Israeli National Team

[goga78]

So what you want Chris Watson to play? PF/C?
he's perfect for me as a SF,

So as Erez Katz, Katz doesn't have the shooting for SG or the PG abillity, but he's doing good job in the SF spot, what the hell you want?

Watson's got no shot at all. He doesn't have a clearly defined position but its somewhere between SF and PF.

Eretz Katz is a pure PG, who's only abilities are to set up his teammates and to play hard defense.

As to the foreigner, Jerron Roberts did a much better job in Israel's jersey than Chris Watson.

Guni Israeli and Moran Rot do not fill European style of bball at all. All they can do consistently is run-run-run. No consistent shot, no physics, no solid defense on European level. While you can run in the Israeli League (just look at team ppg stats), the game is different in pretty much the rest of Europe. No one is scoring over 90 ppg. Thus, the game is slower and more physical. Now, if Israel's roster would be good enough to run the whole game, such PGs might even be okay, but only Spain and Lithuania can play like this in Europe. Israel is lacking size, mismatches and a whole lot of snipers in order to play like this.

Anyway, what's the story with Afik Nissim and the NT?

[Roy M]

So what you want Chris Watson to play? PF/C?
he's perfect for me as a SF,

So as Erez Katz, Katz doesn't have the shooting for SG or the PG abillity, but he's doing good job in the SF spot, what the hell you want?

WTF? Katz is SF? , maybe as a PG, nothing else.

[Digdis]

Guni Israeli and Moran Rot do not fill European style of bball at all. All they can do consistently is run-run-run. No consistent shot, no physics, no solid defense on European level. While you can run in the Israeli League (just look at team ppg stats), the game is different in pretty much the rest of Europe. No one is scoring over 90 ppg. Thus, the game is slower and more physical. Now, if Israel's roster would be good enough to run the whole game, such PGs might even be okay, but only Spain and Lithuania can play like this in Europe. Israel is lacking size, mismatches and a whole lot of snipers in order to play like this.

While I may agree with you about Rot, I'm not sure that's the case with Guni. Both have embraced Holon's run and gun style, and it was perfect for this athletic team. However, Guni can also play slow tempo offence with pick and roll. He also had decent shooting percentage last season in Afula. Maybe his injury in the beginning of this season took him out of shape. Anyway I agree that there are better Israeli PGs - Tapiro, Hajaj and even Ohayon (I consider Halperin more an SG).

[Iverson.A]

The only thing i'm worried about is that in 2-3 years we will without players like Tapiro who's one of the best PG in this decade, and Yaniv Green, who's a monster center,
Israel is just got to make good PG and good C for the future!

[Czarkazem13]

You kidding me??? every simpleton who knows the surname known the man's religion is...

He played (or played) for Aris, didn't he? if so, thats not really a surprise.

Sirname would imply ethnicity not religion. If a Jew changes his religion, his name wouldn't.

With that said, we were talking nationality, which being Jewish is not. From what I understand he is Greek and has played for junior teams. Hence, not Israeli.

So what you want Chris Watson to play? PF/C?
he's perfect for me as a SF,

So as Erez Katz, Katz doesn't have the shooting for SG or the PG abillity, but he's doing good job in the SF spot, what the hell you want?

Did Watson completely change his style of play? If not, then how's he a SF? As far as Katz, he really doesn't have much of an offensive game either, though always saw him as a defensive guard.

The only thing i'm worried about is that in 2-3 years we will without players like Tapiro who's one of the best PG in this decade, and Yaniv Green, who's a monster center,
Israel is just got to make good PG and good C for the future!

I agree about Yaniv Green. I'm not sure who will replace him at the 5. Robert Rothbart hasn't even gotten close to expectations. I am surprised that no Israeli team tried to get Alex Bougaieff.

As far as at the 1, I think Israel's future looks better, but it will be interesting who will step up - if any: Guni Izraeli, Yogev Ohayon, Gal Mekel, Yuval Neimi, etc...

[ArnoldPettybone]

So what you want Chris Watson to play? PF/C?
he's perfect for me as a SF,

So as Erez Katz, Katz doesn't have the shooting for SG or the PG abillity, but he's doing good job in the SF spot, what the hell you want?

Well, Its pretty obvious that you never watches these guys play.
Watson perfect SF.......
fu*king Hilarius...

Sirname would imply ethnicity not religion. If a Jew changes his religion, his name wouldn't.

