Maccabi Tel Aviv secured its place in the quarterfinals of the Euroleague last week, and now it remains to find out who its opponent will be in the quarterfinals.
The Yellows will host Real Madrid tomorrow (Thursday) in the closing round of the regular season, and for them anything is possible - certainly when they have what has already been crowned by quite a few commentators as the best back line on the continent - Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin.
Perfect match.
Brown and Baldwin (Photo: Danny Maron)
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In an interview he gave to "Basket News", Brown said he received a phone call in the summer, a few days before he signed with the yellow ranks.
On the line was Baldwin.
"Do you think it would be a good idea to join you?"
asked the American combo guard.
"Obviously!"
Brown replied, and now explained: "We are similar players, but with different qualities. He likes to run, I prefer a slow pace. It helps, because no one knows how to guard us. Once he gets the ball, you can't stop him."
Brown and Baldwin are responsible (through points or assists) for 57.7 points out of Maccabi Tel Aviv's 83.1 points this season for Euroleague play.
"There is no doubt that this is the best back line in Europe this year," noted their teammate Alex Poithers.
"They are very different players with very different characters. Lorenzo is calm, Wade energetic and with great passion. They have a perfect match. They connected very well off the floor as well."
"I can connect with any player," Brown added.
"Wade's character speaks for itself. He's dominant, and knows how to play. It takes pressure off me, and sometimes it's easier to step aside and let him do his thing. He's a great guy, works hard, wants to win. You can't ask for a better teammate."
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"There is no doubt that this is the best back line in Europe."
Brown and Baldwin (Photo: Danny Maron)
When asked who are the competitors for the title of the best back line in the Euroleague, the center replied: "The guys from Partizan. Olympiakos, without a doubt, Monaco, without a doubt. Maybe zero, but they had their ups and downs. Right now, there's no doubt that me and Wade are the best pair Good".
sport
basketball
Euroleague and European basketball
Tags
Maccabi Tel Aviv in basketball
Lorenzo Brown
Wade Baldwin