Von Christian Stüwe
The new NBA season is finally in the starting blocks!
To kick things off on October 23rd, the New York Knicks will meet the Boston Celtics – can be seen from 1:05 a.m. on free TV on ProSieben and in the live stream on ran.de, in the ran app and on Joyn.
Seven German professionals will start the new season with different hopes and expectations.
ran took a look at how things went for the German NBA stars in the preseason.
Tristan da Silva (Orlando Magic)
The 23-year-old was the Magic’s top pick in this year’s draft. In 18th place he was chosen to Orlando, where the Munich native completes the German community with the Wagner brothers. For the small forward, his rookie season will be all about making the jump from college to NBA player. The impressions from the preseason give hope that da Silva could succeed in this.
In his home debut on the night from Friday to Saturday German time, he contributed six points, four rebounds and one assist in eleven minutes of play to the Magic’s 114:99 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Da Silva knows exactly what will be important to him in the next few weeks and months. “My main focus is on my defense. I want to make an impression. I have to hit my open shots and make the right decisions,” he explained.
Isaiah Hartenstein (Oklahoma City Thunder)
In the summer, the 2.13 meter man signed a mega contract (three years, $87 million), and the preseason went very badly for him. The center/forward suffered a broken hand in his Oklahoma City Thunder’s 124:94 win against the Denver Nuggets. Hartenstein will therefore be out for several weeks.
The most important thing in brief
Maximilian Kleber (Dallas Mavericks)
The preseason was also a zero for Maxi Kleber. He missed all test matches due to an ankle injury. At least the start of the season is apparently not in danger.
If Kleber, who is often plagued by injuries, manages to stay fit, he could have an exciting season with the Mavericks as a role player alongside superstar Luka Doncic.
Dennis Schröder (Brooklyn Nets)
The point guard just turned 31 years old, but is about to enter his twelfth season in the NBA. The world champion had ups and downs in the preseason, but at the start he impressed in the Nets’ 106:115 defeat against the LA Clippers. In 17 minutes of playing time as a starter, Schröder collected ten points, five assists and two steals. The point guard was allowed to watch in the second half.
The Nets also lost against the Philadelphia 76ers with 95:117. Despite 32 minutes on the floor, Schröder’s output of nine points and four assists was worse than in the previous game. In the final preseason game, the Nets were disenchanted by the Toronto Raptors.
Schröder was on the floor for 35 minutes in the 112:116 defeat and scored twelve points. The veteran will play an important role for the Nets, but the prospects for the coming season are not particularly good for the New York team.
NBA: Raptors demystify Dennis Schröder’s Nets
Daniel Theis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Schröder’s friend Daniel Theis has been playing in the NBA since 2017. The Pelicans are the sixth franchise with which the center is under contract. Theis made his debut in “The Big Easy” successfully; in the first preseason game against the Orlando Magic, he contributed 13 points to the 106:104 victory as a starter.
But points are not necessarily the yardstick for Theis. The world champion does the dirty work under both baskets, something he says he enjoys doing. Theis is an absolute team player and will do his part to ensure that stars like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Dejounte Murray can shine for the Pelicans.
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
In contrast to Tristan da Silva, Franz Wagner no longer has to prove himself in Orlando. He is a superstar, with a corresponding contract. The win against the 76ers was the dress rehearsal for Orlando before the upcoming season, Wagner and Jalen Suggs provided the highlight when the small forward caught an alley-oop pass from Suggs all over the field and converted it with a layup.
The 23-year-old was on the field for 24 minutes, collecting six points and one rebound. The Magic want to have a say in the coming season, and Franz Wagner will undoubtedly play a big role in that.
NBA: touchdown pass to Franz Wagner against 76ers!
Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
While Franz Wagner is the starter, his brother Moritz often had a different role last season. The Berliner came off the bench and was often the spark that reignited the Magic’s game. The 27-year-old world champion will take on this role again in the upcoming season.
In the preseason he logged 16 minutes of playing time against the New Orleans Pelicans and scored nine points. Against the San Antonio Spurs he was on the floor for 13 minutes (3 points), “Moe” received the least playing time (nine minutes) in the dress rehearsal against the 76ers.
That’s not a problem, head coach Jamahl Mosley knows what he has in Moritz Wagner. Together, the Wagner brothers will also take on a mentoring role for Tristan da Silva.
