Ergin Ataman talks about Efes's season, praises Tomislav Mijatovic / News - Basketnews.com

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens coach Ergin Ataman praised new Anadolu Efes head coach Tomislav Mijatovic and gave an assessment of his former team's season.

Credit: D.Lukšta Credit D.Lukšta

Ergin Ataman won many successes with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, most notably going back-to-back in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons in the EuroLeague.

Points this season

47%84,6Points made:84,6Accuracy:47,4%Place in standings:3Record max:126Record min:57Best scorer:Shane LarkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Alongside Ataman's journey, he could rely on the help of a strong cadre of assistant coaches, which included Galatasaray EKMAS Istanbul head coach Yakup Sekizkok, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens assistant coach Cenk Yildirim, and the newly-appointed head coach of Efes, Tomislav Mijatovic.

After a decisive victory against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 26 of the EuroLeague, Ataman gave an interview to S Sport where he assessed his former team's inconsistent season.

"I left Efes with unbelievable memories. We had a great 5 years with my family, with the Anadolu Efes fans, with the management, with Mr. Tuncay [Ozilhan], with his family, with all my colleagues..." Ataman began by reminiscing about his good times with Efes. "Our last year was not good for various reasons; that's part of sports. In sports, you don't always win the EuroLeague championship," he said with a laugh.

"But I departed [from the club] in a good mood. I want to say that this is professionalism; everyone has a mission, and when the time comes, you have to leave," explained the Turkish coach his departure from Efes. "Maybe in the future, you come back, or you come to that club in a different role," he also left an open door to the possibility of returning.

Then, Ataman shared his views on Anadolu Efes's performance this season, starting with a slight hint of disapproval of Erdem Can's initial tenure with the team, which ended with him being sacked after the Round 24 blowout loss against Zalgiris Kaunas.

"I don't want to talk too much about the beginning of the season," Ataman started with a slight hint of disapproval about Erdem Can. "I want to talk about now because at the head of the team is my second assistant coach, Tomislav Mijatovic, who I like a lot and who the Anadolu Efes community likes a lot," Ataman continued by praising his former assistant.

"Tomislav is a little bit shy. I wanted to bring him here [to Panathinaikos], but his thought was always 'This is my home' [editor's note: this is Anadolu Efes's motto]. Tomislav is now a foundational piece of Efes," the Panathinaikos coach continued to praise Mijatovic. "You can go to Tomislav and ask him to coach Efes' junior team or to make all the [analysis] videos."

After many successful years together, Ergin Ataman stated that he and Mijatovic are still in touch.

"We are in constant contact with Tomislav. He is a friend with a heart of gold who everybody loves. I wish him success once again from here, and I hope that maybe European basketball will get a great coach in a way that he is not expecting," Ataman sent his best wishes to the Croatian head coach.

"Especially in last night's game [Round 26 game against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which Efes won by 105-91], he managed a great game," the Panathinaikos coach said. "I sent him a message right after the game. A coach couldn't have managed a game better than that."

The former Efes head coach and two-time EuroLeague champion also observed that the players seemed more content under Mijatovic and concluded by wishing his former team well, even though he recognized that it was difficult for Efes to turn the season around.

"His players are also very enthusiastic, so from that point of view, I hope that Efes can turn around this season, which started out badly. But they are at a disadvantage because of their weak start at the beginning," Ataman concluded.

In 5 years with Anadolu Efes, his most recent stint with the club, Ergin Ataman won the EuroLeague twice consecutively and was the runner-up once. In all years, Mijatovic was present in the team as an assistant coach.

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