“A player like this Gist would be something for us too.” Uli Hoeneß said that back when he was president of FC Bayern and consequently also the top basketball authority of the major Munich club. Since then, a bit of time has passed into the world, which you can already see from the fact that Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sarah Brandner were turtling in the stands in the Audi Dome and his friend Steffen Hamann tried the same thing on the playing field with the playground equipment. It was on September 29, 2011, and the very young professional division of Bavaria inaugurated its new home that evening – previously the Olympic ice rink had been extensively prepared for basketball before each game. As an opponent, the Munich had invited a top European team for the occasion: Fenerbahce Istanbul had traveled from Turkey to bring a bit of spectacle to the brand-new FCB jewelery box.
Bojan Bogdanovic was there, for example, who shortly after moved to the NBA, where he still plays today. Or that center named James Gist, who flew through the hall with long dreadlocks and stuffed the ball through the ring into the basket again and again. Which not only impressed Uli Hoeneß.
The game against Moscow is a good chance for rehabilitation for the 76:83 in Athens, says the coach
Hoeneß has long been President hc, but still an interested supporter of the basketball players and a welcome guest in the hall. So one can safely assume that he has heard that his wish will soon be granted. Because this James Gist is about to sign a working paper with Bayern. The dreadlocks are long gone, meanwhile the 2.04 meter tall American is 34 years old and shaved short; but the former NBA player has recently shown with Euroleague competitor Red Star Belgrade that he is always a reinforcement at the highest continental level. And currently without a club. A commitment until the end of the season in Munich would be an option.
Especially since the burden on Bavaria continues to increase. In December alone, the people of Munich travel all over the continent, with eleven games in the Euroleague and Bundesliga (BBL) on the program. After all, they don’t have to travel this weekend. Bayern only received Khimki Moscow on Friday evening before BBL competitor BG Göttingen (both 8.30 p.m.) made a guest appearance in the Dome on Sunday.
Khimki is one of the financially stronger teams in the competition. A year ago, for example, the Russians recruited game designer Stefan Jovic and audience favorite Devin Booker from FC Bayern. After the early termination of the preseason due to the corona pandemic in March, NBA center Greg Monroe also preferred to move to the Russian metropolis rather than return to Munich. As a result, three former Bayern key players will travel to the former employer for a guest appearance, although the game at FCB will be a special one especially for Jovic: The point guard has not played a single game this season. In general, Khimki Moscow is one of the teams that the virus has particularly affected so far. Traded high before the season, the Russians initially had a B selection at the start because numerous players were in quarantine or injured, the first five games were all lost with such a weak replacement. A game was postponed and the club is now in last place in the table with a record of 2: 8 wins.
Given the elitist squad, Khimki lags far behind his own claims. In addition to the former Bayern players, players such as Alexey Shved, who is one of the best in the entire Euroleague, or long-time NBA professional Jonas Jerebko are on the team. The Munich team are in fourth place with a 7: 4 balance, but last showed one of their weaker performances at 76:83 in Athens. For FCB coach Andrea Trinchieri a good opportunity to make amends: “We have had a very bad game in which we denied our identity. We have to come back now, but this duel is a great opportunity against a super talented team that really does everyone Can defeat opponents. “
James Gist is certainly not an issue this weekend. Of course, managing director Marko Pesic recently participated in a podcast Magenta Sports announced that the squad will be improved soon. It can be considered certain that TJ Bray will not be part of this for too long. The Guard is already associated with the Spanish first division club Saragossa. Trinchieri hadn’t paid much attention to Bray in previous games, neither in the BBL nor on the international stage, the American had repeatedly revealed weaknesses on the defensive. Such deficits are not tolerated by the maestro for too long, because defensive work plays the central role in Trinchieri’s idea of successful basketball. James Gist would certainly give him more pleasure – the rebound is one of his strengths.
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