2006 BBL Playoff Quarterfinals

[robbe]

Bauermann knows all the tricks. He possesses a good feeling for what he is allowed/not allowed to do by the ref's/organisation. That is why this guy is a totally different coach in the euroleague, where he and his players are not nearly as aggressive, because the refs would never allow that. In Germany, he, the national coach, and his team, have the talent to test out how far they can go, and they will go as far as they need to win a basketball game. As long as the league is not handling things more strictly, he will always continue that thing. Plus, as long as there is success, he doesn't care about the method. He will use his position as german nationalteam-coach for influencing officials, but he will never see the need to be a role model for kids, players, upcoming coaches...whatever. It's all about success.

As for Meeks, he certainly deserves the suspension. He's a sympathic guy, but the reaction was clearly over the top. Hamann's, Wisniewski's and Helmanis' bans are imo a bit harsh. Paravinja was silly, so he might deserve it, but didn't Ensminger too? For the foul, the following provocation against coach Koch, and the play-acting after Paravinja joined in?

It wasn't a real brawl, just a little bit of pushing. What got the teams the media attention was the fact that they ended up playing four against three. Substract that, und we wouldn't have had the media writing about this game. Just my opinion.

[Trifilli]

Bauermann knows all the tricks. He possesses a good feeling for what he is allowed/not allowed to do by the ref's/organisation. That is why this guy is a totally different coach in the euroleague, where he and his players are not nearly as aggressive, because the refs would never allow that. In Germany, he, the national coach, and his team, have the talent to test out how far they can go, and they will go as far as they need to win a basketball game. As long as the league is not handling things more strictly, he will always continue that thing. Plus, as long as there is success, he doesn't care about the method. He will use his position as german nationalteam-coach for influencing officials, but he will never see the need to be a role model for kids, players, upcoming coaches...whatever. It's all about success.

That's exactly the point and I agree 100%. What annoys me so much is that in the situation with Paravinja both he and Paravinja got ejected (in the Video I saw the ref standing next to Paravinja: he whistles and puts both wrists in the air - disqualifying foul against Paravinja. And then Bauerman comes running over the entire court, yelling like mad at the ref, the ref whistles again and puts both hands up in the air again - disqualifying foul against Bauermann) - but only Paravinja got a suspension because of unsportsmanlike behaviour, while Bauermann can sit on the bench in the next game, despite the fact that what he did was not less unsportsmanlike than what Paravinja did - and Bauermann even said in a Radio Interview that he wanted to be disqualified on purpose, to show his players that he backs them up...
But Bauermann once again used his influence to avoid a suspension and the BBL didn't have the ball to finally punish him, this is just sad.

As for Meeks, he certainly deserves the suspension. He's a sympathic guy, but the reaction was clearly over the top. Hamann's, Wisniewski's and Helmanis' bans are imo a bit harsh. Paravinja was silly, so he might deserve it, but didn't Ensminger too? For the foul, the following provocation against coach Koch, and the play-acting after Paravinja joined in?

Imo all of the guys deserve their suspension, Meeks definately for his attack against Helmanis and for chasing Hamann, Hamann for tackling Meeks from behind after the attack against Helmanis and Wisniewski for tackling Hamann. Helmanis was in the brawl as well, and its not easy to see whether he attacks somebody or just tries to stop the fight - but as there was a ref inside the brawl, standing next to Helmanis, I suppose that he saw it the right way. As for Paravinja - it's a bit harsh but he was indeed silly and shouldn't have reacted to Ensmingers provocation, so 1 game might be ok. I miss Ensminger on the list however. What he did was unacceptable as well, not leaving the court after his 5th foul but walking around for a bit and then straight to Bonns bench, trying to have a "chat" with Bonns coach Michael Koch - and then the cheap acting when Paravinja only touched him a little bit...he fell down like a rock hit him

It wasn't a real brawl, just a little bit of pushing. What got the teams the media attention was the fact that they ended up playing four against three. Substract that, und we wouldn't have had the media writing about this game. Just my opinion.

