Home Sweet Home

As I type the title of this blog, I question whether or not I really mean that. Follow me on this for a second. I love being around my family, I love spending time with my friends from America, and there's nothing I love more than my mother's cooking...but is this my home? I'll be moving into my beloved New York City in a few weeks (after a short west coast stint) but is NYC my home? In recent years, I always had a internal countdown until I got back to America. Partly the break from basketball, partly the taste of Angela  Boone's Fried Chicken, partly the chance to ride around in my younger brother's Toyota Scion and hear stories about his adventures in college...but this year it wasn't the same. I used a "rehabbing excuse" to stay an extra week and a half but the truth of the matter is I didn't want to "go home" because I was "at home." And having a chance to see how good "Winning It All" felt...I did not want to leave Gottingen.

For those of you that don't know how the season ended...I'll try my best to be descriptive but understand every word I type is a little more painful than the last...

So we do enough to secure home court advantage in the opening Best-Of-Five game series. We are a lock at the number 3 spot and are awaiting an opponent. Up until this point in the season we'd only lost two games at home (one in the Eurochallenge and one in the regular season) making us feel extremely confident that we could beat whoever we played. Turns out, due to a conflict of schedule, our home gym, the Lokhalle, was being used during the first day of the Leagues playoffs so we had to travel to a neutral site. Our nervousness was calmed by the fact that we'd bring our home court floor/baskets and 2000 fans. Game 1 was a blowout in our favor. Game 2 rolls around and we're sure that if we can get this W the series is just about over...to come back and beat us 3 in a row (with two of them at home) is a task that no team in the league could have possibly done but unfortunately we didn't come out ready to play and this time the blowout was in their favor. So game 3 rolls around, all knotted at one game apiece, it's back home, we're thinking about what happened last season (where we won the first game and then got beat 3x in a row) but we fought our way through a tough battle and ended up taking the 2-1 lead in the series. Closeout game...on the road, don't want to have to play a game 5 so we come out in game 4 ready to finish it up. Had a solid lead but they hit some big shots down the stretch (and also shot 50 fts as a team) so we're forced to come back home and play a fifth game. Although we blew a lead in game four, we were supremely confident going into game 5...I mean it was at home, the place was sold out, and we were watching the number 1 seed lose to the number 8 seed, the number 2 seed lose to the number 7 seed and the number 4 seed lose to the number 5 seed...meaning if we won game 5 we'd be the highest seed left and secure home court advantage throughout...but we weren't able to make that happen...and the worst part is that we were winning by 12 with 3 minutes to go...shortly after that I fouled out and was forced to watch our opponent come back more and more...it was a pretty helpless feeling and as I watched that last shot go up and fall in at the buzzer I was in complete shock that we had just been eliminated.

So being home is bittersweet because I'd give almost anything to still be in the hunt for a title...and I hadn't realized until I got back that nothing here is enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, the season wasn't all bad, we had a ton of success and even won the EuroChallenge championship but there's no feeling worse than feeling like you've left something undone...

Takin' Over The City

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

It's A Celebration B*tches

 

Do What You Do       Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

The Greatest Joy

As my eyes opened this morning, champagne on my breath, hangover creeping into my head, I couldn't help but think of how much excitement I felt last night. And no it wasn't just because the Russian Cheerleaders were dancing to my favorite song. This excitement was deeper than that.

As a basketball player, I've been a part of some good teams and some not so good teams but throughout it all I've had a chance to meet people who will remain my friends for life. And some of my biggest basketball joys have been playing in a highschool sectional final with my friend Jalil, or Tear(ing) It Up with my boy Jared...even winning the ECAC final with the likes of Basford and DeCorso. But as memorable as those teams were, I don't think I've ever been apart of a team as special as the one I'm currently on.

People say we're having a dream season, people say we're exceeding expectations, but it's like that Nike commercial I posted the other day "this isn't a math test...this is a completely different kind of test...one where PASSION has a funny way of trumping logic" ( <--if you haven't seen that commercial then click that link immediately). And because we play with so much passion, it's only fitting that we were able to win this EuroChallenge championship.

