Heritage lesson: Without a title with Maccabi Tel Aviv, what will Lorenzo Brown remember from this season? | Israel Hayom

When signing the contract with Lorenzo Brown last summer, after a wonderful season in Kazan, it is reasonable to assume that even the most optimistic members of Maccabi Tel Aviv's professional staff did not believe that the American guard could surpass himself and produce a peak and flourishing season in his career at the age of 32. A year that began with winning the European Championship with the Spanish national team as a leading player, to being a first career choice to the Euroleague Team of the Year.

But alongside his wonderful personal ability, which was also rewarded by a new long-term contract at the club in the middle of the first season, the burden of proof is there and rests on the shoulders of the point guard.

Despite the end of a wonderful season in Europe and reaching a fifth and decisive game in Monaco - a step away from first qualification in nine years to the Final Four - Oded Katsch's pupils enter the month of June without an up-to-date title in their closet, and know that losing a championship and a cup could cast a heavy stain on the personal and historical legacy of their season.

For most of the season, Maccabi Tel Aviv was a one-man team - Lorenzo Brown. His importance in Oded Ketch's setup and its significant dependence suddenly began to remind the hall's occupants of the script of Scotty Wilbekin, who owned the house in yellow for four consecutive years. Dependence on one player, which they tried to reduce after he left.

Lorenzo Brown. The dependence on the season opener was reminiscent of that in Scottie Wilbekin,

From the Cup to Monaco

At the beginning of the season, alongside Brown's peak ability, a question mark hovered around Wade Baldwin and his suitability for the situation – questions that can now be said to have been answered. But in real time, and especially throughout the month Brown missed between January and February due to injury, his importance was heightened even more.

The Yellows suffered three losses in four games in the Euroleague, moved away from the playoffs and even suffered a surprise home loss to Red Star Belgrade at the Menorah Mivtachim Arena. After Brown's return to the court, the duo displayed chemistry and improved ability that quickly put the question marks to rest — but then a new question mark was created.

A week passed, Ketch's pupils reached the State Cup final at the Arena in the capital, losing to Hapoel Jerusalem for the first title of the season. The Guards had a relatively mediocre game, unable to stop their team's loss. Brown contributed 15 points, while Baldwin was stopped for just 10.

Brown in the cup final against Jerusalem. He has already lost one title in Israel, photo: Alan Shaver

Three months passed, and Tel Aviv came to another game of be or stop, this time against Monaco in the fifth game of the play-off quarter-final series – a game they lost in the closing minutes.

While Baldwin answered the critics and showed up in the moment of truth with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, his backline mate disappeared and finished an anemic game with 12 points on 20% shooting from the field, 28.6% from three, 2 assists, 3 turnovers and a reset rating.

What the two games had in common, aside from the pressure, was the defensive method of both opponents, who put pressure and aggression on Brown as the ball carrier by a player bigger and physically stronger than him.

Brown vs James in Monaco. The French were ready, Photo: AFP

The champion is waiting

Last week, the Tel Avivians recorded their 80th game of the season in all competitions since the start of pre-season. Brown, who arrived in Israel immediately after the European Championship and with no time to recover, led his team this year in the number of cumulative minutes played in the Euroleague – 1,105 – and stands second in the factory table with an average of 31.3 per night.

In the local setting, Ketch tried to let his star rest throughout the year, so there he was much less dominant. He played only 14 regular-season games, averaging 22.7 minutes and scoring in double digits in just seven games. But in the playoff quarterfinals against Hapoel Be'Sheva/Dimona, and due to the absence of the injured Baldwin, his numbers jumped from 9.3 points and 9.9 points in 22.7 minutes to 16.3 points and 18.3 points in 26.7 minutes.

Brown and Baldwin. The combination of them does not work enough for Maccabi Tel Aviv, photo: Alan Shaver

In midweek, Tel Aviv will continue their playoff journey in an attempt to regain the championship, meeting the champions, Hapoel Holon, in the semi-finals. The Purples, who had a mediocre season in the European arena and in the State Cup, reached the decisive stages with great confidence and convincing ability.

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While Baldwin's medical condition and fitness are unclear, the Yellowjackets will need Brown in peak form to avoid stumbling in a short, best-of-three series, because he, too, knows that in this moment of truth he will have to perform.

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