Ahead of the game of Hapoel Jerusalem’s Champiosn League game against AEK in Athens on Wednesday at 21:30 Israel time, The Sports Rabbi, Josh Halickman caught up with J’Covan Brown who looked back at his team’s last game versus Haifa while also sharing what the club needs to do to pick up the win in Greece.
“We tried to come out and execute the game plan against Haifa, but we have to get better. We’re missing a very important piece on our team in Trent and everyone knows what he brings, that toughness. Whoever steps on the floor, everyone has to do it as a team, as individuals and give what Trent brought to this team.”

Having big man Idan Zalamanson lead the team with 17 points against the Greens:
“This is our team and this is our character. On any given night someone can do and step up; that’s the big plus of our team. We have to do it on the other end. Offense is going to take care of itself but on the defensive end we have to do it as a team.”

Picking up the slack for Trent Lockett:
“We all could do it as individuals. Trent has the gift that he wants to step on the floor and be the toughest guy as a defender. With him missing, that hurts us but we have to do it together. Everybody in that locker-room can do it it’s just the will if you want to do it. I feel like we have to challenge ourselves more and more and if we can’t do it, we can’t be on the floor.”

About AEK:
“I don’t like when your throw that around, ‘make it or break it’ because every game is important for us. It doesn’t matter if we are playing a third division or fourth division team, AEK, Maccabi or Haifa. Every game should be the same. When you step on that floor you should want to be the best. We know what AEK will bring to the table on both ends of the floor and they also just added Mario Chalmers, so it’s definitely going to be tough for us. Last year we did it. Of course we feel that if we execute the game plan on offense and defense its definitely going to take care of itself.”