Hapoel Tel Aviv Could Win EuroLeague, Maccabi Tel Aviv an Underdog, Analysts Say
Basketball news outlet BasketNews has analyzed the optimistic and pessimistic scenarios for all 20 teams participating in the upcoming EuroLeague season, with a particular focus on the Israeli teams, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Ahead of the season's start, journalist Donatas Urbonas stated he "would not be surprised if Hapoel Tel Aviv reaches the Final Four and wins the EuroLeague." He posited that the worst-case scenario for Hapoel, coached by Dimitris Itoudis, would be to only reach the play-in tournament.
Regarding Maccabi Tel Aviv, Urbonas labeled them as the "underdog of the season." He outlined an optimistic scenario where the team avoids injuries, plays well at home, and sees Jimmy Butler emerge as the season's breakout player, Bonzie Colson return to form, and Jalen Hurd play at an All-EuroLeague starting five level. In this best-case scenario, Maccabi would reach the playoffs.
Conversely, Urbonas described a worst-case scenario for Maccabi where Daniel Theis suffers injuries, Armando Bacot fails to improve, the team plays all season on the road, Butler hits a ceiling, and the offense lacks punch. In such a situation, Maccabi could finish between 15th and 17th place in the league standings.
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