– David Hein
The 2020-21 easyCredit BBL season is over and ALBA BERLIN repeated their crown as they downed FC Bayern Munich 3-1 in the Finals with Jayson Granger taking home the MVP trophy. Berlin lost home court advantage in Game 2 but won Games 3 and 4 in Munich for their 10th league title - pulling into sole possession of second place all-time.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (www.heinnews.com) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Berlin repeat, crowned 2020-21 champs after 3-1 series win for 10th title
ALBA BERLIN defended their easyCredit BBL title and were crowned the champions of the 2020-21 season after finishing off FC Bayern Munich with a 3-1 series victory. Berlin collected their 10th German league trophy, moving them into sole possession of second place on the all-time list behind just Bayer Giants Leverkusen with 14 titles. Berlin became the third straight club to repeat their title following Brose Bamberg (three-peat in 2015, 2016 and 2017) and Bayern (2018 and 2019). ALBA also finally got the best of Bayern in a Finals after having lost to Munich in the Finals in 2014, 2018 and 2019. And it was the second straight season that Berlin celebrated winning the title in the Audi Dome after they prevailed in the Final Tournament 2020 in the bubble in Munich as well.
Berlin fend off Bayern comeback, close out series on road, Granger MVP
ALBA BERLIN fended off a comeback from FC Bayern Munich and secured their 10th easyCredit BBL title with an 86-79 victory on the road to close out the Finals with a 3-1 series win. Berlin never trailed in the game and led by 16 points in the second quarter. But the fourth quarter was tight throughout. Bayern trailed just 80-79 with 10.4 seconds left and tried to send Berlin to the free throw line but no foul was called. After Berlin were able to keep the ball away from Bayern players, Vladimir Lucic eventually was disqualified for his hard foul on Berlin’s Simone Fontecchio with 2.8 seconds left. In addition, Bayern’s Leon Radosevic received two technical fouls in the aftermath, resulting in Marcus Eriksson and Fontecchio both hitting two free throws to make it 84-79. Jayson Granger then finished off the game with two more free throws with 1.4 seconds to play as he led the way with 29 points to take home the MVP trophy for the Finals. Eriksson added 15 points and Fontecchio had 11 for Berlin, who made 26-of-32 free throws compared to 17-of-21 for Bayern and held the hosts to just 42.2 percent from the field. Wade Baldwin paced Bayern with 18 points with Radosevic adding 16 points and JaJuan Johnson chipping in 15 points and 3 blocks. But the starting trio of Lucic, Zan Mark Sisko and Nihad Djedovic combined for just 12 points.
Lo steps up late to give Berlin home win to start Finals
Maodo Lo stepped up big time against his former team as he helped ALBA BERLIN to an 89-86 victory over FC Bayern Munich to win Game 1 of the easyCredit BBL Finals at home. Bayern used a 10-0 run to grab an 82-80 lead inside the final 90 seconds. Lo, who had won the German title with Bayern in 2019, responded with a layup and two three-pointers before adding a free throw for nine points in the final 84 seconds. Berlin made 21-of-28 free throws to Bayern’s 13-of-17 while also holding the guests to just 26.9 percent from long range. Marcus Eriksson drained 6 three-pointers in scoring 23 points while Simone Fontecchio had 18 points and 6 rebounds for Berlin, who got 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from both Lo and Ben Lammers. Berlin leader Luke Sikma was able play for the first time in the playoffs and pitched in 4 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Bayern were paced by James Gist with 19 points. DJ Seeley added 14 points and Wade Baldwin scored 13 points. As part of a pilot project in the German capital, 1,450 fans were allowed into the Mercedes-Benz Arena for the game.
Lucic helps Bayern steal home court advantage with Game 2 road win
FC Bayern Munich wrestled away home court advantage from ALBA BERLIN as the MagentaSport BBL German Cup champions won Game 2 of the Finals 76-66 on the road and even the series 1-1. Vladimir Lucic was too much for Berlin as the Bayern star poured in 26 points, including nine points in an 18-5 fourth quarter run to put the game away. Berlin scored just seven points in the first quarter and trailed by 19 points in the second quarter but came back to make things interesting in front of 2,000 fans, who were allowed to watch the game at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Berlin turned the ball over 19 times and hit just 20.0 percent on three-pointers while Bayern made 52.9 percent from the outside. DJ Seeley added 19 points and Wade Baldwin chipped in 9 points and 7 assists for Bayern. Ben Lammers led Berlin with 15 points while Luke Sikma was the only other ALBA player in double figures with 11 points.
