Continue forward
From the moment Maccabi Tel Aviv was eliminated from the Euroleague – all its people, coaches and players talked about only one thing – to win a fifth consecutive championship. Yesterday (Sunday) they took a step in the right direction there, when they defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 79:89 and came close to securing first place in the league. “I’m glad we made that difficult transition and we were sharp, it’s an important victory in the fight forward,” Avi Even said. “We did not start this game aggressively enough on defense, but in the second half we made an upgrade on that aspect, and we won.”
The first half was indeed not good for Maccabi Tel Aviv – it absorbed 48 points, with only Jaylen Adams celebrating with 21 points until the break. Avi Even allowed only 7 points for Hapoel Jerusalem in the third quarter, a season low for them. “We played well overall, even though we didn’t save well enough in the first half,” John Dibertolomeo said. “We had a very good third quarter, but if there is one thing we need to work on, it is to finish the game first. We gave them opportunities to come back.”
Maccabi had some concern about a drop in tension after the series against Real Madrid. Still, returning to the league after a Euroleague playoff record is not always easy. But both in the stands (over 8,000 fans) and on the floor, the importance of this game was clear – both because of the identity of the opponent and because of the consequences of victory or loss. “Maccabi always thinks about the next game,” said Dibertolomeo. “We came out unhappy with the series against Real because we had hopes of doing something and we fell, but we keep going, all the time.”
Sweep
Four times this season the two biggest teams of Israeli basketball have met, all four times it was Maccabi Tel Aviv that came out on top: once in the Winner’s Cup and three more times in the league. This is an uncommon event, which happened recently 11 years ago – a seasonal sweep of Maccabi Tel Aviv over Hapoel Jerusalem. So true, this game had great tabular importance, but also in the level of prestige and consciousness, Maccabi Tel Aviv took an important step yesterday. “Certainly there is significance to a 0: 4 balance against a team that is one of the main rivals for the championship,” said Maccabi.
However, even Maccabi Tel Aviv knows that all the victories in the regular season will not necessarily guarantee anything if and when these two teams meet in the playoff final, since Hapoel Jerusalem appeared for every game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in a different squad. “I want to relate to this game and less to the rest, there is not necessarily a connection between the games,” he said Avi Even. “We did a better job in the second half, and that gave us an advantage. A series against Hapoel Jerusalem? When we get to the bridge, we will cross it.”
Captain, winner, example
Although Keenan Evans excelled in the game with 15 points and 8 assists, James Nanali was very good with 15 points including important threes momentum – but the one who actually won this game for Maccabi Tel Aviv was John Dibertolomeo. In a situation of 61 “64, when Hapoel Jerusalem made comeback votes in the last quarter, John Dee took over and scored 3 consecutive threes that decided the match.” John is an amazing player, I do not think anyone thinks of him anything else, he is a winner, “he said Avi Even. “I’m glad he was there today to stick to the critical threes.”
But it wasn’t just the threes. In the minutes when Dibertolomeo is talking about the parquet, it sometimes feels like there is some of it. He saves, he fights for every lost ball, he hits the big baskets. He is one of the most beloved players in the arena, if not the most beloved of all, and as the playoffs approach, the fact that Maccabi Tel Aviv can bring him off the bench to change momentum and win games is a huge advantage.
Stone went on to compliment his captain: “John is experienced, knows the club, is not afraid of anything. He is one of the people who produces our positivity, dynamism and activism, he is an example for every player. Every child who grew up with us in the youth departments should look at him, see how He trains and plays – and to say that one day, he wants to be like that. “
Dibertlomio He himself maintained modesty: “I do not like to talk about myself, but I know I do the best I can, train hard all the time. If the coach said I was an example to children, then I will take it. It’s a huge compliment.”
John Dee has a contract with a bilateral exit in the summer, and as a result he is also attracting quite a bit of interest – both in Israel and in Europe. But even though Dibertolomeo would like to get more minutes – which other teams can certainly offer him – it seems that the match between him and Maccabi Tel Aviv will continue. It is estimated that he will sign a new contract, and maybe even finish his career in yellow-blue.
A novel about truth
The first season at Maccabi Tel Aviv is never easy, and Roman Sorkin experiences almost the full range of difficulties. He suffered injuries, contracted Corona and there were times when he barely got chances in the Euroleague even when he was completely healthy. But it turns out that these were only birth defects – because recently Sorkin has established himself as a kind of anchor at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Yesterday he scored 11 points, added 5 rebounds and finished with 18+ in the plus / minus index – the higher of the two teams. Stone takes advantage of his versatility to play with him in both face positions, and Sorkin – who was also one of the few bright spots in the series against Real – fully justifies the credit. “It’s fun to see Roman’s progress,” complimented Maccabi Tel Aviv. “It was difficult for him at first, but when he plays like that, he is one of the best Israelis in the league.”
Sorkin, like Dibertolomeo, does not have a guaranteed contract for next season, but Maccabi Tel Aviv intend to exercise the option on him and leave him for another season. While also in the Israeli team, he should be a key screw in the 2022 European Championship.
Keep the house
With this victory, as mentioned, Maccabi Tel Aviv puts itself in an excellent starting position to finish the regular season in first place. “A task that is especially important for us,” said Maccabi. “Everyone knows what power the hall has, and it is clear to us that a home advantage will be very significant.”
Whether you finish first or finish second, Maccabi Tel Aviv will lean towards the bottom house, from there its opponent will come in the playoff quarterfinal series. Of course the most intriguing option is a derby, although for now – given that Maccabi Tel Aviv is closer to first place and Hapoel “A for the seventh – this possibility seems less realistic. However, if Hapoel Tel Aviv drops to eighth place (two wins for Gilboa / Galil and a home loss of the Reds to Hapoel Eilat), we may get a Tel Aviv derby in the quarterfinals. And Maccabi, as is well known, has an open account with the city rival.
“If we play against Hapoel it will be exciting, probably after they have beaten us three times this season and we will have the opportunity to reward them,” Dibertolomeo commented. “But we do not control who our opponent will be, we want to finish in first place and want the home advantage. The playoffs with Maccabi Tel Aviv are exciting every season, and I always want to play for the championship.”