Caspi broke new ground in a long career at the NBA • Tapiro reached the top even without passing through Maccabi Tel Aviv and hung up his jersey at the age of 41 • Burstein was a critical element in the European control of the Yellows • In a special project
Burstein in a Maccabi uniform. Rare game wisdom
Photo:
Alan Shiver
Caspi is celebrating. A rich career overseas
Photo:
IP
Tapiro in Jerusalem uniform. Example and role model
Photo:
Alan Shiver
"Israel Today" is launching a ratings project that will accompany us in the coming weeks, and through it we will summarize and analyze Israeli basketball in the 2000s. In Part A, the five best Israeli basketball players in the last 20 years were ranked, not including citizens (a separate and special ranking will be dedicated to them).
1. Omri Caspi
In numbers: 10 seasons in the NBA, 588 games and 7.9 points on average. 3 Israeli championships, the state cup, the top five of the season and the sixth player of the season.
In short: there are a lot of people who have done great things, but there are not a lot of breakthroughs. Those who were the first to do something special. Omri Caspi is a pioneer in Israeli basketball. He is the first to reach the best league in the world, something that many and good before him have not succeeded. He opened the door for others, and his influence will be remembered for many years to come. Caspi stood out from a young age, but it must be admitted that there were others who were marked as more talented, and what characterized and distinguished him from the rest were the determination, perseverance and hard work. Thanks to them he got as far as possible. The first place deserves and suits him and was received almost unanimously. Until Danny Abdia proves otherwise.
financial. Break the Road // Photo: Berni Ardov
2. Meir Tapiro
In numbers: Player of the Decade (2010-2000, player of the season, Israeli king of baskets, 3 times in the top five of the season, 4 times king of assists, winning the state cup, participation in 5 European championships, 121 appearances and 1,098 points In the Israeli national team uniform. Since 2000, there has been no Israeli player who has provided more assists than him (2,080) and he is also ranked second in points (4,390) and steals (570).
In short: Meir Tapiro is an example and role model for every young Israeli actor, who has proven that with game wisdom, passion and perseverance it is possible to get from the Krayot to the main stage and the heart of the Israeli consensus - even if the physical data is not something to tell at home. And even without playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Tapiro played until the age of 41, right up until the last minute the body allowed, his career lasted almost 23 seasons and from an early stage until his last seasons he was one of the leading Israeli players. Had it not been for Omri Caspi's breakthrough at NBA .I, Tapiro would surely have manned the first place in the rankings.
Tapiro announces retirement. Hang the tank top at 41 // Photo: Alan Schieber
3. Tal Burstein
In numbers: 3 European Championships, 10 Israeli Championships, 8 National Cups, 3 Winner's Cups, the Adriatic League Championship, the discovery of the season, participated in 4 European Championships and scored 1,158 points in 113 games in the Israeli national team uniform, and even served Captain, 9.3 points on average in the Spanish league.
In short: how many Israeli players can say that at the age of 20 they have already started in the Maccabi Tel Aviv quintet in the Euroleague final? Few. Tal Burstein can. In that year he was also called up to the Israeli team for the first time ( Relative to Israeli players, the wisdom of the game, the excellent defense and the ability to complete huge stars like Anthony Parker, Sharonas Jasikevicius and Ariel MacDonald have given Burstein a place of honor in the history of Israeli basketball.
Burstein celebrates with Shelef the victory in the Euroleague in 2005 // Photo: Alan Schieber
4. Wave stick
In numbers: the second Israeli in the NBA, two Israeli championships (not with Maccabi Tel Aviv), two state cups, twice a player of the season, 3 times the top five of the season, the discovery of the season, the current captain of the Israeli team, who participated in six European championships.
In short: Gal Makal is probably the most mentally strong player who has been here for many years. Not many can boast of a respectable international career like his, during which he survived injuries, illnesses and unpleasant incidents. And here at the age of 32 he is a key player in a senior European team like Malaga and serves as captain of the Israeli national team. Stick is the first to arrive at the training complex and the last to come out of it, and on the parquet is one that always makes the players next to him better.
Stick. There is something to applaud // Photo: Alan Shiver
5. Guy Pnini
In numbers: one Euroleague championship, 3 Israeli championships, 11 state cups, 5 winner's cups, the Adriatic league championship, the top five of the season.
In short: if we were looking net for quality, there are some better players left out of the top five. But Guy Pnini is the biggest winner here in the last 20 years and one of the biggest winners in the history of the game in the country. He will do everything (sometimes even cross the limit) for the victory. He is a player that every fan wants in his team, and can not stand when he is on the opposing side.
As the difficulty level increases and the important games come, Pnini raises the individual and team level. It is no coincidence that he survived so many years at Maccabi Tel Aviv, when many other good ones did not withstand the pressure and fled quickly. The winemaking, the strong character and the fact that he has been a key player in Israeli basketball for a decade and a half put him in the top five. Equally good and talented players.
Pnini celebrates winning the Euroleague in 2014 // Photo: Alan Schieber
Rankings: Oded Shalev, Eli Stern, Eli Sahar, Avi Segal, Ido Eshed, Aviv Cohen, Yaakov Meir
