Tonight (Wednesday) victory over Monaco was the most significant in the glorious season of Maccabi Tel Aviv. Not only because of the opponent, and not because of the timing after the loss in Moscow, but also not only because of the impressive balance and promising position in the table. From the beginning of the season (and in fact from the end of the previous season) - the transformation process of Scotty Wilbkin, from a lone and monochromatic star who only scores, and whose personal success is contrary to the team's success, to a versatile player who contributes in all aspects of the game. Looked great.A big turnaround shared by all the team players and the coach, but most importantly, Scotty's head.
Maccabi feared that he would be exhausted from the long minutes of the game and the two overtimes against Eilat.
But Wilbkin came up in a storm like wanting to eradicate that apprehension right away, and when the first three came in, it felt like a special day.
Who remembers he was injured ten days ago.
A big part of his motivation seems to have been meeting Mike James.
When Scotty joined Maccabi three years ago, he was considered one of the three stars of the Euroleague, along with James and Shane Larkin.
Larkin has since won the Euroleague, and Mike James has assisted Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Scotty felt a little on the side.
Scotty's brilliant ability also ignited the selfishness of Mike James who started raging on his own, ruining Monaco's fine team play.
Yannis.
Excelled on the lines, Photo: Alan Shiver
This time Yannis Sapropoulos excelled throughout the game, with smart and flexible substitutions, and with offensive adjustments to Monaco's athleticism.
And in tactics - a slight change in the pick-and-roll exercise for the Scot, with two players blocking him, then one rolling in (Reynolds), one going out for shooting (Nanali), and Evans hiding on the side.
Each attack ended in a three-pointer or layup.
When Žižić took over every wrong ball and drowned it, it completed the process.
This helped Maccabi overcome Monaco's 15 offensive rebounds and 13 turnovers.
Usually such numbers lead to a loss, but not on the perfect day of its star.
And despite Scotty's crucial contribution, Maccabi presented a balanced and healthy team.
Moving from the high to the low lineup, from relying on long-range shooting to indoor play and back out, with a lot of players contributing, and each time someone else shines.
In the Clutch Wilbkin was already in the zone and everything went to him.
And still felt team and balanced, especially in the team defense of Mike James who looked miserable.
Healthy condition of a healthy group.
Mike James is shut down by the defense, Photo: Alan Schieber
The struggle between the basketball association and the administration has great significance for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
With all the enthusiasm from Maccabi's game, all the points were scored by foreigners, Roman Sorkin is the only team player to play in it and not much, and for Maccabi the league rules of four foreigners on the field were adjusted, and five or six in form.
The feeling is that we have come out of the balance between the desire to succeed in Europe and the promotion of Israeli basketball.
And it seems to me that there really lies the controversy between the governing bodies, and not an excuse about the number of ups and downs.
And now, as a result of the rush, will the teams avoid sending their Israelis to the national team games at the end of the month?
Under current foreign laws, even Oded Katash and Doron Sheffer would not have won the impressive ceremony and been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Remember Ketchup.
And enjoy Scotty.
It is possible both.