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Bluthenthal, a rare bird at Maccabi, wonders just what he was doing there By Vered Cohen If there is one thing that interests David Bluthenthal right now, it's family. His wife is expected to give birth soon in New York, and he is helping out wherever he can. Advertisement Talking to the player on the phone, one gets the impression that he is doing more hustling between the kitchen and family room than he did on the basketball court with Maccabi Tel Aviv. "This season hurt me financially, in terms of my ability to get a contract and other opportunities," said the forward, who recently signed with France's Le Mans. "Even today, I'm not quite sure what my purpose was at Maccabi," he added. Bluthenthal was something of a rare bird in Israel. Six-foot-seven, the 28-year-old was born and raised in Los Angeles. His mother is Jewish, and his African American father converted to Judaism. The player believes that the family name Bluthenthal originated with a slave owner who was German-Jewish. Although he has Israeli citizenship, Bluthenthal declined to play for the Israeli national team in the European Championship in 2005 and 2007. It is rumored that this decision had to do with animosity toward Zvika Sherf, coach of both Maccabi Tel Aviv and the national team. When the conversation turns to Sherf, Bluthenthal turns cold. "I don't think I'll play for him again, if that means anything to you," he said. "As a professional, you want to be with people who can help you reach your goals," he added. "I didn't feel comfortable with Zvika." Bluthenthal hardly sounds optimistic when talking about the results of his last season with Maccabi. "Statistically, it took me backwards. In terms of finding work this summer, it really did hurt me. You don't make the same figures when you go to a team with a more modest budget," he said in reference to Le Mans, which has a significantly smaller budget than Maccabi. Bluthenthal's career thus far has reflected that of a journeyman. At college at the University of Southern California, he was consistently ranked among the top 10 players in the Pac-10 Conference. In 2003, after graduating from college, he signed with Maccabi, taking part in the team's 2004 Euroleague championship and two state cups. Next, he tried his luck in the NBA's summer league, and was signed by the Sacramento Kings in August 2004, but was released before the 2004-05 season. Bluthenthal then signed with the team of former Maccabi coach David Blatt, Dynamo St. Petersburg, before bouncing between Italian clubs Benetton Treviso, Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna. At Fortitudo he blossomed, averaging 16 points and 4.2 rebounds in his last season before returning to Maccabi. But shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv, Bluthenthal's luck ran out, and he seemed to spend more time on the bench than on the parquet at Nokia Arena. Despite his disappointment with Maccabi, Bluthenthal spoke in favorable terms about its new coach, Effi Birenboim, and says he does not blame Birenboim for not signing him. "I don't blame Effi for anything, he's a good coach and I heard from a player who trained under him that he's great with the guys. That's the direction Maccabi is going in now," he said. Maccabi eyes Solomon substitute According to Greek and Spanish media reports, Maccabi Tel Aviv has given up on signing Will Solomon, currently playing for Fenerbahce of the Turkish league. Instead, it is focusing on recruiting one of three other guards: Jaka Lakovic, Mire Chatman and Scooney Penn. Maccabi's preference is Lakovic, who is reportedly unhappy with his current club, Barcelona. The Spanish side has recently welcomed fan favorite Juan Carlos Navarro home from the NBA. But the Slovenian, 30, has indicated that he intends to ride out his contract with Barcelona until it ends after this season. Maccabi's other prospects are Americans Mire Chatman of Russia's Triumph Lyubertsy and veteran Scooney Penn of Turkey's Efes Pilsen. Bookmark to del.icio.us   History undersea Israeli lifeguard stumbles upon ancient relic during morning swim. Elections, Hebrew style U.S. presidential hopefuls use Hebrew to woo the Jewish community.

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