By Eurohoops team/ [email protected]
Ergin Ataman on EuroBasket and Panathinaikos
Ergin Ataman is currently leading the Turkish national team in EuroBasket, kicking off the tournament with an impressive victory over Latvia. In a recent interview with the Australian sports outlet “Basketball,” Ataman discussed the upcoming Panathinaikos trip to Australia for the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament, emphasizing that the divide between NBA and EuroLeague teams is minimal.
NBA and EuroLeague Comparison
“I tell people that if you removed a star player from these NBA teams, many EuroLeague teams would win,” stated Ataman, who is currently working with Houston Rockets player Alperen Sengun on the national team. He elaborated, “A few years ago, during preseason, EuroLeague teams won approximately 70 to 80% of their games against NBA teams. The distinction between NBA and EuroLeague teams is not significant. While the NBA boasts remarkable players like LeBron, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, if one of them were to sit out, I believe many EuroLeague teams could prevail.”
World Championship Debate
Ataman reiterated his view that NBA champions shouldn’t claim the title of World Champions: “I often express concern over NBA teams declaring themselves world champions immediately after winning their title. I suggested that if they truly want to be considered world champions, they need to defeat the EuroLeague champions first. It should ideally involve defeating the Australian champions as well. EuroLeague basketball is a high-level competition, and the path to being a world champion goes through us.”
On the NBA and EuroLeague Mentality
Ataman noted that the primary difference lies in their approach to the game: “NBA basketball tends to emphasize entertainment, while EuroLeague combines competition with flair. Each game feels like a final. Many around the globe, including in the USA, are recognizing the quality of EuroLeague basketball.”
Challenges of the Australian Trip
Despite the challenges presented by the long journey, Ataman considers his team a serious contender for the EuroLeague title. “Our match in Australia will be significant as our first real preseason game. The EuroBasket commitments mean several key players, including myself and one assistant, will head to Australia to compete. This season presents unique hurdles, as we won’t have any European preseason games.”
Intensity of EuroBasket
Reflecting on EuroBasket, Ataman remarked, “I believe EuroBasket offers a more competitive environment than the World Cup. There are at least seven or eight teams vying for the gold medal, incorporating a mix of both EuroLeague and NBA star players. This creates an intense level of play that combines the best of both worlds.”
