Johnny O'Brien: "I left because of a lack of communication" Israel today

Just before he meets the Yellows tonight, beloved ex Johnny O'Brien tells Israel Today why he did not continue with Yad Eliyahu: "Professionally, not everything went well, but the team members were amazing."

• Johnny O'Brien.

  Does not intend to forget the hand of Elijah

  Photography: 

  Alan Shiver

In the summer of 2018, Maccabi Tel Aviv landed Johnny O'Brien, after playing four seasons at the NBA Forward / Center. - and brought in another forward from the NBA, Quincy Acey.

At that time O'Brien (27) did not find a team in the best league in the world nor in the Euroleague, so he went for the big money of Locomotive Cuban in Russia.

In the summer, the Russians extended the player's contract for the current season as well, but in September he left due to "family reasons".

About a month and a half ago, O'Brien returned to the Euroleague, signing for the Red Star Belgrade.

Tonight he will return for the first time to Menora Mivtachim Hall and meet his former team.

"I had a good season in the EuroCup, but returning to the Euroleague is exciting," he says in an interview with Israel Today, "I was dominant there, now I want to show that I can do it at any level."

"Maccabi fans are crazy"

"The time at Maccabi Tel Aviv was amazing for me," O'Brien recalled. "Professionally, not everything went well, but the team members, the coaches and the city of Tel Aviv were just amazing.

You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for this team - and I'm glad I did. "

"Yannis (Sapropoulos; YM) is one of the best coaches I have played for," O'Brien continues, "he is an amazing person and the leader of the team.

From the moment he arrived in the middle of the season, it was really fun to play for him. "

Are you still in touch with people you knew that season?

"I always get a lot of love from Maccabi fans. I can say that I still receive messages from them that I will return. It is important that people appreciate what I have to offer. That is what I want to know."

If you enjoy Maccabi, why not continue for another season?

"That's a great question. There were a few reasons for that, but the main one was a lack of communication. My representation was not good at the time, and things did not go as I had hoped."

A lot of times exes come with motivation to beat their former team, is that your way too?

"Not exactly. Our main goal is to win. We really want to win every game and of course Maccabi as well. I want to help my team win, that's all."

How strange would it be for you to enter an empty hall?

"Everyone knows that Maccabi fans are crazy and love basketball. Without them, it would be different from what we know."

As mentioned, for four seasons O'Brien played for the NBA, two of them in the Milwaukee Bucks uniform, alongside one of the biggest stars in the world, Yannis Antocompo.

During the conversation he tries to analyze the steps of the "Greek freak", who has not yet announced where he will play next season and leaves the whole league in suspense.

"I do not know what he will decide, but I know him and know that most of all he wants to win and win titles. If Milwaukee can put him on a good team, he will stay. If not, he will look for another place to play."

When will we see you back in the NBA?

The desire to go back there is in my mind all the time.

I know that if I prove my game and my body, it will happen one day. "