By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Back-to-back champion Anadolu Efes limited from glimpsing to a better position in the standings does not prevent tracking the high-flying sides commanding the Regular Season. Head coach Ergin Ataman highlighted Olympiacos among the teams at peak performance level through the 2022-23 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Ataman, 57, talked to Greek pay television outlet Cosmote TV about the Reds, and also denied an official approach by the Greek powerhouse presenting him with an offer to secure his services a few years back.
“I have the utmost respect for the owners of Olympiacos,” he mentioned rejecting the suggested rumor, “I never had an official offer from Olympiacos. I would have considered an offer, for sure.”
Carrying a 13-12 record, the Istanbul outfit barely fits in EuroLeague’s projected Playoffs zone. Salvaging a berth in the next round of Europe’s premier club competition and from there attempting the leap to the Final Four emerge as the current theme for Ataman’s side. On a different route, Olympiacos with a 19-8 tally leads EuroLeague and is likely to eventually secure homecourt advantage in the Playoffs.
“Olympiacos now has one of the best coaches in Europe, Giorgos Bartzokas,” Ataman continued on the Reds and praised his colleague, “He is exceptional with the team playing the best basketball in EuroLeague this season. And I hope they stay together for many years.”
“Later, you never know,” he cryptically added, “Maybe one day he moves to another team, he takes over Efes and I go to Olympiacos. Who knows?”