Ataman responds to Prigioni: 'An NBA assistant got involved in our affairs' / News - Basketnews.com

The Ergin Ataman-Luca Vildoza saga in Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens continues to evolve as the Turkish tactician responded to Pablo Prigioni, who criticized Ataman for his remarks on Luca Vildoza.

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What has unraveled between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach Ergin Ataman and his player Luca Vildoza continues to go in a different direction after the involvement of Pablo Prigioni, Vildoza's head coach in the Argentinian national team.

3-pointers this season

38%8,8Points made:8,8Accuracy:37,8%Place in standings:12Record max:15Record min:2Most made 3FGs:Marius GrigonisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

In remarks to SPORT24, the Turkish specialist had a strong response to Prigioni and his criticisms.

"In the teams, some things happen between me, my players, and the club. For me, it is something normal," Ataman explained. "There is no problem. We do our job for our world and for our people. Someone has to take responsibility for everyone, not just the manager, not just the club," he stated about his remarks on Vildoza.

"What I found strange was that I found out today that a guy who used to be a player and now coaches as an assistant coach in the NBA started getting involved in our own situations," he criticized Prigioni.

"The NBA is a serious organization [and] for this, and I will not answer [Prigoni's criticisms]. The NBA should act for their coach so that he does not get involved in the internal affairs of other clubs in Europe," he continued.

Ataman is critical of the fact that Prigioni, who is serving overseas in the NBA, got involved in what he perceives to be an internal matter for Panathinaikos.

"For the first time in my life, I see someone from the NBA dealing with what is happening in the other clubs... I know what I'm doing, and our only goal is to qualify for the playoffs through second place, go to the Final Four, and fight for the title," he noted.

"That's our goal, not reacting to what former players who I just found out are coaching NBA teams are saying," Ataman concluded with a stinging remark.

The Turkish head coach's statements are the latest in the saga which began after he criticized Vildoza for disappointing performances throughout the year.

In response to Ataman's criticism of Vildoza, on April 9, Prigioni wrote in his X (formerly Twitter) account: "He should have more respect for his players and help them to play better instead of blame them on the media!"

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