Dunno, that may have added to the media interest but a brawl itself already is something the media (and the people who see it of course) is interested in. I agree that it was nothing big (lets say compared to the Partizan - Hemofarm story recently or some things I've seen in Greece ) but still enough to attract peoples attention, as its not that common in Germany (not only in Basketball but in german sports in general). Without all the disqualifications there wouldn't have been that many talks about the game most likely, but I guess that the pictures would've still been on TV. What may have added to the interest as well was Hamanns injury during the brawl and the blood on his hands - this was one of the first scenes the "Morgenmagazin" showed for example.

[german]

Do You know what is for me shock? German fans! Any fan didint stund up! Everybody only see !!!

I think this was the best of the brawl!
The fans was shocked and the fans was angree. But they know what they have to do. Nothing
After the game many fans from both teams discuss about the scene and the game, but evertything fair. They know both teamplayers made bad decisions (and the refs too ). And this was not good for the german basketball.

Congratulation to the fans in the hall!

[Zalgirinis]

I think this was the best of the brawl!
The fans was shocked and the fans was angree. But they know what they have to do. Nothing

What was announcer in the hall shouting during the brawl? I heard it in one of the videos.

[robbe]

I think he was trying to call back a Bonn player (John Stark, who usually plays for our fourth division side), who was leaving the bench and risking a disqualification.
After that, he told the guys to calm down a bit.

We'll see what happens in game 3 today. I'm pretty sure the players will give their best to make it a fair game. PREMIERE even changed their schedule(they planned to show ALBA-Oldenburg) to show "the game after the scandal". We'll, I guess that's what makes the people watch, not just good basketball.
Bonn has one starter(the inconsistent Perincic), five bench players(mostly guys who know how to drain the open Jumpshot, but can't handle the ball and, besides Terry Black, are not strong on the boards) and 2 guys from the 4th Division side left, whereas Bamberg will most probably start Phelps, Garrett, Archibong, Nelson, Ensminger - this looks like it will be huge a blowout. Honest, I like those guys playing for us, but they're 10-20 minutes per game - roleplayers, nothing more. I'd be surprised if the difference stayed under 30.

It will be interesting to see how ALBA reacts to thursdays loss in Oldenburg. This was not planned, and if Oldenburg wins this one, disaster strikes for the once german basketball dynasty.
Cologne will close out the series at home against Ludwigsburg.
Bremerhaven-Quakenbrück is a wide open game again.

[Trifilli]

RheinEnergie Cologne - EnBW Ludwigsburg 92:66
Topscorers Cologne: McGowan 22pts (4rbds), Nadjfeji 16pts
Topscorers Ludwigsburg: Green 13pts, Jazvin 13pts (8rbds)

Series 3-0 for Cologne, Cologne advances to the Semifinals

GHP Bamberg - Telekom Baskets Bonn 76:64
Topscorers Bamberg: Archibong 15pts (6rbds, 4 TO), Begley 13pts (5rbds, 4ast)
Topscorers Bonn: Janza 16pts (4rbds), Tomeljak 15pts (4st)

Series 2-1 for Bamberg

Eisbären Bremerhaven - Artland Dragons 94:87
Topscorers Bremerhaven: Jacobson 20pts (4rbds, 3ast), Jones 17pts (4ast)
Topscorers Artland: Lampley 22pts, Bulic 19pts

Series 2-1 for Bremerhaven

Alba Berlin - EWE Baskets Oldenburg 83:77
Topscorers Berlin: Greene 21pts (4rbds), Stanojevic 19pts (5ast)
Topscorers Oldenburg: Penigar 25pts (10rbds, 3st), Edwards 23pts (6rbds, 3ast)

Series 2-1 for Berlin

[woma]

Oldenburg is putting a tough fight against Alba. Could somebody write about style of Desmond Panigar is playing? Does he play more SF or PF?

And is there anybody here, who can record games from Premiere?

[Trifilli]

Some more Quarterfinal results:

Telekom Baskets Bonn - GHP Bamberg 60:70
Topscorers Bonn: Paravinja 16pts (6rbds), Tomeljak 12pts
Topscorers Bamberg: Ensminger 13pts, Begley 12pts

Series 3-1 for Bamberg, Bamberg advances to the Semifinals. The BBL reduced Bambergs suspensions for the recent brawl. Hamann will only miss game 1 of the Semifinal Series vs Cologne, while Helmanis can play rightaway again. Pretty ridiculous decision, especially in Hamanns case.

