By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Clearing up the situation between himself and Sarunas Jasikevicius, Anadolu Efes head coach Ergin Ataman put an end to the conflict emerging earlier in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
Ataman, 56, revealed the reactions to the initial accusations, including the call he was expecting. After the away win against Zalgiris, he discussed the talks with both Jasikevicius and EuroLeague Head Coach Board president Dimitris Itoudis in the postgame press conference following the Regular Season Round 12 fixture.
“Sarunas, he called me. We talked about it. And he told me there is nothing against me,” he described the conversation with the FC Barcelona play-caller, “He knows that through my career… I don’t like to analyze the opponents. For me, my team is important. I analyze only my own team. It’s ridiculous to consider these things.”
Back in Round 8 of the EuroLeague Regular Season, the Barca head coach accused Efes of filming the last practice before the game. “He had some questions about an assistant. I explained that if an assistant made something, he would bring it to me. So, why would any assistant make something,” Ataman wondered how accurate the accusations could have been.
“I think he was so nervous in that situation. We are very good friends with Saras. We are both on the EuroLeague Head Coach Board. We also talked with our president [Dimitris] Itoudis about the situation. He called me and also Saras,” he added also confirming EHCB president Itoudis’ intentions to talk with both members of the organization.
“I think we are clear,” stressed Ataman, “These things happen. EuroLeague is very tough. It’s different from the NBA, different from the local leagues. Every game is a final.”
“I have already forgotten about all this,” he concluded, “He is a very good friend. I love Saras.”
Efes, the reigning back-to-back EuroLeague champions, are currently on a five-game winning streak, starting by taking down the Catalonia giant midway through November. From 2-5 to 7-5 was a huge leap and also promising looking into the next challenges.