Jonathan Elon: “I Am Responsible for Carrington’s Performance”
Pre-Match Insights Before Game 2 Against Maccabi Tel Aviv
As the stakes rise, Hapoel Jerusalem will host Maccabi Tel Aviv tomorrow (Thursday, 20:50, live on 5SPORT) for the second match of the championship series. The team from Jerusalem understands that a loss could lead to a yellow championship celebration at the Arena, which is expected to be filled to capacity. Just before the critical encounter, head coach Jonathan Elon shared his thoughts on the previous game.
Evaluating Game 1
“We allowed them to play too freely,” said Elon. “We need to be much more aggressive and determined to win the 50/50 balls. This is not just about them showcasing a great performance while we faltered; they dominated the finer details, such as maintaining their free-throw percentage, which ultimately led them to victory.”
On preparations for the upcoming game, he emphasized, “We are doing what is expected of us. With our backs against the wall, this game could either end our season or bring us within 40 minutes of the championship. We know the ramifications, and now we need to execute on the court.”
Addressing Player Performance
Elon acknowledged the recent struggles of player Kaiden Carrington, stating, “His performance? That’s on me. I need to do a better job with him, providing him with better looks. We will correct that.”
Regarding previous victories over both Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv during the regular season, Elon remarked, “We don’t need to dwell on those past wins; we believe in ourselves and know it’s in our hands. They understand they need to stop us.”
Anticipation for Game Day Atmosphere
Concluding his remarks, Coach Elon expressed excitement about the atmosphere expected at the Arena: “It will be an ambiance that only Hapoel Jerusalem fans can create in the country. I expect to see our red mountain erupt with energy. They can help us secure this victory.”
Carrington’s Take on the Tournament
Following Elon, Kaiden Carrington also shared his perspective, commenting on Game 1: “We lost, of course, but we had some good shots and played well defensively. We need to tighten a few things up to win the next game.”
Focus on Improvements
Outlining what the team must do to succeed in the upcoming match, Carrington noted, “We need to replicate what we did last time. I had good looks in the last game, but they just didn’t go in. We need to be more focused on our shots and prepared; sometimes they fall, sometimes they don’t, but tomorrow they have to.”
Carrington added, “We need to make a few adjustments, but not many. I know what I need to do to help my team win. We have players here who thrive in crucial games, which helps all of us.”
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the difference between competing against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi, he stated, “These are two different teams with different dynamics. Basketball requires us to adapt, and I feel we’ve dstart that in recent days; we need to be ready.”
Sharing his aspiration, Carrington expressed, “I really want to bring a championship to the city of Jerusalem. We’ve reached the semifinals in the past two years, so this would mean a lot for the city, us, the fans, and the management.”
Rivalry on the Court
On his friendship with Maccabi’s player, Liwai Randolph, Carrington commented, “He’s my friend, but in the playoffs, right now, we’re trying to win and take each other down – we’ll talk after the series.”
As for expectations, Carrington anticipates a better atmosphere in their home court compared to Maccabi’s venue. “I expect support from our crowd. Many people are asking me for tickets, and I don’t have any to give. I hope the fans come out and push us as they always do.”
This pivotal Game 2 is set to be a crucial moment for Hapoel Jerusalem, with hopes for a comeback in the series. Fans are encouraged to rally behind their team, as support from the stands could be decisive for the home side’s quest for the championship