Ergin Ataman finds peace with Jasikevicius after incident in Istanbul / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman confirmed that he's on good terms with Sarunas Jasikevicius after spying incident in Istanbul.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach Ergin Ataman and FC Barcelona head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius are friends again.

2-pointers this season

57%19,6Points made:19,6Accuracy:57,1%Place in standings:8Record max:27Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Jan VeselyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

On November 17, Jasikevicius accused Efes' coaching staff of spying on Barcelona's practice, but on Friday night, Ataman confirmed that both coaches solved the problem.

"Sarunas called me, and we talked about it," Ataman said after the win against Zalgiris. "He told me there's nothing against me. He knows that I never did such a thing in my career. I don't like to analyze teams. For me, [the most important thing] is my team."

"It's ridiculous to think about these [spying] things. He had some questions about my assistant. I explained to him that if my assistants do anything, they tell me. So, why would the assistant make something?

I think he was very nervous in that situation. We are very good friends with Saras. All of us are in the EuroLeague coaches association. We talked with each other, and our president Dimitris Itoudis was involved. I think we are clear. It happens.

Coaches have plenty of adrenaline. This EuroLeague is very tough and different from the NBA or domestic leagues. Every game is like a final. I forgot about it. Saras is a very good friend of mine. I love Saras," Ataman concluded a detailed comment on the situation.

Efes won against Barcelona 96-86, and Jasikevicius lost his temper straight after the final buzzer.

According to BasketNews sources, the Lithuanian specialist accused the Turkish team of filming their practice sessions. "Good f****** camera," Jasikevicius allegedly told one of the Efes coaching staff members.

"If Saras calls me, I will say 'Saras, prove it," Ataman reacted to such accusations at the time. "If you can prove this, I will resign today as the head coach of this team. But if you don't prove it, if you really can't prove it, then either you apologize for your behavior towards my assistant coaches, or you resign for making such an address or resign from the Euroleague coaches association'."

Other assistant coaches separated Jasikevicius and Mijatovic. Even Anadolu Efes general manager Alper Yilmaz got involved as he calmed down Jasikevicius, who went to the tunnel smiling straight after.

"Whatever we argued about is between us," Jasikevicius said on the incident after the game. "We have to say some things sometimes when we believe in them, and we move on. What I said to him, everybody understands our business. But the best things are left in coaches' community," Jasikevicius said in the press conference."

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