The DBB selection has never started a world championship with three wins. Due to the convincing preliminary round performances on Okinawa, the Herbert team is slowly becoming a medal candidate. Center Johannes Voigtmann from Eisenach is also enthusiastic – and warns of the next opponents.
host Japan easily kept at a distancewhich equals nine NBA professionals spiked Australians brought to their knees and also clearly defeated Finland around Lauri Markkanen – the DBB selection has moved into the 2nd round of the world championship in Asia on the Pacific island of Okinawa under the eyes of legend Dirk Nowitzki with impressive performances.
“I believe that if we do everything that we can influence at an extremely high level, then we have the chance to go really far,” said center veteran Johannes Voigtmann with confidence on Wednesday (30 August) when there was no play sports in the east.
You can rely on the people around you, that gives you security – especially when you are not having a good day yourself, they deliver for you.
DBB Center Johannes Voigtmann | sports in the east
Despite three wins still “Potential for improvement”
But not only the sporting performances of the team of national coach Gordon Herbert make the native of Eisenach enthusiastic, but above all “the way”, he emphasizes. “We work as a team and despite the three wins we still have room for improvement,” says the 30-year-old.
“You can rely on the people around you, that gives you security – especially when you’re not having a good day yourself, they deliver for you.” After winning the European Championship bronze medal in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Cologne and Berlin last year, the team around their captain and leader Dennis Schröder (19.7 points and 5.7 assists), who has been in a good mood to date, seems ready for the next big hit.
Praise for national coach Gordon Herbert
“We have a super deep squad, great team chemistry, everyone was happy and sacrificed for each other. That’s a dynamic you need in team sports – you need people who are happy and fighting for each other. That sounds trite, but then something big can come about,” emphasizes Voigtmann.
That’s a dynamic you need in team sports – you need people who are happy and fighting for each other.
DBB Center Johannes Voigtmann | sports in the east
Coach Herbert paved the way for this phenomenal development. Voigtmann, who played under the Canadian in Frankfurt after his early years at Science City Jena, not only emphasizes the “basketball skills” of the 64-year-old. Likewise, Herbert has an “extreme knack” for forming a team, motivating players and, above all, appreciating those “who don’t make 25 points now.”
Voigtmann’s task: “Conduct a little”
Players like the 2.11 meter long Thuringian, who plays a part in the success that should not be underestimated in the “Big Man” positions alongside NBA players Daniel Theis (Indiana) and Moritz Wagner (Orlando). In his 19 minutes per game so far, Voigtmann has delivered as a robust all-rounder with a good eye and a high hit rate (an average of 6 points with 58.3 percent from the field, 6 rebounds and 3.3 assists) on both sides of the field.
In addition, “my experience in European basketball plays a role. It’s also my job to direct a bit,” explains the Italian champion, newly crowned with Olimpia Milano, about his job beyond pure statistics and adds mischievously: “Of course I’m also relatively tall , that’s why I see a lot.”
Georgia and Doncic’ Slovenians are waiting – hoping for Wagner
The next milestone for Johannes Voigtmann and colleagues is the knockout round in Manila, Philippines. For this, the Germans have to pass the second round duels against Georgia and Slovenia for superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks on Friday (September 1st) and Sunday (September 3rd). “Under no circumstances should we think that we’re already in the quarter-finals,” warns Voigtmann, referring to the French who were highly promoted and then eliminated early.
There is still a question mark over the second Wagner brother, Franz. The NBA shooting star from Orlando suffered an ankle injury from the Japan game. Voigtmann says: “Of course we all hope that he will come back. He is an extremely good player who gives us a completely different variety and plays a big role in our plans.
Maximilian Handel
