When first trying to describe my experience with the Maccabe-Rishon family, one can only say that it was magical, fantastic and moving. Coming to Israel was not a quest that I had envisioned nor had in my plans for my basketball career. After having a successful stint in Montpelier-France, I truly had planned on going back to the United States, to finish the basket and be with my family and maybe, try for the NBA once more. Then I met Isaac Peri, a man with a passion so strong for the Maccabe-Rishon basketball organization and the city. I was overwhelmed with his enthusiasm and dreams of the future of the club. Then the strangest thing happened...the player that I had just finished playing with in France (Andre Spencer) had already signed a contract with this particular club and to find him here and having the opportunity to play once more with such a talented ball player again, was a no-brainer. With the llikes of Israeli basketball legends Mickey Berkowitz and Haim Zlatikman also being on this team, it was a question through out Israel how good can this team be? Who would have thought, that a team with a little Yemanite point guard, would make waves and thunder throughout the global world. With Israeli-American Korky Nelson being the air craft carrier and Max Blank, being the anticipated power forward, the league had no fear in thinking that this team of misfits, would make the whole league take notice and fear its power and agression. The future,was with the young Tomer and the glue to the team with the old master Morti Aresti. This team displayed basketball play at the finest level ever shown in Israel.
As the season began, it was clear that Maccabe-Rishon was going to get their respect one way or another....by fighting game in and game out against the least and the best (Maccabe-tel Aviv)Coach by the never shaken Moshe Vinekroff, people all over Israel, began to believe that there was something special about this team and it's manner and passion. With the support of Raffi, Yarum, Shlomo and Elimelach Heller behind the scenes making sure that all was in order for the players, staff and team, The city of Rishon Le zion came alive and was proud of this team and showed it at all games home and away. With the kid Spencer flying and portraying himself like Jordan, Mickey playing like he was 20 years younger, Haim confusing defenses that couldn't stop him and me, Geno Banks, being the cagy veteran finding every way to win, the season in 1990-91 was one that many Israeli's, young and old could only dream about but we LIVED it and made it so. Even Bousani (the little Yemanite) became feared for his deadly point range 3 pointers and Kory Nelson for his strength and knowledge in the paint...this team wasn't going to be denied and they weren't. Only the powerful money supported Maccabe-Tel Aviv, was able to hinder this Rishon train, from becoming the greatest team ever in the basketball history of Israel. Israel is a great country and the year of 1990-91 was a year that Rishon made the country stand still, ponder and appreciate teamwork at it's best. Not even the great team of Maccabe-Tel Aviv recieved the highest respect during that year because they were SUPPOSE to win, by the standards that had been placed on them and the tons of dollars (shekels) that were spent. All Maccabe-Rishon had was heart, guts, passion and the spirit, to be winners...and nothing would deny them that right once they were on the court playing together...as a team.
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