Israeli Basketball Legends, Women's Hall of Fame Dispute, and Coach of Kevin Durant Featured on Double Dribble
The latest episode of Double Dribble opens with a poignant revelation from Miki Berkovich's family, disclosing that the Israeli basketball legend is battling dementia. Hosts Dror Hoffman and Aharaleh Weisberg reflect on Berkovich's legacy and discuss how to honor sports icons while they are still alive. The episode then covers the controversy surrounding the new Basketball Hall of Fame, focusing on Anat Draygor's decision to boycott the induction ceremony as part of her fight for authentic documentation and preservation of women's basketball history.
The show also examines the uncertain future of Noam Yaakov after the NCAA denied his eligibility request to play for the University of Utah and rejected his appeal. The discussion explores whether the G-League is the right path for him or if returning to Europe would be better, highlighting the challenges in pursuing an NBA dream.
Attention shifts to the start of training for Tel Aviv's two major teams: Maccabi, which begins with an incomplete roster and unresolved ownership but boasts over 8,000 season ticket holders, and Hapoel, preparing in Sofia with a star-studded lineup, new management, and open questions about players Max Heidegger and Tamir Blatt. The episode also features Hapoel Jerusalem's new captain, the race for EuroLeague qualification, and efforts to bring fans back to the arena.
In the second half, Michael Moshiashvili, an Israeli coach who has worked with NBA stars Kevin Durant, Paul George, and the James brothers, shares his journey from Ashkelon to elite American basketball training rooms. He recounts the pivotal 12 minutes that transformed his career at Sierra Canyon and discusses what can still be taught to one of the game's greatest scorers. The episode concludes with a panel featuring Roy Zuckerman, Dror Hoffman, and Aharaleh Weisberg.