But it's more than just being crowned a champion that's getting to me right now. It's finally understanding those lessons that your parents teach you growing up. The whole "if you work hard enough you can do it" lesson...remember that one? I've been fortunate in a sense that some things in my life came easier than others...mathematics for instance was always my best subject...besides lunch and gym. I never studied a day in my life for a math test and practically aced right through it...but when it came to English or Social Studies I usually found myself in a bit of a struggle...so the 80's and 85's I got on those tests were usually a little more gratifying than the 95 100's I used to get in math. It's just the feeling of actually going out and earning something rather than just having it given to you.

In high school we used to schedule the weakest teams around for our Tip Off Tournament so we would show up, get a few wins..hoist a trophy or a plaque up and then begin to play the actual regular season. But it was always known that we were expected to win...but with this team I'm on now...no one outside the 15 guys in that locker room and the best fans in the world would have EVER given us a shot to win this title. And because of that, it is so much sweeter.

My only goal right now in my life is to feel that sense of accomplishment again...and luckily I don't have to wait until next season...because the German playoffs are right around the corner...time to get even more focused...

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

Final Four In The Lokhalle

...in case you didn't see it on FibaEurope yesterday...

FIBA Europe announced on Wednesday that the 2010 EuroChallenge Final Four will be staged in Göttingen, Germany between April 30 and May 2.

Hosts BG Göttingen will take on Roanne Basket from France and Russian outfit Krasnye Krylia play against Scavolini Pesaro from Italy in the two semi-finals.

"We are happy to come to Germany for one of our events for the first time in many years," commented FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos.

"I am sure that Göttingen will be a formidable host and their Lokhalle will provide a special atmosphere, suitable for a European Final Four."

"Göttingen have a strong tradition in Germany and have proven throughout the year that they are a very professional organisation that will put a lot of effort into their EuroChallenge campaign" added FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

"I am looking forward to seeing four determined teams meeting in the heart of Europe to become the EuroChallenge champion."

The city of Göttingen in the German state of Lower Saxony is famous for its Georg August University that has seen a total of 44 nobel price winners.

It is also a traditional basketball stronghold in Germany and Göttingen fans are said to be among the most enthusiastic in Europe.

The exact times and order of the games will be announced later as the television agreements are currently being finalized.

Find out more about the EuroChallenge Final Four on www.fibaeurope.com.

...and No this is not an April Fool's Day joke...at least I hope it's not...

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback       ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. FMP Belgrad (Game 2) 76:71

Goettingen became the second team to reach EuroChallenge Final Four. The German team held off FMP in Serbia to sweep the quarterfinal series. Taylor Rochestie once again shone for the visitors with 25 points. The first frame proved decisive in this one. FMP led 10:8 after five straight points from Jeremic. But Goettingen capped the period on a 17:2 run to take a 25:12 advantage. Taylor Rochestie and Jason Boone stretched the gap at 14-point mark midway through the second period. The visitors maintained the lead and entered the second half ahead by 14 points 42:28. Goettingen stayed confidently in front early in the third stanza but FMP managed to rebound late in the period. The hosts triggered a 12:0 run to get within one. Meeks and Jason Boone went perfect from the stripe to give some breathing space for Goettingen. However Nemanja Protic crowned the frame with a trey to drag FMP within two points 54:56 with ten minutes to go. Branko Lazic drew things level at 58 just over a minute into the fourth term but Chris Oliver and Taylor Rochestie exploded with 8 points in a row to restore a comfortable cushion for Goettingen. The seesaw action continued when Branko Lazic and Samardziski knotted things up at 68. Meeks followed with three free throws to put the German team back in the drivers seat. Nemanja Protic answered with a jumper but Jason Boone and Taylor Rochestie sealed the winning outcome in the dying moments. Chris Oliver produced 15 points for Goettingen. Jason Boone knocked down 12 points in the winning case. Nemanja Protic responded with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 boards for FMP. Branko Lazic had 14 points in defeat.

