February 4, 2012 | 6:02 pm

Where is the Next Big Jewish Basketball Star?

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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The NBA is up and running. Omri Casspi is starting without very impressive numbers and Jordan Farmar remains a solid backup on the verge of leading a team. Since everything is status quo with our star NBA players, TGR begs to ask the question, who is next? (Not a Goldberg reference).


In the college game right now, our upperclassmen and top scorers play for small schools. Certainly Zach Rosen and Jake Cohen will have a chance to play overseas, but it is unlikely either will make the NBA. Corbin Moore and Chris Wroblewski have improved but there chances are even dimmer. 


If we look at some of the younger players at top programs, we have a few. Jacob Susskind at Maryland, Danny Rubin at Boston College, and Nate Lubick at Georgetown. As of now none of them show NBA caliber potential  but should improve at these big time programs. Also, next year Aaron Liberman will join the Northwestern Wildcats. At 6’9 he is a project but could have some potential if he puts on weight, but again NBA is very unlikely.





So we look overseas to Israel. I bring to you Idam Zalmanson, a 6’9 forward who is only 16 and already playing with the pros. He is not draft eligible until 2017, but with his size could make Zalmanson the next big Jewish star. He was pre-draft already by Maccabi Tel Aviv, so he will get top competition and European recognition.


Of course, there is the outside chance that Jon Scheyer or Sylven Landesberg put it together and make a run at the NBA, but neither has been NBA impressive in their short time in Israel. Landesberg is averging 21.8 ppg but his team has been a big let down at 3-12.


So watch out for Zalmanson even if its a little ways away, so until then enjoy the Casspi and Farmar moments.
And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine

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February 1, 2012 | 9:37 am

The Jewish Royal Rumble

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Long time TGR fan Henry Bernstein tweeted The Great Rabbino wanting to know about Jews in the Rumble. Last night Sheamus won the 25th Rumble, making the Jewish wrestlers 0 for 25 trying to win the rumble. But…that doesn’t not mean we have come close. Below are some of the Jewish Royal Rumble highlights. All wrestlers are believed to be Jewish according to OnlineWorldofWrestling.com (Note: Marc Mero and DDP have been removed from the list).

1989 - The first Jew to compete in the the Rumble was Randy Macho Man Savage enter at #15 in the second ever Rumble. He was later to be tossed over the top by Hulk Hogan. Along the way he Savage eliminated Tito Santana, Greg The Hammer Valentine, and Shawn Michaels.

1990 - Savage entered as #5.

1991 - Savaged was supposed to appear in his third Rumble but he never made it to the ring. I guess that means he never went over the top. But never fear Brian Knobbs, one half of the nasty boys, showed up at number 28 and was eliminated by best real life buddy Hulk Hogan. Thus far Hogan has dominated the Jews in the rumble.

1992 - The other half of the Nasty Boys, Jerry Sags enters at #4 and Savage at #21. Savage lasted over 22 minutes while Sags was only in the ring for a mere 1 minute ans 6 seconds.

1993 - Knobbs and Sags both appeared, as did Savage. Sags lasted almost 22 minutes, nearly tying Savages’ Jewish record. Savage, who enter #30 was the runner up losing to Yokozuna.

1995 - Diesel (Kevin Nash) made his first appearance lasting 17 minutes and eliminating 6 competitors before being thrown over the top by 5 men (Bigelow, Mabel, Plugg, Michaels & Crush). Savage also appeared entering and leaving as #11.

1996 -  Barry Horowitz enter at #25 and lasted 10 minutes. Isaac Yankem (Kane) entered at #27. Diesel was the runner up being eliminated by Shawn Michaels. All three Jewish competitors were in the ring at the same time.

1997 - Diesel entered at #23.

1998 - Steve Blackman enter at #10 in his first Rumble appearance but was the 4th man eliminated.

1999 - Blackman enter #7 and again was the 4th person to exit. Kane enter as #18 and eliminated himself 53 seconds later.

