Miracle man Joe hailed by Fab Flournoy
Dec 24 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
FAB Flournoy has hailed Joe Chapman as the Newcastle Eagles own “miracle man” after his latest scoring feat.
Sharp shooter Chapman has become an internet sensation after footage of his incredible “wonder shot” from last Friday – scored from within his own three-point line – circulated on websites and was shown on the BBC’s breakfast show.
It was the most viewed piece of footage on the corporation’s website this week and has been shown internationally too.
That has brought the Eagles man to a wider audience but as Flournoy points out, breathtaking shots have become the norm this season for the razor sharp Chicago native.
He scored twice from inside his own half against Glasgow in the Eagles first game of the season and repeated it against Sheffield. Joe has made a regular thing of draining threes from impossible angles when the pressure is on.
“It was a miracle shot. I’ve seen them before but never in a game I’ve played or I’ve been at,” Flournoy said.
“It wasn’t just him pulling a rabbit out of the hat – he pulled an elephant out of the hat. That is such a difficult shot to make from that kind of distance.
“What was intriguing for me was that he actually went for it. Most three point shooters wouldn’t have gone for it because it goes on your stats as a missed shot. I know Bridgey (Andrew Bridge) probably wouldn’t and I wouldn’t have gone for it.
“Because at the end of the day it’s an incredible shot but it only counts for three. It says a lot for Joe and the confidence that Joe has in his own ability that he went for it.
“People probably watch it and think its a fluke but Joe has been hitting those points all season. He did it twice against the Rocks and then followed it up against Sheffield the week after. He is an incredible shooter of the ball and I’m glad the wider world knows that now.”
Ironically, the internet viral may actually harm the Eagles chances of keeping him in the long term – with scouts sure to take notice of any player capable of that kind of shot.
Chapman spoke at the start of the season of pushing his career on next summer, and with the great Miami guard Dwyane Wade in his family he certainly has the connections.
It is impossible not to be impressed by Chapman’s determination too. Having spent the summer working on his fitness, the devout Christian has actually delivered better performances than in his first season, when he scooped the Basketball Journalist Association player of the year award.
Flournoy doesn’t doubt he has the ability to play as high as the NBA, although he points out size may be a problem for the Eagles man.
“There are a lot of players in the BBL that have the skill and capability to play in the NBA or in the higher leagues in Europe – Joe is one of them,” he said.
“He’s got the ability – no doubt about that in my mind – he’s got the work rate and the right attitude and he’s got the connection in Dwyane.
“And he’s got a good agent who knows the right people too.
“But does he have the size? Joe is doing what he’s doing and he’s 6 ft 3ins – there are other players in those leagues who are 6 ft 6ins or 6 ft 7ins.
“So I don’t know whether that is something that will hold him back. He’s not the only guy on our roster who could play NBA – I think Charles (Smith) and Trey (Moore) are as good as guys in those leagues but maybe again it’s their frame that has held them back.
“Lynard Stewart was a perfect example. If he had been two inches taller, every single NBA team would have taken a chance on him. He was that good.”