View Highlights Here

FMP ZELEZNIK BEOGRAD (Coach: Djurovic, Vlado)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
13	Raduljica, Miroslav	36	4-13	0-0	1-2	3	5	8	2	3	0	1	9
14	Protic, Nemanja	29	1-3	4-10	2-2	1	3	4	6	3	0	0	16
4	Covic, Filip	26	1-1	1-6	0-0	0	4	4	3	2	3	0	5
10	Lazic, Branko	25	3-3	2-4	2-3	0	1	1	1	4	0	0	14
11	Radetic, Bojan	17	0-0	1-4	2-2	1	2	3	1	5	0	0	5
20	Jeremic, Mladen	20	0-0	2-7	2-2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	8
21	Samardziski, Predrag	20	1-1	0-0	6-6	0	0	0	1	3	2	0	8
12	Dimic, Milos	12	0-0	1-2	0-0	0	0	0	2	3	0	0	3
5	Stefanovic, Sasa	7	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
6	Milutinovic, Andreja	7	0-0	0-0	1-2	0	2	2	0	0	1	0	1
9	Stamenkovic, Svetozar	2	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Stamenkovic, Pedja	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			11-24	11-33	16-19	5	17	22	16	24	7	1	71

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
10	Rochestie, Taylor	38	5-11	4-8	3-4	1	4	5	2	2	2	0	25
23	Oliver, Chris	30	4-9	2-5	1-2	1	4	5	0	4	0	0	15
11	Little, John	28	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	3	4	0	4	1	0	0
21	Boone, Jason	27	5-9	0-0	2-2	4	5	9	1	4	1	0	12
5	Kulawick, Robert	17	0-0	0-4	0-0	0	2	2	2	1	0	0	0
30	Jordan, Antoine	26	2-2	0-0	2-2	1	2	3	3	2	2	0	6
7	McNaughton, Christopher	18	4-5	0-1	2-2	1	3	4	0	2	1	0	10
15	Meeks, Michael	16	0-1	1-2	5-6	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	8
8	Welzel, Tobias	DNP - Coach's Decision
25	Schiecke, Jan	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			20-39	7-21	15-18	10	23	33	9	20	8	1	76

Do What You Do       Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. FMP Belgrad (Game 1) 75:69

Goettingen made the first step towards EuroChallenge Final Four. They held off FMP in the opening game of the quarterfinal best-of-three series. Taylor Rochestie scored 24 points and pulled down 6 rebounds to lead the charge. The teams looked well matched in the starting frame. The lead changed hands for several times in the period before Antoine Jordan drew things level at 16 ten minutes into the encounter. Boone and Robert Kulawick helped the hosts gain a 7-point lead midway through the second stanza. Little drained a triple to ensure a 10-point advantage for Goettingen. But a pair of triples from Bojan Radetic triggered an 11:0 run from the visitors as they surged in front. Taylor Rochestie capped the half with a layup to give Goettingen a 41:40 advantage. The teams stayed close throughout the third quarter. Bojan Radetic and Jeremic allowed FMP to enter the fourth term ahead by one 56:55. Little and Chris Oliver quickly denied the deficit early in the fourth period and Goettingen jumped in front. Meeks and Taylor Rochestie ensured a 68:62 advantage for the home team with under four minutes to go. Protic and Raduljica cut the distance to minimal before Taylor Rochestie and Robert Kulawick exploded with 5 points and Goettingen ran away for good. Antoine Jordan delivered 11 points for the winners. Robert Kulawick and Chris Oliver were helpful with 9 points each. Predrag Samardziski notched 15 points and 11 rebounds for FMP. Bojan Radetic accounted for 13 points in the loss.

