Ken’s season preview in the men’s LBBL

The season 2021/22 is about to start. Time for national team head coach and head of basketball of the basketball federation, Ken Diederich, to talk about the upcoming season in the men’s LBBL (Luxembourg Basketball League).

The teams are currently preparing for the start of the season and you are not involved as a head-coach, how has the pre-season been for you so far?
Definitely more relaxed than the years before. But I have to say that I am missing it already, finding out if the professional players fit, getting players ready for a long season, coaching is a lot of fun. However, I am already planning the national team games coming up against Albania and Romania in 2 months. It is always a big joy when the season starts, everybody is excited before the start.

What things will you be looking at specifically this season and how closely do you follow the league?
As a national team head coach and head of basketball, I will visit many players at practice and follow the national team players closely. Hopefully I will find young players that have the potential to make the national team roster over the next years. I will definitely go to one game every weekend and try to see every team.

Which young players will have the chance to become a national team player in the future?
Over the last years, we have always found young players that became important quickly. Last bubble, Mathis Wolff made a huge step with good performances. Malcolm Kreps has the potential to become one of the best players in the country, Mike Feipel and Yannick Verbeelen are already part of our roster, Mihailo Andjelkovic is another player who might be part of the roster again in the future. Furthermore, we had very young players that had good performances in the U20 category like Max Logelin or Ivor Kuresevic. All these players can show their abilities every week and if they play well they will get their chance in our national team. A player like Tom Konen has shown that playing a strong season can help you make the roster. In the end, I will have to see which players can help and improve our national team.

For the first time a new play-off-format will be played. What are your thoughts about that change?
I think the play-off-system (1VS8, 2VS7, 3VS6, 4VS5) is very interesting and it is a good change. This play-off format is also standard in international basketball. It makes it very exciting because a series is always dangerous to play and you have to be aware against any opponent.

Which teams have had the best off-season?
My ex-club T71 has done a great job, they added many players and they have a great dynamic in their roster. In my opinion, they have the deepest roster in the league this season. They are strong enough to play for the championship once again.

Which teams will be the strongest and compete for the title?
Basket Esch will be strong once again because their continuity and I expect the team to be very hungry after losing the finals last season. Esch is definitely one of the favorites, T71 and Etzella also have to be named in that category. T71 because of their deep roster and Etzella will also be strong despite the losses of Ivan Delgado and Jairo Delgado. Arantia Larochette will also be a strong team, they kept their roster and after playing a strong season last year, I expect them to play a good role in the play-offs. When it comes to Sparta, we will see how they can change their playing style after playing without professional players. It will be very exciting because there is no clear favorite and many teams have the ambitions to attack and win a title.

Which teams will struggle to stay in the league?
It is obvious that every teams wants to make the play-offs because then it will be difficult for everybody. Telstar has not won a game last season and they know that it will be hard for them to stay in the league. Every other team is looking to finish under the best 8 teams but obviously some of them will not be able to make it and then it will be hard. Playing against relegation is much harder than playing for the title, you have to be ready for that challenge. The best teams from the second league are playing on a similar level than the bottom teams in the LBBL so that this series at the end of the season will be very interesting.

Note: Because of the modus, up top 3 teams could relegate to the National 2, you can see the full modus here –> The modus for the season 2021/22

Your ex-club Amicale has added 2 national team players with Melcher and Konen, how strong do you expect Steinsel to be?
They will definitely be better than last season. If you add 2 national team players, you are expected to make a step forward. I think that the club wants to play a good role and they will be able to surprise in my eyes if everything works out well. Just for every other teams, a lot will depend on injuries and on how well their professional players fit into the team.

Many players ended their career. Frank Muller was the JICL MVP of the season, who will take over the role of the most valuable player in the LBBL?
It will be a very interesting and close MVP race. Players like Sticky (Philippe Gutekauf) or Bobby Melcher will be at the top of this ranking if they stay healthy. Other players with high potential like Malcolm Kreps, if he stays healthy, Joe Kalmes or Mike Feipel could become factors in that list. Many players will have the chance to win this award in the upcoming season.