Hapoel Jerusalem tips-off against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg on Wednesday (21:00) as the Reds will look to move their continental record to 2-0 following an opening day win over Darussafaka. However, The German side will will be trying to do the exact same thing after having downed Bakken Bears in their first game of the competition.

Ludwigsburg is no stranger to Israel as they were in the Holy Land last season when they played Hapoel Holon in the Round of 16 Group Stage, however, during their last visit, head coach John Patrick was manning the sidelines. This time, the German team will have a new/old face on the bench in Josh King who returned to Ludwigsburg as their head coach after having spent three years as an assistant for Patrick before moving to USK Praha last season.

The even keeled King began his coaching career in the United States college ranks before making his way to Ludwigsburg back in 2018 when he took up his first European post and had much success alongside Patrick.

Just ahead of the continental clash between the two clubs, The Sports Rabbi spoke to King about his professional career, how he moved into the coaching ranks and of course how he ended up taking over for a legendary coach in John Patrick and what the expectations he is now facing.

“Once JP (John Patrick) knew he was leaving (he is now coaching in Japan) and I was here for 3 years (2018-2021) they wanted to go with someone who was familiar with the club. I was here and the team was successful during that time and they gave me the opportunity to become the head coach.”

As for goals in the domestic BBL League and Basketball Champions League for the first year in charge of the team, King begins with one that may sound a but surprising but nonetheless a necessity in European hoops.

“It’s early in the year, but the goal is to get better each and every game. Our first goal is always to stay in the league as we are not a huge budget club. Of course, we have bigger aspirations and we want to make as much noise as possible by the end of the season. In the BCL, we want to advance out of our group but there are good teams with Jerusalem and Darussafaka. While we beat Bakken Bears in the first game they are also very good.”

John Patrick’s shoes are undoubtedly very large ones to fill as he was an institution with the club, but King explained there will always be pressure regardless if there had been a long term or short term coach prior while comparisons will also be made between the two.

“Everyone will have pressure at any club that you take over for. There will be pressure to win now and pressure to win right away and it’s no different in Ludwigsburg. I don’t look at it as I am replacing John but I am here to do the best job. Of course, that’s natural. John is an icon in Germany and he had many successful seasons so it’s natural to compare me to a legend as he has that status.”

King was able to learn a tremendous amount form the recently departed Patrick and there was one specific thing that stood out in his education, “The biggest thing is to not overcomplicate things and keep the game as simple as possible. Sometimes we try to over coach but we have to keep our guys fresh and keep them ready to go, mentally clear and ready to attack the offense.”

It was certainly no surprise to learn just how much of King’s basketball philosophy had been influenced by coach Patrick, “It’s completely influenced by him and he’s the only coach I have worked under in Europe and that’s what I know which is the Ludwigsburg way. Tough physical play, hard play, defensive minded and we are a young team which we are struggling with now, but we always talk about stopping the other team. I worked under 5-6 guys so you take a bit from all of them but it’s John who is really the guy form whom I took 95% and 5% from everyone else.”

In high school, King was quite the player himself and was named North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball as well as AP Player of the Year, however, he did not look to turn pro or a career overseas, “Everyone always asks me and back in 2008 I knew nothing really about potentially playing in Europe and had no idea. I wish I would have tried to give it a go and I don’t know what level I would have been able to play at. However, now as a coach I try to show my passion and fight on the sidelines on not between the lines themselves.”

When his playing time was indeed over, King started his coaching career as an assistant at Division III Vasser College which was followed by becoming an assistant coach at a number of other universities including New Hampshire, Marshall and UMass-Lowell. He was also the Director of Elite Camps Hoop Group which had thousands of kids with their own differences and personalities which King had to work with as all of these experiences eventuality led him to Europe.

“I knew that I wanted to stay involved in the sport after playing in high school and college which led me to actually coach in college for 10 years. As for how I ended up in Germany, my buddy was working for John back a number of years ago and he was leaving and recommended me for the job and he offered me the position. We quickly became good friends and colleagues. I took a leap of faith and coaching in college is cut throat but so is in Europe. I wanted to try out Europe and so far it’s been unbelievable.”

As for his thoughts about the upcoming game against Hapoel Jerusalem, King had coached one of the Reds player’s recently and knows that the game will be a challenge for his squad, “I coached Khadeen Carrington and I know Speedy Smith and Zach Hankins. They are very good and have a good home court advantage. I do know that we will have our hands full Wednesday.”