Maccabi Tel Aviv is still in the midst of the struggle to regain the championship in Israel, but its Euroleague season can already be summed up and defined as a success. BusquetNews did just that, analyzing last season on the yellows with an eye to next season.
"Although elimination in the quarter-finals of the playoffs may be interpreted as a missed opportunity for the club to return to the top of European basketball, Maccabi has still achieved some equally important goals along the way," they wrote. "First and foremost, it raised the level of interest around the group to high levels, like in its big days. With Oded Katsch on the sidelines, David Blatt as a key man in the club and rotation players such as John DiBartolomeo, Roman Sorkin and Jake Cohen, it is clear that the Israeli identity in the team is stronger than in years past. On the other hand, what the fans in the arena appreciate most is the attractive basketball and fighting spirit that the team displays."
The article analyzed the Yellows' squad, which is supposed to be mostly retained for next season. "It seems that Maccabi Tel Aviv still needs some good moves to follow Monaco's path and become a Final Four team. The foundations have already been laid, but there are some critical decisions to make," they wrote, highlighting the dilemmas surrounding Jerrell Martin, Darren Hilliard and Alex Poythers over which the team has options for next season.
The main weapon remains. Baldwin and Brown (Photo: Danny Maron)
"Martin's future with the team is uncertain. If he continues, he will earn a small salary and this will allow the team to strengthen with two more experienced, proven and expensive interior players. Assuming Martin continues and Josh Nivo stays on his contract, most of Maccabi's efforts will likely go toward finding a replacement for Poythras. If Maccabi exercised its option on Poythras, he would earn close to $1 million next season. As in the case of Darren Hilliard, this is too high a sum for a complementary player. Hilliard — even if he stays — will continue to have a supporting role alongside Wade Baldwin and Lorenzo Brown."
The article states that as reported in Walla! Sport, Brian Angola and Tamir Blatt are expected to be the first signings of the summer. "The announcements of their addition will come after the end of the season in the Premier League," they noted, adding: "Maccabi needs more than anything else a player who will contribute in both interior positions and improve the weak front line. Peter Corneli is one of the candidates, but other teams are following him, Monaco among them, and Maccabi Tel Aviv needs to act quickly if they want to sign him."
In conclusion, they wrote: "Maccabi Tel Aviv already has a coach for next season, the squad is more or less closed, and the fans are dying to see their team play in the Euroleague again. If the Yellows use the offseason to learn from last season's mistakes, they will have a very promising season ahead and the Final Four will be just around the corner."
- sport
- basketball
- Euroleague and European basketball
Tags
- Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball
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