Basketball Bundesliga: MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg with a tailor-made start – Sport

In the end there was still a small drop of bitterness: Justin Johnson missed a free throw and thus destroyed the 100 percent quota from the “line”. Otherwise, however, the start of the season in the basketball Bundesliga was a tailor-made start for the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg under the new coach Josh King. There was a 100:86 victory at the MLP Academics Heidelberg on Sunday – as a reminder: In the successful past season there was one more defeat there. With the almost newly formed team, such a strong lead was not necessarily to be expected, but the giants played well on defense from the start and also accurately from distance (in the end there was a 40 percent quota). “We had a very good first half for us and playmaker Eric Washington under control,” said Josh King. “The people of Heidelberg did a good job and never gave up.”

But even when they shortened in the final phase, Ludwigsburg was able to increase again. Particularly strong: Prentiss Hubb, with 27 points he was the most conspicuous player. Which was quite surprising. After all, the American came straight from a college team as a rookie – and initially only on a trial basis during preparation. But on Sunday he knew how to convince right away and said: “We are newly put together, but everyone helps the other.” Was he surprised by his performance? Not necessarily: “I know my potential,” said the 23-year-old playmaker, “but the whole thing is also a process.” It has been successfully started once, and at least that doesn’t harm self-confidence. Ten players were able to enter the list of points, which also speaks for a certain breadth in the squad. However, it remains to be seen against stronger opponents whether the style of play without a real center will remain successful.

The chance to do so is already available on Tuesday (8 p.m.) in the MHP Arena at the start of the international Champions League against the Bakken Bears. Sounds like a solvable task on paper, but one shouldn’t underestimate the Danes, they knocked out the favorite team FMP Belgrade in the qualification – which would have brought at least a few more Serbian fans into the hall. So the away win of the giants has to be enough as advertising.