Maccabi Tel Aviv surprised itself with the empty energies that Eitan showed up for the derby, and was perhaps surprised by the complete opposite at Hapoel Tel Aviv. But as in many games this season, the Yellows were able to make the comeback and win last night (Sunday) 77:80, thanks to two key tools: Chris Jones who enjoyed exceptional fitness, and the pressure on the entire pitch that was once again proven to be a game changer for the champion.
26 points, 5 assists, an extortion of no less than 10 offenses and a 32-point index – that was Jones’ great stat line last night. Scotty Wilbkin, on the other hand, continues with the bad ability, with 10 points and a non-dominant game. “Scotty is a human being, and like any human being, he has ups and downs,” he said Yannis Sapropoulos. “I agree it’s not the Scottish we know but it’s natural, you have to understand that a player can not be at his peak all the time. He needs rest, we need to find a way to refresh him, it’s only a matter of time before he gets back to his pace.”
It seems that every time Maccabi Tel Aviv presses up the whole field, good things happen. It happened in quite a few games where she made a comeback and knew how to come back from big differences, and it happened last night as well, but it seems the Yellows are not using this tool enough. Of course it is impossible to play this pressure for 40 minutes, but Sapropoulos agrees that it is a winning tool: ‘Of course it is impossible to do it for 40 minutes, and do not forget that this is our 50th game this season. I agree that it is a very effective tool, but it needs to be managed properly. ‘
“None of us are happy with how we won,” the coach added. “But making a comeback proves we are a great team. This is a derby, it was very interesting for the fans, we know how important these derby victories are and we know we need to play better. The fans have a part in this victory. ‘
Oz laser He concluded: ‘It was my first derby with an audience, if they are not here I do not know if we will make the comeback at the end. We did not start well but there were some of our good stops in the second half. “Jones’ ability testifies to his character, and that ability comes after a streak of games that he has not recorded at all, but today everyone sees how important he is to us, and like everyone else he remains ready when he is called.”
“The importance of Scotty should not be expanded,” Blazer added. “But it happens that a player has less good times, it is not easy to maintain stability throughout such a long season and fortunately we are long enough in rotation to cover him. I am sure he will come back to himself, everyone believes and trusts him.”