As a public service to get your mind off of more depressing things, here’s a nice clip of Maceo Baston playing for Maccabi Tel-Aviv:
The clip is from the 2004-05 season, and the guy throwing the ball is Sarunas Jasikvicius, who was a rookie with the Indiana Pacers this year. Baston hasn’t given up hope returning to the NBA (he played all of 16 games with the Raptors in 2003) at some point:
“I would prefer to be player receiving a few minutes in the NBA than a star in Europe,” said Baston. “Every basketball player has to test himself out against the best. I see players like Boris Diaw [Phoenix Suns] or Tayshaun Prince [Detroit Pistons] and I feel that I can play in that league. I have no doubt about it.”
While Baston wants another shot at the NBA, he has a contract with Maccabi for next season and says that he will not be disappointed if he remains with the club. “I have to inform Maccabi by a certain date in August, and if I have to return to Tel Aviv, I will feel good about that.”
I’m sure if he came back next fall and spent an entire training camp with the right team he could make a 15-man roster, but I’m not sure many teams will be ready to hand him a guaranteed contract before camp starts, which might be what he’d want to leave money on the table in Europe. Either way, it’s good to see he’s doing well.
The 04-05 Euroleague’s Play Of The Season [YouTube]
Baston: I’d rather play NBA than be a star in Europe [HAARTZ.com]
Maceo Baston profile [Euroleague.net]
hi im tal from israel im a fan of maccabi tel aviv ,and im telling you that baston is a bad ass highflyer and we love him very much in israel , we lost to the russian team cska in the europe championship but next year we will take this title again .
p.s
ive got the nike zoom baston 3
and the nike zoom otis 2
BIG BEN=BIG BASTON=BOLBOL BASTON
maceo is the king!!
maceo baston and kei madison are the best dunkers in the world!!! next year maceo will be in the nba and you will see the baston effect(if you know what i mean)
kicks for sale:
air zoom otis 2
nike free corey 4.0
sacouny noyz
madison i love you
Hi my name is Nikole and I have been a huge Maceo Baston fan since he played for U of M. I wondered where he went and I would love if he returned to the states and played with the pistons. He would be a nice addition! I know you still got skills Maceo! I favorite number will forever be #30!!
I knew Maceo when he was kid. I remember when he was 6′3 at age 13 and dunking.