Maccabi Tel Aviv’s backcourt is shaping up to be one of the best in European basketball as it signs Greek legend Theodoros Papaloukas.
By ALLON SINAIMaccabi Tel Aviv signs Greek Legent Paploukos 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS)
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s backcourt is shaping up to be one of the best in European basketball next season after the yellow-and-blue signed Greek legend Theodoros Papaloukas to a one-year deal on Saturday.The 34-year-old guard, who was the 2006 FIBA European player of the year, has relatively modest numbers in his 10 seasons in the Euroleague, averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds.However, he has been regarded as one of the best playmakers on the continent over the past decade, lifting the Euroleague title in 2006 and 2008 with CSKA Moscow, while reaching eight consecutive Euroleague Final Four’s at one stage.
Papaloukas was one of the best paid players in Europe in recent years, making an estimated 3.5 million euros at Greek club Olympiacos last season.However, he will be earning far less at Maccabi as he joins a backcourt which already includes, Jeremy Pargo, Devin Smith, Yogev Ohayon, Tal Burstein, Jon Scheyer and Jordon Farmer, who will return to the New Jersey Nets once the NBA lockout ends.Papaloukas was often a thorn in Maccabi’s side over the last decade, beating the yellow-and-blue in the final on the way to both his Euroleague triumphs.The 2.00-meter guard has also led Greece to some of its greatest ever moments, helping it to the European title in 2005 and taking it to the final of the 2006 World Championships, beating the USA in the semifinals.
