Ergin Ataman cites reasons why Efes seem to miss the EuroLeague playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Even though Anadolu Efes are still in playoff contention, Ergin Ataman repeated that his side are essentially depending on other teams' results, and explained why the reigning champs came to this position.

Credit: IMAGO/kolbert-press - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/kolbert-press - Scanpix

The easy win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna (86-67) allowedAnadolu Efes Istanbul to keep their playoff chances alive.

It was the 16th win for the back-to-back champs this season, and maybe that's why Ergin Ataman appeared in good spirits in his post-game quotes.

“We found the correct way to play basketball, but it might be too late," the Turkish coach admitted in the flash interview, before jokingly pointing out that his team racked up four wins in as many games against Italian teams.

"Maybe, if we played in the Italian League, we would win the championship," Ataman laughed.

"But we play in the EuroLeague. We lost too many games. We lost 3-4 games in overtime. None of my coaches-friends now wants to play against us in the playoffs. But we have very little chance. This is life," he stoically remarked.

"We'll see what happens in the next two weeks. At the beginning of the season, we experienced pressure from the club, the fans, and the media to win a third title in a row. Bad luck did not allow us to. We lost many games at the last second and in overtime. These matches put pressure on us, especially in the second half of the season."

Ataman added that Shane Larkin did not play in the first part of the season, while Vasilije Micic was injured for 6 weeks.

"That put pressure on us," he repeated. "Things are no longer in our hands. Maybe that's why my players were relieved and we played basketball the right way. But it's ok, this season is like this. We'll see what happens over the next two weeks”.

In the presser,Ergin Ataman said repeated that Efes have given up on their playoff hopes.

"We lost our chances," he admitted.

"It's not in our hands. It is a big disappointment for a team that has won the EuroLeague title for two years in a row and has left its mark on European basketball for the last four years.

We have to wait for the other matches. We never lose motivation, but of course, it's a fact that we're greatly disenchanted," Ataman continued.

"We have a very strong roster, but we have never been able to use all of it," he lamented.

"A win is a win, but it would be different if we could show this basketball in other games. If we had done so, now we'd be in the Top 4," he concluded.

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