Ergin Ataman talks about Clyburn and Micic: 'We can't play like this' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman didn't like that Will Clyburn and Vasilije Micic collectively took 36 shots.

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Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2-2) handed ALBA Berlin (3-1) their first loss of the 2022-23 EuroLeague season tonight, defeating them 78-74 (22-23, 19-14, 17-23, 20-14). Talking after the game, Efes head coach Ergin Ataman emphasized the pressure the team faced to win against the previously-undefeated German team.

"We might be a very good team with star players but we have pressure now because it's not easy. The last two lost games in Monaco in overtime and two days ago against Valencia put pressure on the team, and that's I believe the reason why didn't play well offensively tonight"," the coach told.

Later in the post-game press conference, the Turkish specialist drew attention to the number of shots his two star players - Will Clyburn and Vasilije Micic - took during the game.

"We used only two players on offense. Will Clyburn took 19 shots with 5 [made] baskets, Micic shot 17 shots with only 6 [made] baskets," he told. "We didn't find any pick-and-roll points, we didn't find any low post points. It was a big problem."

"It's a big problem against a team like ALBA, a team that is very good in the open court," Ataman continued. "They find baskets after every missed shot, and that was the reason why we won the game [in a] very difficult [way]."

Even before the press conference, Ataman was dissatisfied with this exact aspect of the offense.

"We can't play like this, we have to share the ball. This is not Anadolu Efes basketball," the coach told just after the game.

Full game highlights:

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