Mike James responds to Ergin Ataman questioning a call: 'At least, try to be discreet' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Imago/Scanpix Credit Imago/Scanpix

On Friday night, AS Monaco achieved something that in theory seemed extremely difficult. Not only did they beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul at home, but they also managed to cover the 21-point deficit of their defeat to the reigning EuroLeague champs in the first round.The perpetrator of the upset was Mike James, who knocked down 3/3 free throws with seven seconds remaining on the game clock.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Mike James Points 27 Accuracy 7-12 Rebounds 5 Assists 6

The American guard took advantage of the foul made by Elijah Bryant in an attempt for a three-point shot. This particular call caused Ergin Ataman's annoyance, as the Turkish coach felt that the foul on Monaco's guard took place low and, in any case, not while James was in a shooting motion.

"We lost the game, we also lost the goal average with an incredible foul that was called in a three-point attempt in the last seven seconds," Ataman said in the post-game presser.

"I don't know if it was really a foul on the three-point shot right now or if it was a classic Mike James move. I'm going to watch this again," he added.

"It was important for us to maintain the goal average."

Asked by a fan on Twitter about Ataman's statement, James said that the call was correct, adding that one of the reasons why he decided to go for a shot was that he knew he was going to get fouled.

"First, it’s a classic me move but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t three shots," James wrote.

"Second, when you're screaming "foul" when I’m isolating, of course, I'm going to do that. At least, try to be discreet," he concluded pointing the finger at Ataman.

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