2000 - At Madison Square Garden, Blackman lasted until number 6 after entering at #7. Prince Albert entered at #22 and was eliminated by fellow Jew, Kane who entered at #28. Kane eliminated 3 competitors before being thrown over the top by X-Pac.

2001 - Another Jewish runner-up Kane was tossed over by Stone Cold Steve Austin but not before eliminated a record 10 wrestlers (7 in a row). Albert entered at #17, Blackman at #10, and Raven in his first Rumble at #7 were all apart of Kane’s destruction.

2002 - Albert entered at #14. Kane entered at #28 and was thrown over by Kurt Angle in his first Rumble appearance. Angle become the 4th Jewish Rumble runner-up losing to Triple H.

2003 - Kane and A-Train both competed. Kane eliminated A-Train. This is also the third different name Albert competed under (Prince Albert, Albert, and A-Train).

2004 - Kane, Angle, and A-Train entered and lost. Angle fairing the best. #30 was Goldberg in his first Rumble appearance and he was eliminated by Angle.

2005 - Kane and Angle both competed.

2006 - Kane enter as #9 and was thrown over the top by Triple H after only 3 minutes and 33 seconds.

2007 - Kane appeared in his record setting 9th consecutive appearance and 11th overall breaking his and Rikishi’s record.

2008 - Kane finished 4th.

2009 - Kane was thrown over by all 3 members of Legacy (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.).

2010 - Kane was eliminated by Triple H early on.

2011 - The return of Diesel and Kane entered at #30, finishing 26 and 34 respectively in the 40 man Royal Rumble.

2012 - No Jews competed. First time since the inaugural Royal Rumble.

Hopefully, we get over the runner up syndrome. Maybe Kane can squeak one out one of these days.

Some notable Jews who were active WWE wrestlers and never competed in the Royal Rumble were Dean Malenko, Scotty Goldman, Billy Kidman, The Genius, and Matt Striker.

So if we put all the Jewish wrestlers in the ring (Savage, Knobbs, Sags, Diesel, Horowitz, Kane, Blackman, Albert, Raven, Angle, and Goldberg, plus Malenko, Goldman, Kidman, The Genius, and Striker) who wins? I think its safe to say it comes down to Savage, Diesel, and Kane with Kane finally getting his shot at Wrestlemania.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine

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January 26, 2012 | 6:56 am

Under the Radar

Posted by Jeremy Fine

I am not sure how this got by me. It has all the things I am passionate about. Jewish education (Solomon Schechter no less) and a major college basketball team.

Meet Jacob Susskind, alumnus of Solomon Schechter/Golda Och, freshman for the Maryland Terps. Click HERE to read more. Thank you to Richard Lerner for sending this in.

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January 26, 2012 | 6:55 am

Interview: Former ‘Cuse Player Ross Diliegro

Posted by Jeremy Fine

A while back we interviewed, then, New Hampshire center Dane Diliegro. Dane was an excellent player, but apparently he learned it all from his big bro. While Dane was in High School, Ross was at Syracuse with Eric Devendorf leading the way. More recently Ross participated in the Maccabi games and he told us all about his experience.

1) Tell TGR a little bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Lexington, MA, went to school at Syracuse, and now live in NYC. 

Just kidding. Kind of. It was incredible – to be able to play for a hall of fame coach and be part of an elite program is something I certainly didn’t take for granted. People in Central New York bleed orange, and the support the show to the team is unparalleled anywhere. I’m proud to have been a part of the program for four years as a player and one as a student assistant coach (while in grad school), and I wouldn’t trade my experience there for anything. 

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January 25, 2012 | 9:36 am

Leading Jewish Scorers in the NCAA

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Below is a looking into how the Jewish college players are scoring up until this point. We are a little over a month away from March Madness. Hopefully, all of these players and teams turn it up a notch.

