Tough Loss

Well, it seems that our playoffs hopes are more or loss gone.  We lost to Darussafaka 95-93 at our place.  One of our big guys had a wide open three-pointer with 3 seconds left, but it hit back iron and we went down.  We more or less had to win our last two games to make the playoffs.  It was very possible, but now that we lost today, it looks like we are done after this coming Saturday.  

I played a pretty solid game, but shot the ball less than stellar, ending up with 13 points and a few assists.  I logged another 38 (out of 40 minutes) as well.  I believe I have played as many minutes this season as I ever have.  Definitely not complaining about it, but I am feeling it this late into the season.  

Final game:  this Saturday in Antalya.

Road Loss

We lost yesterday to the second placed team, Turk Telecom,  93-79.  They are a team that is pretty loaded with talent.  They had also lost their last three, so they came out hungry.  We hung right with them for the 1st, 3rd and 4th quarters.  Just got beat by 13 in the second, and that was the difference.

I ended up with 13 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds.  Also had six turnovers though.  They did a good job defensively on me.

We have two games remaining.  If we win them both, I believe we have a good shot at making the playoffs.  If not, the season will probably be over in a couple of weeks.  I’m just hoping to finish strong.  We shall see.

Two Straight Wins

Though we played the second to last place team without their star American players, it was by no means an easy contest.  After all, we were playing against professional, most of whom hadn’t received much opportunity to play all season.  Plus, they were fighting to stay in the league.  But we won, 79-70 over Aliaga.  

I didn’t shoot the ball well and only ended up with 5 points, but did dish out 7 assists.  I am also happy to report that I registered 5 steals as well.  Can’t help but convey that statistic.  

We now play next Saturday against the second placed team, on the road.  Three games remain.  I am still hopeful we can finish well.  If we do so, we have a good shot at making the playoffs.  And after the amount of difficulties we have had this year, that would be nice.

Big Win

Amazingly enough, I have been slow to write this update even though I get the pleasure of announcing the fact that we won against a very strong team on the road last weekend.  Fenerbache was in 3rd place, but we were able to beat them 82-81 at their place.  It was a pleasure.  

Our team was very relaxed.  That helped.  We have been tight for much of the season.  I also played one of my better games, scoring 28 with 6 assists.  And most of all, I enjoyed the game.  We play at home this coming Sunday against a team at the bottom of the standings.  I am hopeful we can get some momentum going to finish the season well.  We shall see…

Two Game Update

Once again, losses are the explanation for the slow nature of my update.  It has been a rather long season, not so much because of the time, but because over the past four months, we have had difficulty finding a way to win.  The last two weeks have been no different.  We lost in overtime a week ago on the road.  And this Sunday, we were winning or close the entire game, until the last 4 or 5 minutes.  

It’s like losing is heading downhill.  So the more you lose, the harder it seems to be to climb back uphill.  Only 5 games remain, so I am praying and working for a strong finish.  

As for my performance:  I played pretty well two games ago, but not so hot the last game.  My legs are feeling the stress of the season, but I am confident I will finish strong.  Our next game is against one of the top teams.  Friday night at 7.  Won’t be easy, but we will give it our best.

Mass Update

I have often said that it is difficult to remain consistent with my updates when my team is losing.  Well, this time also there is a clear correlation between the two.  For it has been a long couple of months.  We are presently 10-13 and fighting for a playoff spot, as we were last year.  We have lost numerous close ones and two in a row.  We now have only 7 games remaining, and we need to do well in order to make the playoffs.  

As of late, I have been playing relatively well.  Not forcing a lot, because the defense on me has been rather focused and physical. My personal averages are about the same as they have been all year, but I am shooting a bit less, which is good.  

We play tomorrow on the road against a team tied with us in the standings.  Needless to say it is a big one.  I will be sure to write an update sooner rather than later…win or lose!

