By highlighting Central Nan as a MVP in Euroleague’s regular season, the… themes on the Panathinaikos Media Day -and his Ergkin Ataman– For tomorrow’s Game 1 with Anadolu Efes for the event’s playoffs, it was natural to be “influenced”.
Ergkin Ataman commented on the MVP Award of Central Nan, stressing that the Panathinaikos leader was worth winning. He emphasized, however, that what counts in the end is to conquer the trophy.
“Nan deserved it, he was the best player in the regular season. Clearly there were other players who had a fantastic season, such as shorts, Vezenkov and Haze-Davis. I want to congratulate them because they had a great performance.
I didn’t vote for my players, people voted for him. I believe it was worth it and that the team would go to the Final-Four and then lead it to the title. It is very nice to be the best defender, the best player, in the best team, but the most important in the end is the trophy ” Ergkin Ataman reported.
Called to comment on the first clash with his former team, Anadolu Efes, which comes from 8 consecutive wins, Ataman argued: “They have a high ceiling. The season did not start well for them, but after the return of the injured players and they were rhythm.
Qualified to the playoffs. Both teams will show their power in the parquet. Tomorrow (22/4) will become the first match and I believe how we will be ready to win. “
The experienced coach was asked about whether he still feels “binding” with Anadolu Efes to answer: “My respect for the club is huge. This is one of the most honorable in Europe. Many players are mine, together we wrote history in European basketball. But now, we are walking on different roads and I will do whatever it takes on the parquet for my team to go, Panathinaikos.”
Also a question about whether he thinks that this year are the most competitive playoffs in Euroleague in recent years, he said: “No. I think all the Euroleague playoff series are competitive.
I say that ours is competitive, just like the rest. All eight teams are worth four, as we ended in the third place in the regular season, deserve the advantage of a home.
I think there will be good games, perhaps hard in all series, and I wish all their teams and technical honors good luck and everyone has health. “
Finally, he made it clear that John Papapetrou is not yet ready: “Papapetrou is not ready yet and therefore in the two games that follow he will not play. I do not know what will happen next week in Istanbul.”