Maccabi Tel Aviv's Three-Point Shooting Woes Plague Early EuroLeague Struggles

Maccabi Tel Aviv has begun its EuroLeague season with three consecutive losses, marking its worst start since the competition's inception. This poor performance has turned Sunday's critical Winner Cup semi-final against Hapoel Jerusalem into a must-win game for coach Oded Katash's team. Despite a summer of high-profile signings and what Chairman Shimon Mizrahi claims was the club's highest-ever budget, the team is struggling significantly from beyond the arc, shooting a league-worst 24% (18 of 75) in the EuroLeague. In contrast, opponents have shot an impressive 46.6% (48 of 103).

The team's shooting woes extend beyond a simple matter of good or bad days. While statistics show some missed open shots, many players are simply not strong three-point shooters. Furthermore, the team's best long-range shooters from previous seasons are no longer with the club. Last year, Maccabi ranked 12th in the EuroLeague for three-point percentage at 35.2%, with key contributors like Marcio Santos (40%), Tamir Blatt (38%), and Lonnie Walker (35.1%) no longer on the roster. Among new summer acquisitions, only Bonzie Colson and Kithon Wallace (with limited attempts) are shooting above the EuroLeague average, but they are expected to be primary players, which could lower their percentages.

Players like Josh Nebo, Osei Brissett, Jalen Hurd, and J.J. Clark shot poorly from three last season, and Yam Madar, despite a strong Israeli league playoff performance, has shot only 29% from three in his EuroLeague career. The article suggests that even an average performance from the current roster might not be enough. Potential solutions include increasing the playing time of naturalized players Jake Rayman and John DiBartolomeo, who shot 38% from three last season and can space the floor. Another option is to strengthen the roster by acquiring players from the NBA G-League or those released before the season starts, as some opponents have guards who are currently outperforming Maccabi's entire backcourt.

Additionally, the team could utilize Bonzie Colson more effectively as a primary scorer, as he has the potential to significantly improve his shooting percentages. Last season, he averaged 9.4 three-point attempts per game, and with the current roster, he could be taking 12-14 attempts. Utilizing high screens from big men like Josh Nebo or Jalen Hurd could also create better shooting opportunities for guards. Defensively, the team needs to improve communication and coordination, especially given the lack of defensive prowess from centers Daniel Theis and Roman Sorkin. A strategy of sticking closely to good three-point shooters, even if it means choosing which offensive threat to concede, could be beneficial. Focusing on defensive rebounding and transition play, particularly against opponents like Hapoel Jerusalem whose star player operates in the paint, might also be a viable approach.