While the common refrain for Diaspora Jews has always been ‘Next year in Jerusalem,’ could the new toast for Jewish-American baseball enthusiasts be ‘Next year in Havana’?
At long last Israelis can boast about making it in the NBA, having adopted the Cavaliers as their own.
In Israel, interest in the NCAA March Madness is more or less limited to ex-patriot Americans following their alma maters and to chronic basketball junkies.
Cav’s 11-game winning streak down to former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach’s ethos of team-oriented offense and pressure defense
Are any incoming players capable of courting attention and repeating the stunning success of Tyrese Rice? Although Americans dominate the roster, the biggest new talent may actually be a Croatian teenager.
Outgoing coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv eschewed an attractive assistant-coaching position with the up-and-coming Golden State Warriors.
For Blatt to eventually become a head coach, he would have to pass the final remaining frontier in the globalization of the NBA.
While Amar’e Stoudemire has grabbed most of the limelight, there are several other NBA notables among the coaching staffs at the Maccabiah.
Omri Casspi has a 2-year deal with the Houston Rockets, Gal Mekel will play for the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite the uncertainty about Omri Casspi's NBA future, at least one Israeli will be playing in the top basketball league next season.