Maccabi, Hapoel Tel Aviv Face Divergent EuroLeague Outlooks

As the new EuroLeague season kicks off on Thursday, September 28, 2023, Israeli basketball fans are looking at two distinct scenarios for their representatives, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Both teams will compete in the league for the second consecutive season, with expectations ranging from optimistic to pessimistic for each.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's optimistic scenario projects a return of games to Israel within weeks of a scheduled EuroLeague CEO visit, coupled with a strong on-court performance. Key players like Yam Madar and Keeton Wallace are expected to improve significantly, Bonzie Colson to replicate his past success, and the frontcourt to be among the league's best, potentially leading to a playoff berth (5th-8th place).

The realistic outlook for Maccabi suggests games will return to Israel later in the season, impacting home-court advantage. While Madar and Colson are expected to perform well, Wallace might struggle, and new signing Daniel Theis may not live up to expectations. This scenario places Maccabi fighting for a play-in spot (9th-12th place).

The pessimistic view for Maccabi anticipates early stumbles against weaker opponents and a delayed return to Israel, severely hindering playoff chances. Disappointing performances from Madar, Wallace, and Theis, with only Colson providing an upgrade, and a weak defense could see them finish 13th-16th.

For Hapoel Tel Aviv, the return of games to Israel is less critical. The optimistic scenario sees them starting strong, filling their arena, and rebuilding fan relations, with players like Elijah Bryant, Dan Or-Shoshan, and Vasilije Micić leading them to the Final Four (2nd-4th place).

The realistic scenario for Hapoel suggests a similar season to the last, competing for a top-four spot but ultimately falling in the playoffs (5th-7th place). While Bryant and Or-Shoshan remain top EuroLeague players, Micić's performance might mirror last season's, and other new signings may not make a significant impact.

In Hapoel's pessimistic outlook, a poor start, potential fan backlash, and a decline in performance from key players like Bryant, Or-Shoshan, and Micić could lead to coach Dimitris Itoudis's departure early in the season. Despite a strong roster, they might secure a play-in spot but miss the playoffs (8th-11th place).