Balance Berlin pull away late in Game 3 in Munich, one win short of title
ALBA BERLIN reclaimed home court advantage of the easyCredit BBL Finals and moved within one victory of repeating the title as they pulled away late for a 81-69 road win over FC Bayern Munich for a 2-1 series lead. In front of 1,300 fans at the Audi Dome, Berlin went on an 11-1 run over 4:30 minutes in the fourth quarter to open a 77-65 cushion and decide the game. Berlin were much more balanced as all 11 players who played scored with Marcus Eriksson and Luke Sikma both tallying 13 points - Sikma also added 11 rebounds. Ben Lammers scored 10 points and three other Berlin players had 9 points. Berlin committed only 8 turnovers and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in dominating the glass 47 to 32. Eriksson was the only Berlin player who played more than 24 minutes while Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri used five players more than 24 minutes and only nine players played. DJ Seeley led the way with 23 points with Nihad Djedovic picking up 12 points and Vladimir Lucic adding 10 points.
Maodo Lo becomes third player with three BBL titles with three teams
Winning titles has become part of Maodo Lo’s DNA it seems as the German international guard helped ALBA BERLIN to the title - the third easyCredit BBL crown for Lo in the past five seasons … with three different teams - Brose Bamberg 2017 and FC Bayern Munich 2019 being the others. By accomplishing the feat, Lo became just the third player to win titles with three different teams in the history of the league along with Holger Geschwindner (Giessen 1967 and 1968; Göttingen 1980; Cologne 1982) and Stephan Baeck (Cologne 1987 and 1988; Leverkusen 1991 and 1992; Berlin 2000). Klaus Weinand also accomplished the feat but some of the league championships came before the founding of the Bundesliga in 1966 (Heidelberg 1961 and 1962; Aachen 1964; Osnabrück 1969). Mike Jackel meanwhile won either the league trophy or German Cup with four different German clubs (Wolfenbüttel 1982 cup; Göttingen 1983 league, 1984 double, 1985 cup; Cologne 1987 and 1988 league; Bamberg 1992 cup).
Zipser undergoes emergency surgery for brain haemorrhage
The whole German basketball community has Paul Zipser in their thoughts after the FC Bayern Munich forward had to undergo emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage. Zipser had initially complained about dizziness in the last game of Bayern’s final semi-finals series with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg and did not play at all in the Finals against ALBA BERLIN. Bayern made a comment to the German news agency dpa about Zipser’s condition following the surgery saying: “Paul is doing good considering the circumstances … We also ask the public for understanding and respect the privacy of Paul and his family in the near future.” All that matters is that Paul gets well.
Frankfurt hands head coaching reigns to Aito disciple Diego Ocampo
FRAPORT SKYLINERS are hoping that learning from greatness makes you great as well as they signed Spanish playcaller Diego Ocampo as their new head coach. The 44-year-old Spaniard signed on a two-year contract with Frankfurt and will become the successor to Sebastian Gleim, who left the club and signed on as HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim’s new head coach. Ocampo becomes the third Spaniard head coach in the easyCredit BBL along with Aito Garcia Reneses of freshly-crowned champion ALBA BERLIN and Pedro Calles of Hamburg Towers. Frankfurt choose Ocampo in part because of his past development of young players. He served as assistant coach for Aito from 2012 to 2014 in Sevilla, where Kristaps Porzingis was learning the game. Ocampo has also worked with Marc Gasol (in 2007-08 in Girona), Juancho Hernangomez (2015-16 at Estudiantes) and Raul Neto (2014-15 at Murcia). Ocampo started last season as head coach at Casademont Zaragoza but was fired from the Basketball Champions League club after a 2-6 start to the season in Spain.
MBC bring back Jovovic as head coach, Pantelic retires to become assistant
SYNTAINICS MBC took the first major step in their preparations for the 2021-22 season as they brought in Igor Jovovic as head coach. The 38-year-old Montenegro native is actually coming back to the club on a two-year contract after having coached MBC from 2016 to 2018 and helping the relegated club get back to the German top flight. Jovovic coached the last three seasons with Stelmet Zielona Gora in Poland’s first division, Telekom Baskets Bonn and as assistant with FC Bayern Munich. Jovovic’s assistant coach will also be a familiar face as club legend Djordje Pantelic has retired and will move to the sidelines. The 36-year-old Pantelic has had a FIBA coaching license since 2016.
MBC add German big man Johannes Richter from Hamburg
After locking up their new head coach, SYNTAINICS MBC added an important piece for their team next season as they signed German big man Johanness Richter. The 27-year-old center is the club’s first addition for next season, penning a one-year deal after coming to Weissenfels from Hamburg Towers.
