Maccabi Tel Aviv is playing on its last chances. Tonight (Thursday, 21:30, live on 5 SPORT) she will be hosted in Germany by Bayern Munich, in a battle that in terms of football is definitely “on six points” – that is, one in which she must win in order to stay in the fight for the top 8 tickets Of the Euroleague.
- The full interview with Jaylen Reynolds: Tonight in an open field
- Tonight, 21:30, live broadcast on 5 SPORT: Bayern Munich against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague
Whoever meets her in the red uniform will be Jaylen Reynolds, Who arrived in Tel Aviv in the middle of last season and took part in the squad of Yannis Sapropoulos, until he was cut in the summer – and found his place with the Germans. The problems at Maccabi, about the relative success at Bayern – and of course, about the Corona as well.
Reynolds first referred to the previous meeting between the teams: “away games will always be difficult, and need to be mentally prepared. We did a good job when it comes to concentration, we knew who their key players were, and we did our best to stop them.” And what next? “We are doing a good job, but also know it is not over – the marathon continues. We have a long way to go, also for me personally, to get better.”
And the question arises – what exactly does not work at Maccabi? “They are a solid team in all positions, Othello Hunter is a great athlete, they have an air umbrella … but maybe they are missing something. I find it hard to put my finger on it because I am not there, but they should probably connect, and stay focused and they will be fine.”
Many were surprised by Reynolds’ departure. There were some who even asked themselves – “How did Maccabi release this player?”. Reynolds agrees: “That was the goal. I want to amaze them, and surprise everyone, because I know what I could have brought to the team.”
“If only they would give me the opportunity to play my game, freely, without all the things around, I would deliver the goods. But when I came, I did not really get a chance – I would have replaced Othello (Hunter), then Amara (Studmeier) when he arrived. “There was one big mess. They could not see how I would fit in, I hope they see it now.”
“I did not have enough time to prove myself, so I fell between the chairs. I could not contribute what I was capable of for the sake of this organization,” he concluded. “I was surprised when I was released,” he added, “I did not really know what I could do better. But I wish him all the best (Lannis Sapropoulos), now I’m here, and it’s clear Bayern found what they were looking for, and I found what I was looking for. I’m happy To be here. “
And of course, the inevitable question also comes: how far could Maccabi have come last season, had it not been for the Corona? “I believe we could have won the Euroleague,” Reynolds said confidently. “We learned a lot in a short time. I was very comfortable in the team, and I knew what I had to give. Aaron Jackson and I played together in China, and that also helped us a lot.”
In addition, Reynolds also referred to our current coach – Andrea Trinkieri: “His attitude is unbelievable, it’s almost like he’s a genius. He knows too much about basketball. Some rabbits you do not expect him to pull out of the hat, and he pulls them out. He always tries to make us better. “No matter if we are right or wrong, he will always give us back. And that’s the kind of coach I love on my side. Even if I screwed up, he will tell me – I’m with you, for better or worse, let’s fix it.”
And how is life with the corona? “It’s a drastic change, man. You can not go out and eat in a restaurant, or interact with different people. I’m a man of people, I may look threatening – but I’m a good person. Most of the time it’s very difficult. Work, but it’s not like being with family. “
