Chairman of Maccabi's Professional committee David Blatt held a press conference on Tuesday evening. Blatt talked about the season Maccabi is having, Saben Lee's stint in Israel and why did Yam Madar sign for Hapoel.
Season of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is full of twists and is rather unsuccessful, something that no one can deny.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv / Schedule
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Zalgiris KaunasAnd neither does David Blatt, legendary coach and nowadays a chairman of Maccabi's Professional Committee, as he held a press conference on Tuesday evening. Blatt started with affair of Saben Lee, and his short stint with Israeli team:
"Let it be clear in Saben Lee's contract, and I don't know if the coaches need to read it, it was written very clearly that at the beginning of his stint he would not have to come to Israel" Blatt started.
"The hope was that over time the situation would improve and we would be able to encourage and convince him to come. That didn't happen, so we entered a cycle where he wouldn't train with us throughout the week."
"It caused us quite a few problems and rightly frustrated the professional staff and made it difficult for the team. So the response was logical and understandable."
"Sometimes in very difficult situations you have to make decisions with an element of risk. We made and paid a price for it. If I have to take responsibility for it, I take it."
Blatt tried to explain the reasons of Maccabi finishing first half of the season in the EuroLeague with a 4-13 score, sitting in 16th place:
"We were unable to replace four of the top players in the Euroleague, and that's a fact. We didn't bring in players of the same level in their place. We had to rebuild, and that means taking on players with potential future abilities."
"It happens, and it's part of what every team goes through that needs to rebuild itself. In fact, it didn't turn out the best. If someone needs to take responsibility, then I have no problem taking it. We tried a few things and some of them didn't work."
Blatt also touched the topic of Yam Madar, revealing why he didn't sign with Maccabi:
"Regarding Madar, everything that happens, we are involved in some way. We don't sit at home and just try to be involved. In his case, it was simply a financial matter."
"The expectations and demands from Madar's representatives presented a picture that was not realistic from the point of view of our team at that moment," Blatt concluded.
