Ludwigsburg. Coach John Patrick is thinking about saying goodbye to the MHP giants Ludwigsburg – and seriously. That has been clear at the latest since the Bundesliga basketball team confirmed negotiations on Monday about an early end to the contract with the 54-year-old successful coach, which actually runs until 2023. On Wednesday, at the press conference organized by the giants, the focus will be less on the upcoming play-off semifinals at Alba Berlin on Friday and much more on the fuss about one of the most formative personalities in the club’s history. While rumors in recent years, such as Patrick’s possible engagement as national coach, were still rather vague and customary in the industry, it now seems as if Patrick’s relationship with the giants is really breaking down. A move to Japan is now considered very likely.
This would end an era for the giants. Before this began, the MHP giants were still called Neckar Riesen and, shortly after Patrick’s appointment, only stayed in the Bundesliga thanks to a wild card.
From relegated to the third strongest force
From sporty relegation, Patrick has formed the giants into the third best force in German basketball. In 2020 they won the runners-up championship, last season the main round championship, in 2018 and 2022 they made it into the final four of the Champions League. However, a title never jumped out. The budget of the giants is too small for that, compared to the sizes of the league from Berlin and Munich. Because it takes more than just a year to form a champion team. In addition to a good coach, such a team also needs an excellent mix of chemistry, class, experience and, above all, consistency.
John Patrick may have also noticed that this is hardly possible in Ludwigsburg and that he has already achieved everything that is possible. Because success was accompanied by bloodletting year after year. A strong team falls apart season after season, star players leave the club for financially stronger clubs and the fans long for something like a figure they can identify with. The only constant in John Patrick has always been on the sidelines.
It would be understandable if the American, who recently also had German citizenship, thought he was on the limit and now wanted to build something up in another country, as he did recently in the baroque city in his role as coach and sports director.
Maximum success with a small budget
Most recently in Ludwigsburg, he got the maximum out of the available funds. It is questionable whether there is even a concept with which this would be possible with the giants. “Feared and proud of it” was the motto of the Ludwigsburg team in recent years, which was by no means an empty platitude given the defensive and aggressive style of play of Patrick’s squad. Now the giants can and must build a new image for themselves should a new coach and sporting director come along.
But to generate so much sporting success even just to begin with is the big challenge. Because a successor will be measured by the performance of “JP”. And in the MHP Arena, the fans are now used to play-off basketball.
There is a danger that the giants will slip back into midfield. However, there is an opportunity to win back fans who have never been able to make friends with the giants’ defensive style and to create a spirit of optimism.
