By Giorgos Adamopoulos/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes‘ back-to-back EuroLeague titles are one of the best recent stories in the sport. The Turkish team, coached by Ataman, won the titles consecutively in 2021 and 2022.
Shane Larkin sat down with Eurohoops to talk about the 2022 title win in Belgrade against Real Madrid. The legendary point guard discussed his conversations with Laso, Micic’s form, and what makes Ataman so special.
“We were up by 1, and we all thought they were definitely going to foul. Vasa (Micic) was having a really good game, shooting well from the field, just hitting some big shots”, he said about the end of the final.
“So we were like, Vasa is going to pick the ball. We were most aware of what the next play was going to be, hit those free throws, and were thinking about what we needed to do defensively. Then Vasa made the play and found me wide open at the corner. I miss that shot, but even if I miss that shot, the game was pretty much right there. We were a bit confused about why they did it. At the end of the day, it played well for us”, Larkin explained to Eurohoops.
Larkin laughed when asked if he talks about that Final Four with Pablo Laso, his current coach at Efes.
“Not really. We had some conversations about his days in Madrid. I think that’s a sensitive topic, we kinda let that one… and remain unspoken about”, Larkin said.
“It was a special moment for all of us because Vasa was going through some personal stuff at that time, for him, you know, not only to make that shot in the semifinal, but then also to win a championship in Belgrade in front os his parents. And then be able to celebrate things in that kind of atmosphere because Vasa’s not a big party guy, but seeing him, who is a pretty serious guy and takes his job seriously… be able to be with him in a nightclub in Belgrade after winning the ultimate championship in Europe, to see his excitement and see people around enjoying that atmosphere with him. That was a special moment for all of us as a team”, he explained during the interview.
Finally, he explained what makes Ataman special and why he has helped them play the finals in a relaxed manner.
“Coach Ataman has a very specific way of going about his team and how he likes to coach. He’s going to approach the first game of the league season the same way he approaches the championship game. He’s going to prepare his team the same way. He’s going to run the same plays, defense is going to be pretty much the same. It’s about my guys and our rhythm and our trust within each other”, he said about Ergin.
“He wants you to be relaxed, he doesn’t put the pressure on you like a championship game. He’s like: “ You play basketball today, it’s a basketball game. If you win it, we’re champions”, Larkin concluded.