The Euroleague champions took to the hardwood for the first time in the 2014-15 season with a general practice. Pnini, Sofo, and Smith were not in attendance. Omri Casspi and Dragan Bender filled in.
By Amy Samin
Let’s get it started. Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv held its first practice of the 2014-15 season at Nokia Arena. It was the first practice led by Maccabi’s new head coach, Guy Goodes, aided by his assistants Pini Gershon and Alon Stein. Also present were Yogev Ohayon, Sylven Landesberg, and Alex Tyus, all of whom are returning from last season, Jeremy Pargo, who has returned to the club after an absence of several years, Jake Cohen and Idan Zalmanson, who have returned after being loaned out last season, new players Nate Linhart, Brian Randle, and MarQuez Haynes, along with the talented young newcomer Dragan Bender and practice player Joseph Forte.
Goodes said at the start of practice: “It’s very exciting. All day long I thought about the start of practice. We’re about a week to ten days late getting started because of the situation we had here in Israel. It’s exciting. The same people who have been with me since back when I was a player, the same backdrop, but now I’m in the driver’s seat, taking the truck in a new direction.”
“Once you’re an assistant coach, you’re a partner in everything but not in charge. Now I am in the driver’s seat. My path here was long, important, and done the right way. Everything was in stages. I feel ready and capable of meeting the challenge that is Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. It’s a complex challenge, and the goal is to lead the team to the highest possible achievements to which we can aspire.”
When asked how it was to work with Pini, Goodes replied, “It’s amazing. I told the guys that they have the honor of playing for a coach who has won three Euroleague championships. Of course I had some concerns, but once the decision was made I went forward wholeheartedly. The work is fun – Pini was once my coach, and we’ve known each other for many years. Pini is at his peak age-wise, starting something new, and I believe he has lot of motivation, because if everyone is successful then he is, too. After a season in which we won all possible titles, we need the most experienced staff possible, one that will work together. I talked to each of the guys when he signed his contract, and explained things to those who don’t know what the aspirations are and where we want to go.”
