Maccabi strengthens the defense with four interior players to conquer Europe

Maccabi experiences a radical contrast between its domestic and international performance. In the Israeli regular league, it finished with a record of 24-2, won the State Cup with Roman Sorkin as the MVP of the final, and proclaimed itself national champion by defeating Hapoel, with Iffe Lundberg being named MVP. Oded Kattash received the Coach of the Year award. However, in EuroLeague, the scenario was completely different: only 18 wins and 20 losses, a balance of -100 in point difference, and, most concerning, the twelfth position, which left the team out of the play-in race.

The context of that European campaign explains part of the failure. Due to security issues, Maccabi played only six home games at the Menora Mivtachim. The other thirteen were played in Belgrade, at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, with an average attendance of 3,330 spectators, the lowest figure in the entire competition. Playing two thousand kilometers from home in a semi-empty venue leads to accumulated fatigue.

But the real problem was defensive. The team scored 3,386 points, placing it among the most productive in EuroLeague. The issue: it conceded 3,486, the worst defensive record of the twenty teams in the competition. No other team allowed more points. That defensive gap is what the club has decided to address with its summer strategy.

Four interior players to fortify the defense

Maccabi invested in the transfer market in one direction: size and solidity in the paint. Of the five new signings, four are over two meters tall. Daniel Theis arrives from Monaco, after a season in France. Armando Bacot comes from Fenerbahçe, where he spent the previous season. Bonzie Colson returns to the club for his second stint, also arriving from Istanbul. These three are joined by the renewal of Jaylen Hoard, who was the second-best rebounder in EuroLeague with 7.1 rebounds per game.

Roman Sorkin, TJ Leaf, and Gur Lavi complete a robust interior block that aims to solve the defensive leak. Hoard renewed until 2029, indicating the importance the club places on his continuity. If Maccabi manages to correct that defensive column, analysts estimate it could rise between six and seven spots in the standings without the need for additional changes.

On the perimeter, the renewal of Oshae Brissett and Will Rayman with contract extensions reinforces stability. Both maintain their offensive presence, although the loss of Lonnie Walker IV, who returned to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets after being one of the top scorers, leaves a production gap that the team must resolve.

The point guard exchange and game direction

The most talked-about move in Israel was the point guard exchange between Maccabi and Hapoel. Tamir Blatt left for the rival team, while Yam Madar took the opposite path, arriving from Hapoel to assume the direction. Both clubs will face each other four times a year between the league and European competition, ensuring special attention to this exchange.

With Madar also comes Keaton Wallace, a shooting guard from the Atlanta Hawks. Wallace must prove his performance capacity in Europe, but his arrival adds versatility to the perimeter. Jimmy Clark, Amit Ebo, Lundberg, and John DiBartolomeo return in the direction, providing continuity to a project that maintains its structure almost intact.

Madar is more of a team point guard than a pure scorer, which contrasts with Walker's profile. This means that the offensive burden will fall on Lundberg and Brissett, who will need to take on greater responsibility in point generation. It's the flip side of the coin: defensive and structural gain, but with questions about offensive production.

Stability as an advantage in October

In a EuroLeague where approximately half of the teams have made significant changes, Maccabi arrives with almost the same roster and the same coach. Oded Kattash, renewed until 2029, provides tactical continuity. This stability is a real advantage when the competition begins, especially in October, when teams are still searching for their rhythm.

The declared goal is to fight for the play-in, something that seems reasonable after the previous twelfth place. It is probably the minimum requirement. To aspire for more, someone on the team must step up as a clear offensive reference, something that is not yet defined.

What seems certain is that in Israel, it will win everything again. Maccabi has proven to be unbeatable in its country for two consecutive seasons. The real challenge for the club is to carry that dominant capacity to the European competition, where the game is more competitive and demanding. That is what must be achieved for the summer investment in defense and size to truly be worthwhile.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Maccabi refuerza la defensa con cuatro interiores para asaltar Europa