After Panathinaikos' 87–83 Game 1 win over Efes, Ergin Ataman delivered a fiery press conference, accusing Luca Banchi of distrust and defending his own coaching integrity.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens took a 1–0 lead in their playoff series against Anadolu Efes Istanbul with a hard-fought 87–83 win. After the game, coach Ergin Ataman delivered a fiery press conference that matched the intensity on the court.
Ataman openly criticized Efes coach Luca Banchi for choosing to hold practice at the Peace and Friendship Stadium instead of OAKA, allegedly hinting that Ataman watches and shows his players other teams' practices.
"I like to say to my friend Luca Banchi, I hate the people who smile in your face and then do some things behind your back to show something," Ataman stated.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
40
|
| Juan Hernangomez | |
| Points | 20 |
| Accuracy | 9-12 |
| Rebounds | 16 |
| Assists | 3 |
"Luca [Banchi], you can ask your players at Efes if I ever showed them any practice of the opposing team? What is the reason you didn't practice in OAKA and practiced at Olympiacos, in the Piraeus Arena [SEF]?" Ataman questioned.
"I worked for five years in this club, ask your players. Ask Shane Larkin, ask Elijah Bryant, if I ever showed my players on camera a practice of the opposing team. If so, I will retire from coaching tomorrow. Go tomorrow to also practice in Piraeus. That's all."
Game 2 is set for Thursday night — and it's already shaping up to be just as heated.
