The departures of Jacob Brown and Tychon Thomas have significantly damaged the Cup holder's championship aspirations • But the capital does not lower its head and build on Jeremy Fargo's energies to the final touch
Brown and Thomas. Jerusalem aims to manage without them, too
Photo:
Alan Shaver
1. Just over a week ago, Hapoel Jerusalem seemed to be in the league's best renewal, and many thought it was the favorite to win the championship, thanks in part to the good matchup with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The Reds returned six of their seven outsiders (Shalvin Mack had made it clear at the outset that he did not intend to return to Israel). James Paladin played a part in the persuasion, the special connection in the dressing room had a big meaning, and the management worked overtime - and according to some factors, even talked about upgrading to some of the returns.
But everything has changed in the past week. Jacob Brown found it difficult to cope with the isolation and distancing from the family in the wake of the US riots and left, joining in recent days Tyson Thomas, who has made it clear to the club members in the current situation that he has difficulty concentrating on basketball.
Paladin. Tried to leave his friends in the group // Photo: Bernie Ardov
2. Except for Paladin, the two who left are the key players in the team and left a big void that would be difficult to fill. Symbolically, they both lead the team in the efficiency index with the same figure 18.1 - index points. In addition, Brown is first in points (15.4 assists (5.9 in penalties) (4.9) and fumble (4.2) and second in minutes (26.2 only Paladin played more).
Thomas first in shots and in percentage to 2 (8.1 percent), 67.5 rebounds (6.4 rebounds (0.9, 0.9 like the Zalmanson era)), and for those who have already forgotten, excelled in the FIBA Champions League With 21.3 index points and was the leading candidate for the factory MVP.
Fargo in Maccabi uniform. Building on his character // Photo: Alan Shiber
3. In Hapoel Jerusalem, of course, they were disappointed with the departures. They also understand that without the two stars it will be very difficult to beat the Maccabi and win the championship, especially when the Yellows have managed to bring back all the leading and healthy players, but they do not take their heads off.
Brown instead came during the Bezeq Jeremy Fargo, which Oded Ketch wanted. In Jerusalem, remember the positive change - both in energy and professionally - that the veteran coordinator brought to Maccabi in the 2017/18 season and in fact dragged it to the championship, after it was already on the boards following the early impasse from Europe. Building on a similar script and perhaps the motivation of The player, trying to close a small personal account with the yellow ex, who parted with it in slightly jarring tones.
By the way, Ketch, after it became clear last weekend that Thomas would not go either, the coach approached CEO Guy Harel and told him that the challenge was now greater. The Reds were not expected to bring a replacement, and Emmanuel Terry would try to fill the Forward big shoes, which is set to play next season in the Euroleague team. .
4. Apart from determination and belief, Jerusalem is making great efforts to ease the isolation conditions on foreign players as much as possible. First, make sure they are on the lot as much as possible, to shorten the frustrating stay in homes.
In addition, the club's heads have submitted to the Ministry of Health a group of recreational activities in which players can participate in capsules outside of training time, thus relieving them of loneliness in the coming month and a half. The answer from the Ministry of Health is due soon.
