Ataman aiming high with Panathinaikos: 'The OAKA arena will be on fire this year' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman promised "to change everything" at Panathinaikos, and explained how he's happy to be coaching Kostas Sloukas. He also named the only negative element of PAO's preseason and the player who impressed him in prep games.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Panathinaikos Athens have undergone a rebuilding process to go along with their ambitious project. The roster's potential bears little, if any, resemblance to the team that had been unable to stay in EuroLeague playoff contention for the past three seasons.

The Greens' new coach, Ergin Ataman, sent a clear message on the team's Media Day, expressing his faith that he can lead the six-time continental champs to the Final-4 after 12 years.

In addition, the two-time EuroLeague winner with Anadolu Efes referred to the summer acquisitions of the Greens and especially Kostas Sloukas, while he also talked about the style of play he wants to see from his team on the court.

Ataman has always said what he believes and he didn't shy away from putting the bar high ahead of the season that's about to start.

"We have big goals and expectations," he told reporters.

"We want to give joy to our fans, as in recent years we didn't have great success. But this year we created a very good team and certainly our goals are very high and we want to give confidence to our fans. The team I coach always has high goals, so I will try to do my best," he initially stated.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

The Turkish tactician further pointed out that he is satisfied with how the team's preparation went.

"Yes, I am satisfied. The only negative is [Luca] Vildoza's injury which has had a negative effect on Kostas Sloukas, who is tired from consecutive games," he stressed. "But I hope Luca will compete in the Super Cup. We want to present ourselves with an aggressive character as a team, especially on defense," he continued.

Panathinaikos will travel to Rhodes this Thursday to play for the first title of the season. The Greens will face PAOK on Friday and are slated to square off with Olympiacos Piraeus in the final game on Saturday, if the Reds beat Peristeri in the other semi-final.

For Ataman, the challenge of leading Panathinaikos back to the EuroLeague Final Four after doing the same at Efes, was one of the factors that brought him to Greece.

"I have the experience to lead the team to the Final Four," he said.

"It's important that Panathinaikos has finished in a low position over the past years, but we will change everything. I chose the players and I think they are very good. I am sure that the OAKA will be on fire this year and for all teams, it will be very difficult to win here," he warned.

Ataman pointed out that he wants and expects Panathinaikos to play as Anadolu Efes have done for the last five years.

"We will try to play aggressive defense and we will support a high tempo on the floor, with a lot of fast breaks. Of course, we will need to adjust our game according to the opponent. I also want to give freedom to my players, but they must stick to the plan on offense, play smart, and run in transition. That will be one of our keys this season."

Having prepared his plans for Kostas Sloukas several times, Ataman said he is now happy to be able to coach the Greek guard.

"All these years, we've been talking about how to stop his pick n'roll. Now we're talking about how to use him as best we can on offense," he joked. "He is an experienced player, the point guard of our team. He's a wonderful person and very serious in his job."

Asked about the player who has stood out in Panathinaikos' prep games, Ataman singled out Kyle Guy for his performances against Bayern and Efes in the recent Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament.

"He had a very good tournament and he has left me completely satisfied. The truth is that he is playing for the first time at the EuroLeague level, but he gave us a lot of things in the tournament," he commented.

"[Olek] Balcerowski has also shown good things. He's at a young age and he wants to prove things, while [Jerian] Grant is very good, who can cope at this level on both defense and offense."

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