With that said, we were talking nationality, which being Jewish is not. From what I understand he is Greek and has played for junior teams. Hence, not Israeli.

After saying that, Are you familiar with the Law of return? Because all the the above makes me wonder.
Anyway, preliminary squad announced:
G-Tapiro, Rot, Ochayon, Halperin, Hajaj, Limonad
F-Casspi, Eliyahu, Burshtein, Pnini, Naor, Hanochi
C-Tamir, Watson, Kozhikaro, Green, Nir Cohen
Some weird calls-Roberts and markovich dropped, Naor is semi-retired but still called...

[Trifilli]

Matalon is greek, and his parents (Nikos and Aliki) are greek as well. He's an Aris player, but played for Kolossos Rhodes on loan this season - he also played for several greek youth NTs before and was called to this years U20 again as well. He's from Thessaloniki though, which had a huge jewish community until WW2, when the majority was deported by the germans and murdered. Today there's still a small jewish-greek community in Saloniki.
I'm pretty sure that I heard before that Matalon is of said communities descent. No idea though whether he is still jewish himself, or orthodox christian or whatever.

[Roy M]

Lior Eliyahu desiced not to play in the NT, due to his awfull relationship with Tzvi Sherf.

[goga78]

Reall weird! Why isn't Markovich on board? As if Israel would have lots of big men... Roberts was a very effective player and a great fighter. Why wasn't he invited to camp?
Eliyahu decides not to play because of the coach? On the one hand it is understandable, on the other hand it is stupid gambling. Sherf's teams show results and as long as it goes that way, he won't get dismissed. Plus, Eliyahu is one of Israel's brightest talents and the team needs him. Put your ego aside and play. After all, if the coach treats you unfairly, you can go public with this matter. Some years ago, Shelf and Lubin were dropped from the NT because of criticising their coach. This move caused a lot of uproar. I'm sure, there would be the same thing with Lior suddenly not being nominated. The NT needs him.

[Iverson.A]

Final Roster updated.

GOOD LUCK ISRAEL!

I WANT FULL NOKIA ARENA AGAINST ENGLAND!

[Czarkazem13]

It's interesting, I always find it amazing how little people really comprehend (ie: truly listen) to other people when talking. Yet, it is even more amusing when it is written down (or typed) and people still take what they want out of it instead of what was actually typed:

It started with this:

Do you reckon that Mario Matalon will be veer good enough for Israel NT?

Then followed by:

Who's Mario Matalon? and what his connection to Israel?

Then, since no one else answered, I added:

Well there's Marios Matalon, but he's Greek.

My mistake, 'cause then I was the moron:

You kidding me??? every simpleton who knows the surname known the man's religion is...

Yes, I'm the simpleton. I never stated anything about him being Jewish or not, just stated that he's Greek. Now, even though I am right, I'm the simpleton because of people's lack of comprehension skills.

So I anwered:

Sirname would imply ethnicity not religion. If a Jew changes his religion, his name wouldn't.

With that said, we were talking nationality, which being Jewish is not. From what I understand he is Greek and has played for junior teams. Hence, not Israeli.

Now, I hoped this would clear up the confusion (from lack of comprehension), but:

After saying that, Are you familiar with the Law of return? Because all the the above makes me wonder.

Wonder what?

Now if he's played for the Greek junior national teams - unless the rules were changed and people can switch national teams - how does this in ANY way effect the Israeli National Team?

I guess this whole thing makes us both wonder...

[Czarkazem13]

Lior Eliyahu desiced not to play in the NT, due to his awfull relationship with Tzvi Sherf.

That really sucks!

Reall weird! Why isn't Markovich on board? As if Israel would have lots of big men... Roberts was a very effective player and a great fighter. Why wasn't he invited to camp?
Eliyahu decides not to play because of the coach? On the one hand it is understandable, on the other hand it is stupid gambling. Sherf's teams show results and as long as it goes that way, he won't get dismissed. Plus, Eliyahu is one of Israel's brightest talents and the team needs him. Put your ego aside and play. After all, if the coach treats you unfairly, you can go public with this matter. Some years ago, Shelf and Lubin were dropped from the NT because of criticising their coach. This move caused a lot of uproar. I'm sure, there would be the same thing with Lior suddenly not being nominated. The NT needs him.

Agreed.

[Digdis]

And now Hajaj also refuses to participate due to "personal reasons", but it's clear that this decision was taken due to his clashes with Sherf in the last NT campain. This is becoming an epidemic.