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January 24, 2012 | 5:51 am

Farmar is Hot

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Jordan Farmar continued his hot shooting last night in a loss to the Bulls. Farmar, who plays behind Deron Williams, dropped 22 pts and added 4 assists. This has come on the heels for a great streak for Farmar. With Rookie MarShon Brooks out, Farmar has made the most of his time. He has scored in double figures six times in his last eight games and is averaging 13.5 points over that span. He continues to see around 20 minutes off the bench and is shooting 47% . Hopefully, Farmar can keep it up and revert back to his UCLA days (I added that because its College Basketball Week).

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January 24, 2012 | 5:44 am

Interview: Stoney Brook’s Ben Resner

Posted by Jeremy Fine

TGR is kicking off College Basketball week. We begin with D1 player and former Maccabi participant, Ben Resner. His life long dream is coming true and it looks like Stoney Brook could be headed to tournament, so pay attention to Resner and SeaWolves.

1) Tell TGR about yourself?
I’m 20 years old, grew up on Long Island and went to Harborfields High School. I’m also a die hard Knick fan.

2) When did you start playing basketball? When did you realize you were good enough to play in college?
I’ve played basketball legitimately my entire life. There is a picture of me playing basketball (on a smaller scale) on my first birthday. I eat,  sleep, and breath basketball. I went to see Hofstra play when I was around 11 and I always thought I could play around that level if I worked hard and reached my potential.

3) Is it true you played for the Maccabi Games back in the day? What was that like?
I actually played in a couple Maccabi games. I played for Suffolk County for 3 years, the last of which we won gold on a 3 pt buzzer beater I made in the championship.  I also played for team USA in the Pan American games where we also won gold. All of them, especially those two  I mentioned were great experiences traveling, winning, and building friendships that I will never forget.

4) How’s your experience been at Stoney Brook?
My experience at Stony Brook has been up and down. Im very grateful for the opportunity that the coaching staff has given me, but I have a lot of unfinished goals that I am still trying to reach in the next two and a half years.

5) Does the team have a shot at the NCAA Tournament?
We actually lost to Boston University in the America East championship last year on two free throws with two seconds left. This year, we are in first place in the conference and everyone is expecting this to be the year that we win the championship and make the tournament. If we dont, everyone will see this season as a failure.

6) You played against Indiana to open the season. Do you think they have a legitimate chance of going to the Final Four?
Indiana is a really good team, and they already beat some of the best teams in the country. They were impressive when we played them, and I think they have as good a shot of making a run to the Final Four as anyone.

7) What are your plans after your playing days at Stoney Brook?
After my career is over here, I am hoping to become a college coach at the Division 1 level. I love to scout/recruit, and hopefully one day will have my own team to try and lead to the tournament.

8) What is your greatest Jewish memory from your childhood?
My greatest Jewish memory I guess has to be my Bar Mitzvah. Becoming a man and having family and friends around to share the accomplishment is something every jewish kid should experience.

9) Do you know any other Jewish basketball players in the NCAA? Any to watch out for?
I know Josh Elbaum, who plays at Vermont, because we basically grew up playing together. I dont know any others personally but I know Jake Cohen from Davidson is a great player.He actually won the Maccabi Gold my second year.

10) Anything else the TGR fans should know?
 TGR fans should look for SBU and follow us as we try to make a run to the big dance!

Thank you to Ben. Good luck this season. We will be watching.
And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine

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January 20, 2012 | 10:41 am

UJA Event a Big Success

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Last night I had the privilege to sit in a room with over 150 other Jewish sports fans and hear the legendary Mad Dog Russo. Mad Dog talked sports and give us insight in some pivotal moments in NFL history. The night didn’t end there. Silent and live auctions featuring everything from a Yankees dream outing to a Justin Tuck signed helmet. After dinner everyone gathered for dessert, pool, pop-a-shot, and an amazing poker tournament.

Yasher Koach to Dan Burton (one of the hosts) and the entire UJA group who organized it. The group has brought in the likes of Stephan Marbury and Bob Costas in the past. And every year the group grows.

A tremendous night of sports talk and enthusiastic Jewish people helping the UJA raised money.

Well done everyone.

And Let Us Say…Amern.
- Jeremy Fine

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