By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos defeated Mykonos 99-75 in the first game of the Stoiximan GBL Quarterfinal series.
In this way, PAO achieved its first victory after being eliminated by Valencia in the EuroLeague Quarterfinals and leads the series 2-0.
After the match, Ergin Ataman gave his comments, and he also spoke about the words of Ofer Yannay, who made comments following Panathinaikos’ loss in Valencia, particularly regarding the words of the Turkish coach about T.J. Shorts at halftime of that game.
“Disrespectful and outrageous… BTW coach Ataman from what I heard your players felt they don’t have a coach”
Now followed Ataman’s response, who did not spare the owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv.
“In the last game, at halftime, I said something about our offense, mentioning that when T.J. Shorts is in the game, we play 4 against 5 in offense. It was a tactical comment because the Valencia team, when Shorts is on the court, knows that he refuses to take shots. They play with his defender in the zone, making it difficult for us to organize the game.
For this reason, I said that in the second half we would use Toliopoulos more, as he can shoot. It was a tactical mention. I respect all our fans, the media, our president, our management, even when they criticize me, the team, or what I say. But I have never made any statements in my career against the opponent team’s coach, players, or now, their president.”
Turkish coach added that Yannay made very disrespectful comments about him.
“After managing this, I saw that the president of Hapoel Tel Aviv, whom I don’t know because it’s the first time I see him in sports at our level, in the EuroLeague. I’ve been here for 25 years. He made a statement calling it disrespectful and scandalous. By the way, he knows my name very well, of course, he must know, because I’m 25 years in this EuroLeague with 3 EuroLeague titles and 5 EuroLeague Final Fours.
From what I heard, I know from whom he heard it. Your players acted as if they did not have a coach. The president talked about this. I want to say to the president, I don’t know you, maybe you are a good guy, but you are very disrespectful against another club, another coach. Focus on your own coach, players, and team. Watch your results.
This is your first year in the EuroLeague. You don’t have any rights to talk about me. And from whom you heard this, be courageous and say it, not you, you are the president. I want to say this is very important to me because I cannot accept the comments of some people who are my opponents. They need to be respectful. Talk with your players, and for the last thing that I say, I heard that.”
Ataman concluded in the same fashion.
“But even if you make a 100 million budget with this mentality, you will not win anything. You will never come to my level. Never come to my level. OK. You will not win even one EuroLeague. I won 3 EuroLeagues in the last 5 years. Shut up and talk with your team.”