Basketball is just the frame story. Hapoel Jerusalem of the season is a unique sociological sporting event. It includes connection, sacrifice, sharing, and love for the leader. It has no ego, no cynicism, and no politics. And when there's a problem, you fix it and don't change players.
Or Cornelius after losing the final // Credit: Jacob Meir, Malaga
Let every player, coach, manager and fan know that it is possible. And it's not far. Within touching distance of here is a real world of pure sports, where you can get excited about the game like we did in third grade, and also when you play it with an adult team in a final game in Europe. Days of magic that are remembered for a lifetime. Jerusalem's wonderful journey stops only at the final, and this is a tremendous achievement.
Fans of Hapoel Jerusalem. Purpose display in Malaga, photo: FIBA website
Jerusalem's problem was that such a team was built correctly and thoroughly and connected to a winning team, with an original coach who inspires. Jerusalem has already successfully faced prodigy point guards Lorenzo Brown, Jacoben Brown, Joe Ragland and Marcelinho Huertas in the semifinals this season, and could have them all. But T.J. Shorts, the league's Player of the Year, is something special.
Cornelius' defense was supposed to be the foundation, but Shorts scored 12 in the opener, like all of Jerusalem combined. And in general, the difference was in the attack, with Jerusalem improvising and scoring points by chance against a smart German defense, and Bonn playing fluently and fluidly. The red dominance in crowd noise didn't help either, and Boone's shots came in at high percentages. With 7 points in the quarter and 28 at halftime, there will be no trophy.
Ty J. Shorts. He couldn't be stopped, photo: FIBA website
Dzikic's adjustments at halftime were not to allow the ball to return to Shorts, because with and without Shorts Boone a completely different team. And especially to wake up the guys and remind them that from here there is no turning back, and this might be the biggest game of their careers.
A team that relies on one-man defense doesn't have a bad day on defense, but its offensive talent is limited, and it hasn't been able to use its relative advantages, especially Zach Hankins, who was weak and confused under the baskets, and Brown, who contributed nothing.
Jerusalem left 8 points on the line, many small misses on defense, critical rebounds that escaped the hands, incorrect defensive exchanges and shooting fouls, which gave gifts to Boone. There is a limit to how much you can give and still win. She was close but far away the whole game.
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So Dzikic won't bring the trophy to his late mother's funeral service, but he can be full of pride for what he created, and hopeful for the playoffs in the Israeli league. All the red Jerusalemites in Malaga and at home have something to be proud of.
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