PAUL IST IMMER DABEI! ❤️#FCBB #Zipser #FürPauli #Reditude pic.twitter.com/AhnnoqtMPZ
— FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBTogether) June 13, 2021
“Mr. Triple-Double” Mahalbasic leaves Germany, signs with Monaco
The easyCredit BBL is losing one of his best players - and biggest personalities - as Rasid Mahalbasic is moving from EWE Baskets Oldenburg to AS Monaco of the French league. Mahalbasic rightfully earned his nickname of “Mr. Triple-Double” for a league record five triple-doubles among his fantastic production in four seasons with Oldenburg. But the Austrian international star was always ready to make those around him laugh with his great sense of humor. Thanks for the memories Rasid … and hopefully we will see you again soon.
Homegrown talent Jonas Richter re-signs with Chemnitz
NINERS Chemnitz provided some relief for their fans as they re-signed with homegrown talent Jonas Richter until 2023. The 23-year-old Chemnitz native has already played 198 games for the NINERS, making him the club’s all-time leader in that category. Richter, who became a regular part of the Chemnitz rotation in the ProA in 2015 as a 17-year-old, was happy to remain with the club. Chemnitz did lose another local player as Leon Hoppe and the club agreed to terminate the final year of his contract so he could move to a ProA team to get more playing time.
Göttingen strengthen low post with Bundesliga blocks leader Hartwich
BG Göttingen strengthened their low post play as they signed German big man Philipp Hartwich on a one-year contract. The 25-year-old joins Göttingen after playing last season with SYNTAINICS MBC, debuting in the German top flight and averaging 4.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and a league-leading 1.7 blocks per game. The 2.18 meter center played the previous two seasons in the Spanish LEB Gold second division.
Bonn, Kratzer agree on extension for next season
Telekom Baskets Bonn and Leon Kratzer will remain together for a second season as the sides agreed on another one-year contract. The 24-year-old center is the first signing for the 2021-22 campaign as new head coach Tuomas Iisalo believes in Kratzer’s potential following a season in which he averaged 5.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Skele signing gives Würzburg flexibility on wing
s.Oliver Würzburg added some flexibility for their wing next season with the addition of Latvian international Aigars Sklele. The 28-year-old Skele comes to Würzburg after playing last season in the Basketball Champions League with VEF Riga of Latvia.
Giessen lock up Germans Binapfl, Nawrocki; bid farewell to three Americans
JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers new head coach Pete Strobl started re-forming his team for his first season with the club as he signed two German players to multiple-year deals while not re-signing three American players. After making his name at Basketball Löwen Braunschweig for giving young German players a chance to play, Strobl seems ready to continue that commitment with Giessen as the club signed Kilian Binapfl on a three-year contract. The 21-year-old former FC Bayern Munich talent averaged 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 26 games this past season with Telekom Baskets Bonn. Binapfl helped Bayern to two titles in the German U19 NBBL league. The other addition was Dennis Nawrocki on a two-year contract. The 28-year-old wing played last season in the ProA and served as captain for Science City Jena. Giessen management meanwhile elected to not offer new contracts to the American trio of Isaac Hamilton, Brandon Bowman and Chad Brown.
Bamberg add German shooting guard Joel Aminu
Brose Bamberg made their first addition for next season as they signed German guard Joel Aminu on a one-year contract. The 24-year-old shooting guard arrives in Bamberg after playing last season in the ProA second division with Phoenix Hagen, where he had played since 2017. Aminu grew up in the Bayer Leverkusen youth ranks and won the U16 JBBL title in 2013 before moving to Ehingen-Urspring in 2015, debuting in the ProB and then playing in the ProA starting in 2016. Last season he averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Germans Abroad
Usually we use this segment to inform easyCredit BBL fans about how Germans are playing outside of the country. But this time, we wanted to let you know that one of the former biggest names of the league is on the move as Elias Harris has signed with Japanese first division side San-en NeoPhoenix. The 31-year-old Harris, who was a long-time captain with Brose Bamberg and then starred at MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg this season before heading to Casademont Zaragoza in Spain, signed a one-year contract in Japan.
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Dritter Feiertag: Empfang beim Berliner Bürgermeister / Meister-Dinner über den Dächern der Hauptstadt
Gesichter der Liga
Dritte Meisterschaft mit drittem Klub: Maodo Lo auf den Spuren von Holger Geschwindner und Stephan Baeck
Pfiff der Woche
