Arik said:
I don't know how old are you, but I support Maccabi more than 20 years. There were good and bad times in the team during those years, but it always was and will be one of the BIGGEST clubs in Europe. With all the respect to new coach Spahija and many new players who came some weeks ago to Tel Aviv to play in OUR team, they still didn't prove themselves to be called Maccabi. Of course, every club and even BIG club like MTA can lose a game, but three defeats in the row and more important for me thing - lack of motivation to fight, are bad news for many real Maccabists who care for the club. I still believe that Spahija and his new players will begin to understand what yellow-blue jerseys mean and they'll begin to fight for every ball. Time will say.
I support Maccabi for 19 years - it's just a litttle bit less than you.
And I also remember Maccabi in 90s - good times and bad times, and I remember Maccabi losing to Miami Heat in beginning of 99/00 season (actually they beat crap out of us) in TA - that year, with McDonald, Huffman and Parker, we got to Euroleague final in Saloniki. So, please, stop whining! It's only practice!
Actually I liked Maccabi playing last game (3 quarters of it for sure). After that it was obvious that 3 games (48 minutes each) in 4 days it's a bit much for them! And they played against one of the best offencive teams in NBA! And Arnold wasn't playing! And of course Tal and Noel still aren't there. I wasn't blindly looking for excuses - I just was thinking positive! Maccabi still have a lot of things to improve, and I do think all this tournament (and tour to NA coming) is not helping. (Not that Maccabi can cancel it now... Responcibilities of being big team in Europe...). But they do show signs that they will be good team - different, but good anyway! Just wait and see!
And I am sorry if I did hurt you, but I'm just sick of all whining in last summer and fall - "Noone can replace Parker", "Maccabi has worst team ever", etc.
I love Parker, mind you, but he's GONE! I love Sharas (obviously), but he's gone too. I have big place in my heart for Mace, but guess what? He's gone too! LET GO!
I keep telling here and on other forums and talk-backs - give the team the time and space - they will be good. And don't tell me they don't have a motivation to fight - they do and I saw it! Halperin and Eliyahu want to get to NBA, Bynum and Buford (probably) too. Green puts all his hearth on the court! Nicola seems as being frustrated by Mace leaving, but he's playing better in last games (yes in defeats he played better than against Bologna).
Jasaitis plays well (and in last game Maccabi started to use (finally) combinations to free him and Shason and Buford to score)!
And Spahija (he won us twice last year, remember?) and Derek don't have to prove anything to you or anyone else!
) Halperin made some nice plays, but I think he should get more responsibility in the game (and Bynum less). I know it's Maccabi and not Olimpija, but still. I was impressed with Eliyahu-great talent.
That's not our Maccabi... 
