Ataman's bold statements, mind games and his documentary on Netflix / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Whether someone might like it or not, Ergin Ataman knows how to turn the spotlight on himself. He's such a character that even Netflix is interested in him. No joke, Ataman has accepted an offer for a Netflix documentary about his self-fulfilling prophecies, which will be released in the near future, according to SDNA reporter's Bugra Balaban information.

3-pointers this season

37%9,8Points made:9,8Accuracy:36,6%Place in standings:2Record max:22Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Shane LarkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Confidence and assurance are words that characterize the Turkish coach. Even at times when his team seemed to be underperforming, he set high goals and spoke with certainty about their fulfillment.

So when Anadolu Efes coach told his players in the locker room that they had two games left to become back-to-back European champions, it came as no surprise to anyone in Turkey. That's because he has made many bold predictions in the past since his early days as a head coach.

Coach Ataman took over the reins of Siena in 2001. It was uncharted territory for a Turkish coach, taking over a team in one of the top European leagues. He was in his first season on the bench when he said in one of his first press conferences at Siena that his team would win the Saporta Cup, then the second biggest European competition. Italian journalists laughed with him that day. But a few months later, his own smile was even bigger, reaching the first European Cup in Siena's history.

Years passed, but Coach Ataman continued to make promises. The four titles with Besiktas in 2012 was one of his finest moments. Then, once the Euroleague rejected Galatasaray's request at the start of the 2015-2016 season, he said his famous quote about taking Galatasaray into EuroLeague: "OK, now we have to get the Eurocup so we can get direct access to next year's Euroleague". And that's how he got Galatasaray's first European title.

When he took over Anadolu Efes for the third time in his career he was not silent as well. Despite the fact that his team had finished last in the Euroleague last season, he set high goals for 2018-2019 season. This time, Ataman chose something even more direct for his motivational reasons - Twitter. Before the home game against Panathinaikos on November 16, 2016, he tweeted on his profile, which is now inactive: "We will win!" And this went viral in Turkey.

Coach Ataman is distracting his opponents with these bold predictions. Remember how nervously Saras celebrated Barcelona's victory at the Palau? It's a clear that he wanted to beat Ataman more than any other opponent. Ataman twice challenged Barcelona before the playoffs, saying that they will go and win the title.

"If we go to the Final Four, Barcelona will not beat us. They have no chance. In Istanbul we beat them in extra time. In Barcelona I was sent off“, coach commented. „No, I won't get suspended again. We will go and win the title,“ stated Ataman.

Last month he took over the Turkish national team and in his first statements he said: "Our only goal in the upcoming EuroBasket is to win it." Today, it is strongly doubtful that this will happen. But with Ataman at the helm, at least you'll enjoy the ride.

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