[Czarkazem13]

And now Hajaj also refuses to participate due to "personal reasons", but it's clear that this decision was taken due to his clashes with Sherf in the last NT campain. This is becoming an epidemic.

Damn, another one. If only Israel let David Blatt be the coach instead of that stupid rule about the classes (which he taught?) he didn't take or something...I forgot the whole story.

Another note...it's interesting, Mizrachi, Sasson and Mozinson weren't invited?

[ArnoldPettybone]

Now if he's played for the Greek junior national teams - unless the rules were changed and people can switch national teams - how does this in ANY way effect the Israeli National Team?

I guess this whole thing makes us both wonder...

Sorry, I missed the whole "Played for the Greek junior NTs before" part.

[Iverson.A]

Mosinzon is too old and maybe for the league it's enough.. but for europe's big players.. he will.........SQUASHED.. like a bug,
Shason has his personal things,
and Mizrahi? I have no idea.

[Czarkazem13]

Mosinzon is too old and maybe for the league it's enough.. but for europe's big players.. he will.........SQUASHED.. like a bug,
Shason has his personal things,
and Mizrahi? I have no idea.

I was surprised with Sharon, but don't know his issues.

As far as Mosinzon, isn't he younger then Tapiro??? Though with that said, Tapiro has had a much more distinguished career.

And, I really didn't see much of Mizrachi this season, so I don't really know how he did.

No Hajaj, no Eliyahu. WTF?!

[rikhardur]

Zvika Sherf's hopes of marching Israel directly into next summer's EuroBasket in Poland suffered a hit this week.

On Tuesday, the national team coach announced the 17 players he wanted at the final training camp that's scheduled to tip off on July 23, yet it's uncertain if two of the invitees - Dror Hagag and Lior Eliyahu - will show up.

So what's the problem with the 22-year-old Eliyahu, whose NBA draft rights are held by the Houston Rockets?

The 2.07 Eliyahu and Sherf spent the last year together at Maccabi Tel Aviv and had an unhappy relationship.

The veteran coach clashed with the talented forward several times and often used him on the court only if he had no other option, and sometimes not even then.

That very scenario, in fact, had existed at last summer's EuroBasket in Spain with the national team.

As a result, it appears Eliyahu has decided not to show up for the national team camp. Although he has not made an official announcement, those are the vibes the player is sending out.

Hagag's situation is different.

The 30-year-old point guard, who only recently signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv where Sherf has been replaced as coach by Effi Birenboim, made his summer plans official.

"I sent a letter to the federation explaining that I won't be able to show up for the camp for personal reasons," Hagag said to the Israeli media.

"It has nothing to do with coach Sherf. I would have announced the same even if there was another coach. I just need to stay in Israel his summer."

Hagag's decision was neither received well by the federation, nor accepted.

"We see a call for the national team the same way as we see a call for the army reserves," said Shai Shani, the new chairman of the federation.

"I can't imagine a situation in which a player was invited but won't show up."

The federation had allowed the initial 32 players named in the preliminary squad to announce until a few days ago if they planned to miss the upcoming campaign.

Several, such as Sharon Shason, Erez Markovic, David Bluthenthal and Jaime Arnold, took the opportunity to do so and thus weren't invited to the final camp where Israel will prepare for qualifying games against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic and Great Britain.

Israel's basketball fans will soon discover how the Hagag and Eliyahu situations are resolved.

Israel squad: Dror Hagag, Lior Eliyahu, Meir Tapiro, Moran Rot, Yogev Okhayon, Yotam Halperin, Tal Burstein, Raviv Limonad, Nitzan Khanokhi, Guy Pnini, Matan Naor, Omri Casspi, Yaniv Green, Ido Kozikaro, Amit Tamir, Chris Watson and Nir Cohen.

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_K8Sdo...leMode_on.html

[Digdis]

And now Tal Burstein is also in doubt for the campain after undergoing an appendectomy last night...

[Hvala Milane]

Hi guys, as you can see, I'm from Italy and I know that your NT will play a tournament in Bormio from July 31 to August 2 with our NT, Poland and France. Do you know when will they come there exactly? Thanks!
SCHEDULE :
July 31:
FRANCE - POLAND
ITALY - ISRAEL
August 1:
POLAND - ISRAEL
ITALY - FRANCE
August 2:
ISRAEL - FRANCE
ITALY - POLAND