Ergin Ataman: 'Maybe Gregg Popovich will help me to go to the NBA now' / News - Basketnews.com

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Ergin Ataman continues dreaming, leading Anadolu Efes to the third consecutive EuroLeague final.

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This time he made it to the title game in front of the NBA legend Gregg Popovich, beating Olympiacos Piraeus 77-74.

The reigning champions' coach used this chance to make a joke about his NBA career opportunities.

"For me, it's a great pleasure that he's here and watching the games. He's a legend of our basketball history," Ataman started.

"Maybe after three consecutive final appearances, he thinks that let's take one European coach to the NBA and help me go to the NBA," Ataman laughed.

"He's a good friend of mine. He helped me a lot four years ago when I went to San Antonio. I stayed ten days with him. He's an amazing person," Ataman concluded.

A 56-year-old coach also spoke about this remarkable Anadolu Efes era since Ataman took over the head coach position during the 2017-18 season when the Turkish club finished dead last.

"It's a really great performance for this team. I took this team in the 2017-18 season in the last position. And for the last four seasons, we were on the same level," Ataman said.

"I talk to my players in the locker room that it was a big achievement for us to make the final again. But we came here to win the cup one more time. We're close. We're only one game away from winning back-to-back, and we'll try to make everything to win this title."

Would this title put Anadolu Efes among the best EuroLeague teams of all time?

"We will make this Saturday night with second back-to-back. Especially considering the canceled season, you can write it. You're the journalist," Ataman answered with a smile. "For me, this team is one of the best teams in Europe."

Player of the Game EFF 21 Shane Larkin Points 21 Accuracy 6-18 Rebounds 0 Assists 7

Vasilije Micic kept this Ataman's prediction of winning another title alive.

The MVP of the 2020-21 season and 2021 Final Four destroyed Olympiacos at the buzzer, breaking the hearts of their fans' army.

Ataman explained what was planned for the last possession.

"We wanted to attack Vezenkov on the switch. We chose Micic because Larkin got out of the rhythm after the injury. He didn't find the rhythm to attack," Ataman explained.

"But to be honest, I didn't talk to Micic to take this shot. I told him to read the situation and maybe attack because they were in the bonus. But he decided to shoot," he continued. "We missed 5-6 easier shots in the last 5-6 possessions, but he made the buzzer. This is basketball. We lost in Athens with that kind of buzzer to Sloukas in the regular season in the overtime. But tonight, we won."

Ataman started the press conference by showing respect to Olympiacos, who forced the game to a decisive shot.

"It's good to be on the winning side after the buzzer shot. I'm sorry for my friend Bartzokas. It was really great game. Congratulations to the Olympiacos club for creating a great atmosphere here in the Final Four," Ataman said.

"It was the first time I saw more than 15,000 fans coming to a different country for a Final Four. It was an incredible atmosphere," Anadolu Efes' coach revealed.

"Bartzokas defensive strategy worked very well because they put pressure on Micic and Larkin. We didn't find a way to attack. But after that, especially after Elijah Bryant came in, we found scoring," Ataman spoke about the first half.

"We attacked Dorsey and Sloukas with Elijah. In the meantime, Larkin played his game, especially in the transition offense. We tried to improve the tempo, and we successfully returned to the game," Ataman added.

"I think we controlled the game in the second half. We led by 10 points, but Larkin got injured. He got a cramp and stayed out for 3-4 minutes. He came back, but he wasn't in the same rhythm," Ataman discussed the second half.

"Micic got tired. We waisted many easy possessions in the last 5-6 possessions offensively. Olympiacos found a way to come back, but Micic's buzzer advanced us to the third consecutive final. We'll do everything to win the title again."

After advancing to the Final Four, Ataman mentioned that Barcelona should be afraid of Anadolu Efes.

The experienced coach laughed when asked why Barcelona should be afraid of them and if he expects the Sarunas Jasikevicius team to return to the title game.

"I was very upset because I didn't finish both Barcelona games this season. In both games, I was ejected. It will be a different motivation if I find Barcelona in the final to finish the game with the cup," Ataman smiled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1YFPRZCVEo

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