EWE Baskets Oldenburg - Alba Berlin 83:79
Topscorers Oldenburg: McCoy 36pts (9rbds, 6 TO, 4st), Valters 15pts (5rbds, 5st, 3ast)
Topscorers Berlin: Price 20pts (6rbds, 6 TO, 4ast, 3st), Stanojevic 15pts (8rbds, 5 TO, 3ast)

Series tied 2-2. Alba should start getting nervous, having to go into game 5 vs a team like Oldenburg definately is no good sign.

Artland Dragons - Eisbären Bremerhaven 74:59
Topscorers Artland: Bulic 26pts (7 TO, 6rbds, 4st), Rivera 14pts (4ast)
Topscorers Bremerhaven: Wallace 17pts (8 TO, 7rbds, 3st), Fenn 10pts (6rbds)

Series tied 2-2.

[robbe]

The guys did me wrong, playing great basketball without our three best players against Bamberg. Nice ending to a turbulent season.
Well, Helmanis being "freed" and Hamann's ban set back to three games...that is kind of strange. The BBL said in their Press Message, that they didn't use any new material, when they investigated the "brawl" for the second time, so they didn't look at the videos. They just asked all the officials, players and whitnesses once again, but now we have a completely differnt result.
Critics say, the BBL wants their dream-final Bamberg-Berlin, I'm not sure about that, but it's all very strange here. Okay, I'd be laughing my socks of if Oldenburg beats ALBA today and Cologne beats Bamberg in the semis.

ALBA ist struggling. They don't play defense, which is what I expected, but I didn't think they would lose 2 times against Oldenburg, who were totally out of shape a few weeks ago. On Tuesday Penberthy was back, but I don't think he is the solution. Every game in this series has been close, and I wouldn't be too surprised if Oldenburg beat ALBA in game 5 today. I'm not a fan of Don Beck's team's American style of playing, but that would be exciting.

Bremerhaven are awaiting Quakenbrück at home, this is 50-50. But I think home advantage will help Bremerhaven advance.

[robbe]

Oldenburg is putting a tough fight against Alba. Could somebody write about style of Desmond Panigar is playing? Does he play more SF or PF?

And is there anybody here, who can record games from Premiere?

Well the Penigar-Edwards combo...their roles are not really defined. Edwards is starting at the 4 spot primarily, but he's around on the perimeter very often. Penigar is quicker and starts as SF, scores from all over the floor. Haven't seen Penigar too often though(he has played only 4 games in the regular season).
He is much more athletic than Edwards, and the latter forces way too many outside shots. Penigar is attacking the basket as well as making shots from the perimeter. He's a big matchup problem for ALBA, despite struggling in game 4. Whitehead is not at 100% yet, and other guys are too small. That's one of the territorries where ALBA's missing Matej Mamic, who'd be the perfect fit.

[robbe]

ALBA and newcomers Bremerhaven advanced to the semifinals yesterday, beating Oldenburg and Quakenbrück in decisive Game 5.
ALBA crushed their guests 110:82 behind 23 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists from point guard Hollis Price. Sharrod Ford had 16 and 8, plus 3 blocks. "Dollar-Bill" Edwards scored 25 and 9 for the "Thunderbirds", Tyrone McCoy, coming off a 36-point-night in game 4, had 17.
Bremerhaven against Quakenbrück was a more defensive-minded and very tense affair, ending 64:61 after Marco Bulic's missed three-pointer at the buzzer. Bulic led the Artland Dragons with 13, Darren Fenn scored 14 for Bremerhaven, who are having a sensational season and will clash with ALBA in the upcoming semis.
In the end, all teams having home-advantage succeeded.

The Semifinals:
GHP Bamberg (2) - RheinEnergie Köln (3)
Bamberg will miss Hamann in game 1. Cologne plays the more attractive basketball, but Bamberg is still tough to beat. Beating them three times will be difficult. Plus, I do think Michael Jordan at PG is the weakest part of Cologne's game. I'm going with a 3-2.

ALBA Berlin (1) - Eisbären Bremerhaven (4)
Never ever underestimate the heart of a...newcomer. Bremerhaven has played great all season. They will have huge problems when facing foul trouble though. If they manage to keep their starting players on the floor, I see a chance for them. ALBA is weak defensively and all in all not a great playoffteam. There might be a huge upset, but I'm going with another 3-2.