When Anthony Lamb signed with Hapoel Jerusalem over the summer, expectations were understandably high. The forward arrived with NBA experience from the Golden State Warriors and recent stints with the New Zealand Breakers and Aquila Trento, and was hailed as one of the club’s most significant additions in recent years. But as is often the case in professional basketball, the fanfare surrounding a signing does not always translate into instant dominance.
Through much of the season, Lamb’s numbers have been modest. In EuroCup play, he has averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while in Israeli league action, he has posted 6.5 points and 4.5 boards across 13 appearances. Those figures likely fall short of what many supporters envisioned when he arrived in Jerusalem, and his uneven start was part of the reason the club brought in Isaiah Mobley to bolster the frontcourt.
Still, integrating into a team is rarely seamless, particularly one that retained much of its core from last season. Chemistry, roles, and rhythm take time to develop. Lamb has shown flashes in European competition, but domestically, he has struggled with efficiency, especially from beyond the arc. He was even left out of the State Cup squad that defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv earlier in the campaign.
Yet patience may be paying off.
In Hapoel’s 114-104 overtime victory over Cluj, Lamb delivered one of his most complete performances. Head coach Yonatan Alon highlighted his impact, particularly in the extra session. Lamb finished with a +13 rating and played a key role in building a 20-plus-point third-quarter lead. Notably, he was not on the floor during the fourth-quarter collapse that allowed Cluj to force overtime. When the game hung in the balance, Lamb’s energy, defense, and composure helped secure first place in EuroCup Division A and the crucial home-court advantage that comes with it.
He carried that momentum into the next Israeli league clash against archrival Hapoel Tel Aviv, drilling three three-pointers to open the second half and helping put away another derby victory. It was the type of stretch that reminded fans why Jerusalem pursued him so aggressively.
Anthony Lamb's future with Hapoel Jerusalem
With the EuroCup postseason approaching and a State Cup semifinal Classico against Maccabi Tel Aviv looming at Yad Eliyahu, Lamb appears poised to become a central figure in Hapoel’s title push. His versatility, size, and experience give Alon options at both ends of the floor, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Following the Cluj win, Lamb spoke about the challenge ahead.
“They’re a really good team,” he said of Cluj. “You see how deadly they are at any point in the game to just take off and really put pressure with the scoring. But we fought through and were able to make the plays to get to overtime and eventually win the game. Amazing game.”
Securing first place means potential playoff games will be played at the Pais Arena, where Jerusalem’s supporters can make a decisive difference.
“Anytime we play in front of our fans, they take us to another level that nobody else can match,” Lamb said. “The energy they bring is unbelievable. They show us so much love. As many games as we can get here, that gives us the best opportunity to win and go all the way.”
The objective, he emphasized, has not changed since day one.
“That’s what our team’s built for. We’re built to win, built to finish the season off. Our objective from the start of the year is to win the championship, so that’s what we’re going after.”
A major reason Jerusalem remains a legitimate contender is Jared Harper. The reigning EuroCup MVP poured in 30 points against Cluj and once again demonstrated his ability to control late-game situations. In tight contests – whether in EuroCup or domestic play – the ball inevitably finds its way into Harper’s hands.
“In the crunch, we all lean toward Jared,” Lamb admitted. “We trust that he can make the plays he needs to. He’s really good at operating with the clock. If we’re up a couple of points late, we know what we have to do to finish the job.”
Close finishes have become the norm in European competition, and Lamb understands how critical execution is when margins shrink.
“All these games are five-point games,” he said. “If you have somebody who can really finish, that’s what takes you over the top.”
Jerusalem has endured stretches of inconsistency this season, including the near collapse against Cluj, when a 23-point lead evaporated. For Lamb, those swings are part of the sport’s reality.
“Basketball is an imperfect sport,” he reflected. “You get ups and downs, runs from both teams. We were up 20, and then they made their push. That’s part of what makes the game beautiful.”
The key, he noted, is resilience.
“You can’t promise you’ll always have it in the moment you need it, but that’s why you train and practice – to be ready when it comes. Turn a ten-point run into five. Turn five into one possession. That’s what great teams are built on.”
As the season enters its decisive stretch, Hapoel Jerusalem’s ambitions remain intact: three trophies are still within reach. If Lamb continues trending upward, combining his NBA-tested experience with growing comfort in Alon’s system, the Reds may yet see the version of the forward they envisioned when he first arrived.
For now, the signs are encouraging. And with everything on the line, that may be exactly what Jerusalem needs.
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