Hamburg. There was euphoria among them Hamburg Towers little felt on Monday. The day after the 90:61 victory at s. Oliver Würzburg was “business as usual” in Wilhelmsburg. The team, which had only returned from Franconia that night, had no training, and the office was looking at the upcoming working week. Like every Monday. But in a really good mood, after all, the Towers are in the after two wins in a row Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) in fourth place.
Those responsible know that within the league, the perception of the towers has turned 180 degrees. From the hopeless victim, who presumably only managed to stay up last season because relegation was suspended due to the corona pandemic, to a team that is certified to be a play-off candidate. “The fact that experts say that doesn’t mean anything,” said Captain Max DiLeo defensively on Monday. “In a big city like Hamburg, hype quickly arises. But we’ve only played two games. I’m happy that we bring joy to our fans, but satisfaction can be a first step in the wrong direction. “
Coach Pedro Calles trusts the entire squad
Trainer Pedro Calles (37) will make sure that the desire for success remains great at the Towers. The ambitious Spaniard, who was signed by Rasta Vechta in the summer as one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, has put together a team together with sports director Marvin Willoughby (42) that is suitable for the Bundesliga from the first day of the match. Above all, center Maik Kotsar (23), playmaker TJ Shorts (23) as well as point collectors Terry Allen (26), Jordan Swing (29) and top scorer Kameron Taylor (26) ensure an offensive game that is difficult to calculate. “Over the course of the season, opponents adjust to a style of play. It is important to be able to react to things “, believes DiLeo and praises:” We have a lot of offensive fire power without anyone putting their wellbeing above that of the other players. “
The Towers captain was also surprised that things harmonized so well within the team early on in the season. The preparation was anything but smooth. Injuries and unusual test matches ensured that the Hamburg team never got into a rhythm. In addition, the game in Gießen had to be canceled on the second BBL matchday due to corona cases. “It’s not easy, but we love every game that takes place. These resistances only make us all hungrier for every game. I think the bumpy preparation helped, that we developed an incredible camaraderie because we got through it all together, ”says DiLeo.
Calles does not distribute playing time by name, but by performance
What contributes to the good atmosphere: Coach Calles does not distribute playing time by name, but by performance. Homemade Osaro Jürgen Rich Igbineweka (22), more of a squad filler than a serious alternative in recent years, is also trusted by the coach. On Sunday the youngster was able to record the first BBL points of his career. Even before his time in Hamburg, he had the reputation of being a player-better-maker. If tactical guidelines are not implemented perfectly, the coach grabs his players on the sidelines and corrects them.
The foundation for the so far good start to the season is the defense. After 50 allowed points in the first half against Brose Bamberg on the first matchday, 25 followed in the second half. In Würzburg, Hamburg only allowed 31 points in the first round, and 30 points were added after the break. With 9.5 steals per game, the Towers are the second best team in the league. When it comes to rebounds, too, the Wilhelmsburg team is one of the top teams in the league. With 37.5 rebounds per game, the Calles team ranks just behind the industry leader Bayern Munich (38.0). What was particularly noticeable in Würzburg: Although the team had a double-digit lead for almost the entire game, the players jumped in the so-called hustle plays after every ball. “We want to be the team that it is hardest to play against. That’s how we define ourselves, ”explains Captain DiLeo.
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However, there are playful areas in which the towers have room for improvement. 84 points scored per game are only average in a league comparison. There is also room for improvement in terms of the hit rate. With 48 percent in the two-point throws, the Towers are also the fourth worst team as in the free throws (68.9 percent). The 38.8 percent triple yield is mediocre. “We’re working on that. We are only at the beginning of our development, ”says DiLeo.
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