View Highlights Here (scroll down)

FMP ZELEZNIK BEOGRAD (Coach: Djurovic, Vlado)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
13	Raduljica, Miroslav	31	4-7	0-0	4-7	1	5	6	3	4	0	0	12
4	Covic, Filip	30	1-2	1-3	2-2	1	2	3	2	0	0	0	7
11	Radetic, Bojan	27	2-3	3-7	0-0	0	1	1	2	2	0	1	13
10	Lazic, Branko	23	2-3	0-0	1-4	1	0	1	0	4	0	0	5
5	Stefanovic, Sasa	12	0-0	1-3	0-0	0	1	1	3	2	0	0	3
14	Protic, Nemanja	23	1-1	1-2	2-2	1	1	2	2	5	0	0	7
21	Samardziski, Predrag	22	6-9	0-0	3-4	3	8	11	1	3	0	0	15
20	Jeremic, Mladen	20	3-5	0-5	1-2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	7
12	Dimic, Milos	9	0-2	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	0	3	0	0	0
6	Milutinovic, Andreja	3	0-0	0-1	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0
9	Stamenkovic, Svetozar	DNP - Coach's Decision
15	Musli, Dejan	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			19-32	6-21	13-21	7	21	28	13	26	0	1	69

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
10	Rochestie, Taylor	39	5-13	1-7	11-14	5	1	6	3	1	0	0	24
11	Little, John	32	2-5	1-3	1-1	0	2	2	3	4	1	0	8
23	Oliver, Chris	31	3-8	0-3	3-4	0	5	5	0	2	0	0	9
21	Boone, Jason	28	3-6	0-0	1-5	5	5	10	2	4	0	1	7
5	Kulawick, Robert	21	0-0	3-4	0-0	0	1	1	0	3	1	0	9
30	Jordan, Antoine	25	2-3	2-2	1-2	0	2	2	1	4	2	1	11
15	Meeks, Michael	14	0-1	2-3	0-0	1	1	2	0	4	0	0	6
7	McNaughton, Christopher	9	0-2	0-0	1-2	1	1	2	0	1	0	0	1
8	Welzel, Tobias	DNP - Coach's Decision
25	Schiecke, Jan	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			15-38	9-22	18-28	12	18	30	9	23	4	2	75

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Note To Self: Don't Enter The Russian Dunk Contest

Okay so last night we began the EuroChallenge Top 8 and got the advantage by getting the first win. But that blog will follow. This blog deals with a team we played to get to this point (Krasnodar) and a big time ex-NBA player that they had on their team (Gerald Green). We should all know by now that if players don't stick in the NBA that they come to Europe and try to stay financially taken care of until they get another shot but who would have thought that two of the best ex-NBA dunk contest participants would get the chance to meet in one of the best Dunk Contests I've ever seen halfway around the world? I, for one, was very impressed...what about you?

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

It Begins Tonight

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. Eiffel Towers Den Bosch 86:57

Goettingen won Group I of EuroChallenge as they stormed past Eiffel Towers in the last game. The German side needed 86:57 twin the group with 5-1 record. It was a game with little riding on it as Eiffel Towers were already eliminated while Gottingen had already sealed top spot. The German side opened the game with 7-0 run and enjoyed 25:8 at the end of the first period. The second period was also won by the favorites that improved to 42:21 at the halftime. Blackwood nailed three to open the third frame and Frazier scored for 48:30. Oliver scored from the perimeter for 64:37 after three quarters. Later in the game the teams were just killing time as it became clear about the result. Jordan with a jump shot made the final score to advance with his team to 1/4 Finals. Rochestie Taylor and Jacobson Ben top-scored for the winners with 19 points each. Jansen Rogier netted 15 in defeat, while Jansen Rogier and Akerboom Kees had 12 apiece. In the Quarterfinals of EuroChallenge will face FMP Belgrade that clinched the EuroChallenge Quarter-Final Round ticket with a comprehensive 81:55 victory against Belgacom Liege. The Serbian team finished second in Group J with 4-2 record, while Liege finishes with 1-5 record.