Two Straight Tough Ones

I describe them as ‘tough ones’ because we ended up losing them both.  I suspect that is why I have been slow in posting this update!  It’s never fun writing about loses, particularly when you lose one you definitely needed to win and two you could have won.  But that is how it goes sometimes in hoops.  I have played long enough to realize that and so much more.

Anyhow, we first lost to one of the top teams, Galatasary.  I played horrible.  Scored six points, I believe and made only one FG.  Had nine assists, but if I had to do it over again, I just would have stopped shooting entirely and had 12 assists instead!  I was extremely frustrated with the officiating, because it was horrible, but thankfully did not throw the ball into the seats (which, I must confess, did cross my mind once or twice).  I have a difficult time accepting the fact that the referees refuse to call fouls on defenders who insist on grabbing and using their hands on defense.  That is why playing over here is more difficult than playing in the NBA, but that is for another day.

We returned home and lost to a tough Erdemir team that is towards the bottom of the league.  They are not your normal bottom team, but if we had played to our potential, I think we would have emerged victorious.  I turned it around personally and scored 33 on 11-18 shooting.  Still doesn’t help the loss feel much better though.  We only shot 11 FTs to their 23, but that is all I will say there.  Say much more and I may have a difficult time falling asleep!

This weekend we have a break because of something called the Turkish Cup (which we are not in this year).  It’s been good to have a few days off, but after losing two straight, I am definitely looking forward to playing another game.  That will take place, Lord willing, next Saturday against a team tied with us in the standings at 9-10, Karisyaka.  I will be sure to write an update rather soon after that contest (particular, I confess, if we play well and win).

Banvit 90 Selcuk 89

This update is late in coming, but here it is.  We won a close game last Sunday againt a team we were certainly superior to.  We were leading throughout the contest, but they came back to go up by 3 points with less than a minute remaining.  I got fouled and hit two free throws to tie the game.  Then we got a stop and a teammate of mine made one of two free throws with 5 seconds remaining.  Selcuk then got a good shot off at the buzzer, but it hit back rim.

We really needed this win.  It also felt good because I played one of my worst games of the season.  I just couldn’t find any sort of rhythm to my game, though I did manage 9 assists.  But we won and for that I give thanks.  We now play this Saturday against a strong Galatasary team.  But we can definitely beat them if we play as we ought.

All-Star Weekend

It was a privilege participating in the All-Star this game year.  As I mentioned in my last post, it took place in Izmir, a beautiful city along the Mediteranean Sea.  Thankfully, Erin and the kids were able to come with me to enjoy the game and a short break.

The final score of the game was 130-122, with the Foreign (American) squad emerging victorious.  Needless, to say, I enjoyed the contest.  I ended the game with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.  It was fun getting to know some of my fellow competitors and to play alongside of them.  Also, my teammate, Jason Forte, won the dunk contest.  I was happy for him as well.

This coming Sunday, we play Selcuk at home.  We lost to them the first half of the season (after leading by 20), so I am hopeful we can gain a victory at home.

Losses, Changes, and All-Star Weekend

First, we lost a road game to Darussafaka, a team we definitely should have beat.  Wasn’t easy playing them in an empty arena, however.  Empty arenas actually do serve as a home court advantage, oftentimes much more than half or full arenas.

We then returned home to lose to Antalya this past weekend:  102-92.  We were tied witih them in the standings going into the game, so that was a tough one to drop as well.

Tonight, we loss to the top team in the league on the road.  Efes Pielsen.  96-67 was the final score I believe.

Personally, I have felt good on the court over the pass four games, though I did not finish the game strong this past weekend.   In particular, I have been trying to do a better job spreading the ball around and making everyone better.  Hopefully, that will translate into wins in the near future.

We also have a new player coming in this week, so hopefully that will help.

And finally, this weekend is the All-Star game in Izmir.  I have been selected, along with my teammate, Lance Williams.  I am looking forward to participating.  It’s the foreign squad (Americans I believe) vs. the Turkish players.  Hopefully, the USA comes out on top!  But it will be fun to play in the game either way.

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