Maccabi’s coach returned from a two-day conference at Euroleague headquarters in Barcelona filled with enthusiasm: “It’s going to be an exciting and busy season. The fans are going to love the intense rivalries and the packed schedule.”
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By Amy Samin
It was an interesting couple of days for the men who will be coaching the top teams in Europe this coming season, as they attended the annual coach’s conference at the Euroleague’s headquarters in Barcelona. For the first time in its history, the 2016-17 Euroleague will be a true league, with a 30-game season that will provide European basketball fans with a feast for the senses.
Naturally, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv’s new head coach, Erez Edelstein, took part in various workshops, brainstorming sessions, and decisions regarding changes in officiating criteria (more on that later). “It was a real pleasure to participate in the conference and to exchange ideas with the best coaches on the Continent.” Edelstein went on, “Beyond that, I think this meeting made very clear to everyone that the coming season is going to be both very exciting and very busy.”
“The slogan of the Euroleague is “The New Era” and I believe it will be like nothing we’ve ever seen. The fans will not only enjoy a greater number of games, but also intense rivalries and some intense weeks during which we will play two games. At the same time, we’ll have to do a lot of match-ups and thinking about managing the roster, because the crowded schedule won’t let us do anything else. I can’t wait for the experience.”
During the conference, the coaches decided upon a pretty dramatic change in the rules of the game, with the goal being to make the games more exciting and cleaner. According to the decision, starting this coming season fouls committed by a defender purely in an effort to stop a fast break, and without making a play for the ball, will be deemed unsportsmanlike. This will result in two free throws for the offensive team, and retained possession of the ball. The effect will be to promote the fast break and transition basketball that is more exciting to the fans.