View Highlights Here

EIFFEL TOWERS DEN BOSCH (Coach: Beck, Don)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
21	Blackwood, Tristan	33	3-3	2-7	0-0	2	3	5	8	4	1	0	12
4	Jansen, Rogier	30	3-4	3-7	0-0	0	0	0	3	4	3	0	15
12	Akerboom, Kees	28	0-2	4-8	0-0	1	2	3	1	3	1	0	12
13	Wessels, Stefan	24	0-2	1-5	0-0	1	0	1	0	1	1	1	3
14	Beasley, Jerome	20	3-9	0-0	1-3	3	2	5	1	3	4	0	7
6	Richardson, Anthony	26	1-4	0-3	6-6	0	3	3	1	1	2	1	8
8	Van Paassen, Peter	19	4-8	0-0	2-2	0	6	6	0	0	0	1	10
15	Aarts, Marcel	8	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
11	van Vugt, Jeroen	7	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0
5	Waaldijk, Sonny	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	Frederiks, Jos	DNP - Coach's Decision
10	Steenvoorde, Djoenie	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			14-33	10-30	9-11	8	17	25	14	17	13	3	67

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
23	Oliver, Chris	21	2-5	1-3	4-4	4	4	8	2	3	0	2	11
5	Kulawick, Robert	19	0-0	2-3	0-0	1	1	2	2	1	0	0	6
13	Frazier, Chester	17	1-3	2-4	0-0	0	4	4	2	0	1	0	8
11	Little, John	17	2-3	1-1	0-0	0	2	2	1	0	2	0	7
21	Boone, Jason	13	2-4	0-0	0-0	4	3	7	2	5	0	0	4
10	Rochestie, Taylor	28	3-5	3-6	4-4	1	7	8	3	0	0	0	19
12	Jacobson, Ben	25	4-8	3-4	2-2	1	1	2	4	2	2	0	19
30	Jordan, Antoine	20	1-4	1-2	0-0	1	3	4	2	1	1	0	5
7	McNaughton, Christopher	20	2-4	0-1	0-0	0	2	2	0	1	2	0	4
15	Meeks, Michael	19	0-1	1-3	0-0	1	1	2	1	1	0	0	3
25	Schiecke, Jan	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Total			17-37	14-27	10-10	13	28	41	20	14	8	2	86

 Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. Kransye Krilya Samara 89:68

German Goettingen overcame Krasnie Krilya for the top position in Group I. Taylor Rochestie paced all the winners with 22 points as Goettingen celebrated 89:68 victory. Both sides traded baskets throughout the majority of the opening period, but 7-0 run gave the hosts 25:16 at the end of the first period. The visitors could not be shaken off that easily as they stayed in touch throughout the remainder of the half. Biggs made it 27:24, while Oliver scored for 36:26. Jason Boone was the last to score at the half for 42:39 home side advantage. In the second half, the visitors kept themselves in touch through Luis Flores and Marcus Douthit baskets. Goettingen again played better at the end of the period and enjoyed 66:54 after thirty minutes. In the final period the visitors could not get themselves back into the game and lost the period 14-23. McNaughton made the lay-up at the end for the final 89:68win. John Little posted 15 for the winners and Boone nailed 14. Flores responded with 16 points in the losing effort. Marcus Douthit notched 15, while Zelenskiy Gannadi was responsible for 12 points. The Russian side dropped at 3-2 record on the second position.

View Highlights Here

KRASNIE KRILYA SAMARA (Coach: Mikhailov, Mikhail)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
15	Flores, Luis	35	6-8	1-3	1-3	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	16
14	Vasylius, Valdas	33	4-5	0-3	2-2	1	3	4	3	2	0	1	10
33	Zelenskiy, Gannadi	29	3-5	2-4	0-0	1	2	3	0	2	0	0	12
25	Douthit, Marcus	28	6-11	0-0	3-6	3	4	7	2	5	0	0	15
10	Voronov, Eugeny	24	3-4	0-0	2-3	0	2	2	1	2	1	0	8
8	Biggs, Ralph	31	0-0	1-3	0-0	0	6	6	4	3	0	0	3
21	Karaulov, Sergey	12	2-2	0-0	0-0	2	1	3	1	2	0	0	4
13	Trushkin, Andrei	4	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0
6	Ivanov, Andrei	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	0
30	Yakovenko, Artem	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Khloponin, Denis	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			24-35	4-13	8-14	7	20	27	13	19	1	1	68

