Ataman clarifies heated argument with Bartzokas: 'We are good friends' / News - Basketnews.com
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach Ergin Ataman and Olympiacos Piraeus head coach Georgios Bartokzas got into a heated exchange in the latest derby game, which Ataman stated was misrepresented in the media.
Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis StolisErgin Ataman and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens beat Georgios Bartzokas's Olympiacos Piraeus in the championship round of the Greek Basket League with a score of 77-71.
3-pointers this season
38%9,0Points made:9,0Accuracy:38,1%Place in standings:12Record max:15Record min:2Most made 3FGs:Marius GrigonisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsScheduleAs is usual in derby games, the environment was a tense one, as both Ataman and Bartzokas heavily protested the referees at different points of the game and then got into a confrontation with each other at the end of regulation.
Speaking to a Turkish news channel, Ataman clarified the tense exchange he had with Bartzokas, stating that it was blown out of proportion and that the two tacticians are good friends in reality.
"We won all 3 games against Olympiacos. We are leading [the Greek Basket League] with only one loss. In the press, it looked like we had an argument with Bartzokas, but it was a different situation," Ataman explained. "Actually, we didn't have an argument."
"He made intense objections to the referees during the match. There was a mutual taunting. At the end of the match, I shook Bartzokas' hand. I didn't want to escalate the situation," the Turkish coach recalled. "I didn't want to offend the Olympiacos fans."
According to Ataman, Bartzokas then went on to verbally attack PAO's manager, though he did not clarify whether he meant the club's GM, Sani Becirovic, or club manager, Stavros Ntinos. The Turkish specialist also reminisced about an amusing retort he had received from Bartzokas.
"I saw Bartzokas verbally attacking the manager of our team. We had a heated conversation, and I told him that what he had done was wrong. He said to me: 'Don't you experience the same things in Fenerbahce's arena?'" Ataman said. "I told him that I don't get into arguments on away games and that I try to be careful."
"Bartzokas and I are good friends, we have no problems. We sit together here too and chat," the Turkish coach concluded about the episode he had with his Greek colleague.
Relatedly, Ataman also stated that he receives a lot of respect from Greek fans and believes that his stint in PAO helps to develop friendly ties between Turks and Greeks.
"This, of course, gives me pride. I think it also contributes to the Turkish-Greek brotherhood. I am respected greatly from the Olympiacos front. There has not been the slightest adverse situation," he said.
After finishing second-from-last the season before, Ataman helped Panathinaikos to a great season and concluded the regular season race at the 2nd place. They will meet Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the playoffs.
Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.Link to this article:https://www.brazilv.com/post/3005.html