Oren Amiel made some professional and managerial mistakes that hurt him and led to his early departure, but when analyzing the conduct at Hapoel Jerusalem in recent months - it seems that they did not really help him succeed, and that there was no mistake not made by the club management.
Staff building.
Professionals will tell you that at least 50 percent of the chances of success in a season are already determined in the staff building in the summer.
The evening hours of August 25, when the Reds announced the signing of three players, dazzled everyone a bit and made an unusual summer on any scale, with the squad only completed in September.
Anthony Bennett with Oren Amiel.
A number of critical errors, Photo: Danny Maron
CEO Guy Harel told the former coach over the summer: "It doesn't matter who starts first, it matters who finishes first", but while other teams brought in players (Hapoel Holon closed the squad in early August) and have already started training, training in Malcha included only Israeli players , One or two foreigners and a few youngsters who were called from the youth department and the national league. No wonder the team did not arrive ready for the season opener, or the problems did not arise early when it could still be fixed. To end already in October-November, exactly what is happening now.
Halperin with Chomsky.
The former player inherited the lines, Photo: Alan Schieber
But beyond time, there is also essence.
Amiel's success at Nymburk was due to young and hungry strangers, a strong local base, and high-intensity aggressive basketball with dominant inside players (Zack Hankins for example).
What is built in the capital bears no resemblance to the coach's style of play (nor to the style of play of other coaches), no strong local base, no dominant inside players (so why is it any wonder the team throws 43 threes in a crucial away game?) And most players do not excel in defense.
And what about European experience?
Could it be that a team that aims high in the Champions League, brings in 4 foreigners out of 6 who do not know where they are going?
Anthony Bennett.
"Why would something that failed in Cleveland, Minnesota, Toronto, Fenerbahce and the G-League actually succeed at Hapoel Jerusalem?" A senior basketball man asked immediately after the signing of No. 1 in the 2013 draft. In the ankle and side effects of the vaccine against corona, and even when played did not leave too big a mark.
Anthony Bennett in action.
Unconvincing, Photo: Danny Maron
It is quite clear that the adventurous attempt failed, and the team also had an option to be released from his contract, but one good game in Europe - or rather, one good half - convinced the management to keep him.
Today people understand that it was a mistake, and no less important, that the coach did not believe in him and gave him only five minutes in the important game in Poland.
Israelis.
At Hapoel Jerusalem, a decision has been made in the last two years to significantly reduce the salaries of Israelis and staff the staff with less senior local players than we are used to.
Last season there were still contracts from previous periods, but this season the goal has been completed.
Tamir Blatt was not replaced by any dominant Israeli guard, and the team stated that they trust the young Yuval Schneiderman.
in practice?
The guard received only three minutes before he was injured.
Rafi Manko was on the agenda in the summer, but the team refused to add him and chose to sign Willie Workman, who excels mainly in defense (2.7 points on average in Europe).
Idan Zalmanson did not continue and was replaced by Segev, who earns significantly less.
Amit Gershon, who has so far been considered a pleasant surprise and is also included in the team's extended roster, was a minor player at Hapoel Gilboa / Galil last season, and the senior Israeli is captain Adam Ariel, who averaged 4.8 points in Europe last season.
Adam Ariel flies to the basket.
Not everything is perfect, Photo: Bernie Ardov
In this case, too, the management did not respond.
It is clear to everyone that the Israeli staff needs reinforcement, everyone understands that the position of coordinator is missing, but to the best of our knowledge, Gal Makal, who has been at home for several months, did not even receive a phone call.
"I did not receive any offer in Israel that moved me," the actor told me in disappointment two weeks ago.
For Andorra, a team with pretensions in the Spanish league and the EuroCup, he managed to help in both settings before he was injured, but apparently he is not suitable for Jerusalem.
Stagnation.
There does not seem to be an argument that the construction of the staff has failed and that there is no match between the coach and the players, but part of the role of sports director Yotam Halperin is also to prepare alternatives and know how to react quickly.
The group realized a long time ago that Thoon Maker is not suitable and needs to be replaced.
The losses have piled up, the situation in Europe is almost irreversible, but no new inside player has yet landed in the arena.
On the puzzling delay with Bennett we have already expanded, as well as on the missed opportunity to strengthen the back line and the local staff in one move, and nothing has happened.
This is what a chronicle of failure looks like, and what a poor fan.
Hapoel Jerusalem fans.
What are they guilty of ?, Photo: Berni Ardov
Yotam Halperin will be the fourth coach to stand on the lines since the departure of Oded Katash in January, or in other words - a change of coach on average once every two months.
For the future to look better, a profound and fundamental change is needed in the way we manage and make decisions.
Tonight at 21:00 Hapoel Jerusalem will host Hapoel Holon, and Hapoel Gilboa / Galil will meet Hapoel Eilat at 20:00.