The acclimatized, the better, the disappointing, the injured, the surprising, the bingo, the ace, and the man conducting the orchestra • The first round of the Yellows in Euroleague is over, and this is the time of "Weekly Affair" to talk about the scores

• Sparopoulos and Maccabi Tel Aviv players. Just keep going

  Photo:

  Alan Shaver

As a team, Maccabi Tel Aviv deserves a high score on the first round of Euroleague, which it finished with a number of wins higher than expected earlier in the season. Now, right in the middle of the long journey towards the quarterfinals, it is just time to distribute scores on personal performance, players and professional staff.

Eliza Bryant - Score: 6.5 The first half of the round was the acclimation time of those who stood out last season at Hapoel Eilat. In recent cycles, he has already significantly raised the defense level, and also scored high percentages.

Scotty Wilbkin - Score: 9.5 A huge improvement over last season: impressive numbers, important man-time shots, and even better defense. In three months, he erased the bad impression of 2018/19 and became one of the best players in Europe.

Quincy Acey - Score: 7 Not the most talented player, but probably the player who wants the most. The athletic forward is one of the reasons for the special connection that was made this year in Maccabi Tel Aviv. As time went on, so did his decision making and shooting percentage. Much to his credit the absence of Omri felt less.

Othello Hunter - Score: 9 bingo of the season. At 33, he fought like the young players and missed only one game, though he suffered injuries here and there. His averages in points and rebounds are career-highs, which, gentlemen, says it all.

Hunter. Bingo // Photo: AFP

Omri Caspi - Score: 6.5 Participated in only six games and almost fell into the category of those who did not play enough. However, the good ability in games where he did play was contrary to predictions. The back-to-back forward for a decade in the NBA was part of the offensive rush, adding energy and leadership and putting up fine numbers (12 points per game on average). The problem: the low number of games.

Danny Abadia - Score: 6 Naturally the first part was difficult. The Euroleague is the second best league in the world, so it is not easy for an 18-year-old, as talented as he is, to fit into it. In recent weeks, you can already understand why he should be selected in the first draft of the draft. To his talent everyone is aware, the change has taken place in body language, toughness and defense. All of this is joined by the handsome numbers on offense.

Tyler Dorsey - Score: 5.5 Like many first-time players coming out of the United States, the European basketball season has not been easy for him, but the professional team has found the way to combine and make the most of it. The defense has improved, as have his shooting percentage, but his decision-making is not yet over. Good enough, the constant improvement graph leaves optimism for the future, though it's unclear how high this glass ceiling is.

Sparopoulos. Maccabi returns to track // Photo: Udi Citiat

John Dibertolomeo - Score: 7.5 The start of the season was a direct continuation to the previous season. Guard did not get enough opportunities and coach Janis Spropoulos did not seem to trust him in the European arena. Sometime things changed. In the last five full games before being injured, he played 16.4 minutes and scored an average of 11.4 points. Too bad his peak season ended in injury.

Knight Walters - Score: 7.5 Not many were enthusiastic about this summer's first signing, but whoever was named a "substitute coordinator" took over the first coordinator's position and made all the members next to him, especially Wilbkin, better. To all this he also added good protection, an aspect that was doubtful about him.

Jake Cohen - Score: 5 In the opinion of many is the best Israeli in the Premier League. In Euroleague, on the other hand, it has difficulty at the physical level. Not a coincidence in most games, he got less than 10 minutes on the hardwood. The feeling is that he is capable of more in Europe too.

Tariq Black - Score: 6 Beyond the prolonged injury and feeling that Othello Hunter would have played more, even in the 11 games where the huge chin played was not at his best. He scored less than last season and lower percentages, kept less well and also took fewer rebounds.

Sussman. Maccabi wants more of him // Photo: Udi Citiat

Yuval Sussman - Score: 6 In most games this season he was the best defensive player in one of the best defensive teams in Europe. Offensively, however, he displays instability. The season's opening was stuttered, followed by some excellent games that showed great potential, and in recent times he is again in decline. In the second round Maccabi wants to get more good games off the attack.

Janis Spropoulos - Score: 9.5 Maccabi Tel Aviv couldn't find anyone better to get her back on track after a few tough seasons. The Greek coach did a great job despite the injury, and started winning even close games. With a win or two in the next round, the score may Be even taller.

Didn't play enough to score: Angelo Cloyaro, Sandy Cohen.