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
21	Boone, Jason	30	5-7	0-0	4-8	4	4	8	3	2	2	1	14
23	Oliver, Chris	29	3-8	0-2	0-2	4	5	9	0	1	2	1	6
11	Little, John	28	3-4	3-4	0-0	0	2	2	2	3	3	0	15
13	Frazier, Chester	26	3-5	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	3	3	2	0	6
5	Kulawick, Robert	8	0-0	1-1	0-0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	3
12	Jacobson, Ben	30	2-4	1-7	3-3	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	10
10	Rochestie, Taylor	22	5-5	4-6	0-0	0	1	1	1	2	1	0	22
7	McNaughton, Christopher	11	2-4	0-2	2-5	3	1	4	1	3	2	1	6
30	Jordan, Antoine	9	1-2	0-1	2-2	1	0	1	1	1	1	0	4
15	Meeks, Michael	7	0-0	1-3	0-0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	3
8	Welzel, Tobias	1	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
22	Anderson, Dwayne	DNP - Coach's Decision
Total			24-40	10-26	11-20	12	15	27	16	19	13	3	89

 Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

Fan Etiquette

I know I've fallen off of the blog game for a little bit but my life has been a little busy as of late. I'm in the middle of solidifying a ridiculous music collection, I'm patiently waiting for the Just Wright movie trailer to drop, our season has picked back up (with a not so friendly travel schedule) and I've developed a new addiction to Reality TV and Primetime shows. But those are no excuses and if you are patient I'll be back to my former self very shortly.

A lot of things have been going on but the thing I want to talk about today is Fan Etiquette. I'm all for fans taunting, heckling and badgering the opponents. It's takes a mentally strong athlete to be able to overcome constant banter from spectators and still excel on the court or field. I've dealt with my fair share of "crazy fans" during my playing days. Junior year at the University of Rochester was the worse (I wore knee pads and was told that if I didn't (insert explicit way to say give fellatio) I wouldn't need those knee pads). Well that was the worse until a recent trip to Cyprus where I witnessed what happens when fans take their verbal abuse (acceptable) to the "next level." Here is how it went down...

The Proteas AEL team has not lost a home game all season, and that's in both the EuroChallenge and their domestic league. The first time we played them, in Germany, we 30 pieced their asses. So obviously, they are going to be ready to stay undefeated at home and get us back for the whooooping we put on them. Unfortunately for them and their 250 fans we were up twenty points going into the fourth quarter. When they started to make their last push to come back and make a game out of it, their fans attempted to intimidate us with cursing (in German too) and screaming. It just so happened that we got some calls in our favor down the stretch and the Cyprus fans absolutely lost it. They were throwing coins and water bottles on the court but more than that they were spitting on us. That was when I thought to myself, the referees need to do something here, this is getting out of control.

Well my teammate Ben Jacobson went up to one of the refs...and the following dialogue ensued

Ben: Excuse me ref, these fans are spitting on us

Ref: Yeah I know, they are spitting on us too

Due to some clutch plays down the stretch we were able to leave Cyprus with a win and our lives but this just got me thinking about why some fans feed the need to cross that line? Is their loyalty to the team that strong? Do they not know any better?

I've had to chance to play for some great fans, the best being here in Gottingen and I would never expect, no matter bad the calls were, or how intense the game got for sensible fans to take it to that "next level." So to all of you people out there that will attend a sporting event of mine, the next person that spits at me or one of my teammates is going to get knocked the f*ck out. Haha I'm just kidding...or am I?

Do What You Do       Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...