The bodies responsible for Israeli basketball are fighting instead to join hands • Maccabi Tel Aviv promotes young people and may harm them • And the clause in Hill's contract, which worries Hapoel Jerusalem fans • Parshas Hashavua

• Frenkel. Maybe enough?

  Photo: 

  Oren Ben Hakon

Maybe enough?

Israeli basketball has provided a lot of respect in recent months. From the season that ended in suspense and drama and drew interest from around the world, through the departure of Danny Abdia and Yam Madar to prestigious camps in the US ahead of the NBA Draft 2020 to the impressive foreigners who signed here recently. This week to an explosion and leaves a bad impression that will be hard to erase.

At the forefront of the struggle is the number of immigrants from the National League to the Premier League, but the root of the problem is the agreement between the bodies. The union wants to retain their power and decision-making, while the heads of the administration are interested in transferring powers to themselves in everything related to the senior league.

Without currently entering into an argument between the parties, which as stated harms the industry, it seems that this is the worst time for the petty quarrel. Precisely now, in the age of the Corona that is coming upon us badly, a combination of forces is needed to help groups, clubs and youth departments survive the complex period and continue to exist despite all the difficulties.

Recently, the union has initiated several positive moves, such as lowering the registration fees for groups, handling the judging fees, and the administration has pushed for the postponement of the Citizens' Law, and even initiated an initiative to lower the fine on a fifth foreigner as we published. So now is the time for everyone to give up their egos a bit and act in favor of basketball.

got much, got nothing

Idan Alber and Dori Sahar will remain at Maccabi Tel Aviv this season, and the professional team told them that they will get opportunities. Young center Yonatan Atias is also expected to continue, and if there are no new developments in the near future, he is expected to be part of the Yellows' senior staff.

The desire to promote youngsters from the youth department is welcome, and coach Yannis Sapropoulos has shown last season that he is not afraid to give them opportunities. Ask Danny Abdia and Yuval Sussman.

But, and this is a big but, players like Abdia and Sussman do not grow up here every day. If Maccabi wants to take one young player and invest in him - then it is welcome, but two, and certainly three, it is already too much in a club that is so stressed and accomplished. The players themselves - and the club as well - would do well if at least two went on loan and only one remained.

An intelligent bet

Some Hapoel Jerusalem fans were surprised when it was published in the media that their team agreed to include in the contract of Malcolm Hill an exit clause for the NBA and Europe after the Final 8 in the Champions League.

On his face the puzzlement is justified. Isn't the club management worried that in mid-October, right near the start of the season in the league and in Europe, it will be left without its leading scorer? The answer: If the talented forward drags the Jerusalemites to win the tournament and leaves - no one will be angry with him.

Beyond that, the short time window in October comes at a problematic time point for Hill. It is about three months before the start of the next NBA season, and it is hard to believe that teams will make moves at that time on players who are supposed to be 15-13 in rotation. In addition, at that time the Euroleague teams should be already after the start of the season and with closed staffs. So if there is no team that closes with his agents soon, let me estimate that Hill will continue in the capital until the end of the season.