Darrun Hilliard clarifies relationship with Kattash, sides with Ataman's methods / News - Basketnews.com

Darrun Hilliard explains the reasons that derailed his 2022-23 season with Maccabi and clears up the air on his relationship with Oded Kattash. The shooting guard weighs in on the EuroLeague playoff series and voices his support to Ergin Ataman for calling out referees and some of his players.

Credit: Nikola Krstic/MB Media/Getty Images Credit Nikola Krstic/MB Media/Getty Images

Darrun Hilliardis a guy who likes to pick coaches' brains. Not because he intends to become a coach himself once he's done playing. In fact, there's too much stress and traveling involved in that part of the business that would make a family man crazy.

Darrun Hilliard

Team:Pinar KarsiyakaPosition:SGAge:30Height:198 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

It's Hilliard's love for the game and for hearing stories that arouse his appetite and keep him busy even when he's not on the court. And what better scenario than having a former top player break down plays and recount stories from their heyday?

"If I was playing for Saras, I'd try to hear his stories from his playing days because I'm sure he got some great ones," Hilliard tellsBasketNewsfrom Izmir, Turkey.

"I did the same with Oded Kattash. He's more of a talker than people think. He's stoic on the sidelines, but he's a funny guy, too," he adds.

Hilliard's observations on his former coach atMaccabi Playtika Tel Avivare interesting. But so is the background of their relationship that didn't bear fruit for either side.

On May 4, 2023, before the American swingman had his best game with Maccabi in Game 4 of the EuroLeague playoff series against AS Monaco (104-69 for the home side), he wasspotted wearing an authentic signed Oded Kattash No. 10 jerseyon his way into the arena.

"I thought it was fly, and it's the last EuroLeague game [at home]. I just wanted to pay my respects to both coach and all of Maccabi," Hilliard explained later.

"Those who know me know that gestures like that embarrass me a little, but I took it with the warmth and love that was intended. Darrrun has his way to show love and I loved it. It made me smile," Kattash reacted when asked about it after the game.

Hilliard averaged 5.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 32 EuroLeague games for the Israeli side. Coming in as an established EuroLeague shooting guard, he found himself averaging less than 13 minutes per game in last year's EuroLeague action. That's when frustration set in.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv / Schedule

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv87-91 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv95-79 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensTue17:00 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensThu18:45

After a challenging season in which he had limited opportunities to showcase his skills, Darrun Hilliard bid farewell to Maccabi in acandid interview with Arel Ginsber of Israel Hayom.

"It was the most difficult and worst situation for me, which affected me and my family," Hilliard briefly summarised the last season before delving into details.

"I was frustrated mainly because I knew I could improve the team, and I didn't get a chance," he underlined.

"I was definitely fine with playing a certain role and not being the go-to guy, but the main problem was that I didn't even have a role. It was as if I was completely cut off from the flow of the team and the rotation.

During the season, Hilliard faced suspension by Maccabi after a controversial tweet following a loss in the Israeli League. The tweet, "Real eyes recognize real lies," was interpreted by Oded Kattash as directed towards him.

"At that time, I felt that no one at the club wanted me,"he confided last September.

"I did not deserve to receive this suspension and treatment from the club. I do not know what was going through the coach's mind when he did it. I know 100% that it was purely personal," he pointed out.

Several months have gone by since Hilliard and Maccabi parted ways, and the 31-year-old sniper has come to terms with the fact that he and his ex-coach never really saw eye to eye.

"I don't think our relationship

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