Ergin Ataman admits playing a character: 'I don't have an ego off the court' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman admitted that he is completely different on and off the court. Although he had a dream of coaching in the NBA, the coach says that it's too late to take all the steps that the league's organizations want him to.

Credit: Milliyet newspaper Credit Milliyet newspaper

Out of all EuroLeague head coaches, Anadolu Efes Istanbul's Ergin Ataman probably has the biggest, or at least the flashiest, personality of all. Sometimes criticized for the lack of tactical prowess, Ataman has nevertheless delivered throughout recent seasons, bringing in two EuroLeague trophies for the club.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul / Schedule

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Anadolu Efes Istanbul51-80 Virtus Segafredo Bologna Anadolu Efes Istanbul80-85 Anadolu Efes Istanbul Olympiacos PiraeusThu17:30

Recently, the Turkish specialist sat down on the Spanish broadcaster DAZN show 'The Coaching Experience' with former coach Piti Hurtado to talk about his coaching methods and his success.

"Everyone knows that I'm nice and I don't have an ego off the court. You have to have this ego on the court because you work with star players who all have big egos. That ego is to control the players' egos," Ataman explained his flamboyance. "When the players feel that you really have a strong mental character, they believe in you more. That's very important. It's not all in basketball. It's not all on the court. It's in the mind, and that's why you have to show it."

After starting the season 2-and-5, the team won the last three games against FC Barcelona, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, and Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

"We didn't start well, we want to get into the playoffs," Ataman talked about the beginning of the season. "We miss [Shane] Larkin, and that's why I don't want to talk about winning three in a row. Everybody talks about it and it's not good. When we have everyone, they should be scared. Our successes come from Larkin and [Vasilje] Micic being together."

After winning the second EuroLeague title in a row, there were some talks about Ataman potentially moving on to coach in the NBA. After some negotiations, the talks gradually faded and the coach returned to Turkey for one more year.

Now, the coach admits that he doesn't see the NBA in his future anytime soon.

"It has been a wish for me for the last two years. I think I have done everything in Turkey, and in Europe. I am the first Turkish sports professional to do these things in Europe - winning the FIBA Cup, the Saporta Cup, the Eurocup, winning the EuroLeague twice. I have the confidence to lead an NBA team," Ataman said.

After talking to people in the NBA this summer, I see that they think differently. They tell me: 'Well, you have to come here and spend a few years as an assistant coach and then we'll see what we do.' It is unrealistic for a head coach who has won two EuroLeagues to become an assistant coach and wait. If I was 40, I would, but now I'm 56. For me now, it is not realistic to talk about the NBA. But I'm always open."

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