By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens coach Ergin Ataman was frustrated over some of the officiating aspects of the loss of his team to Barcelona on the road.
He was particularly infuriated with how the referees handled Barcelona’s physical defense and the several offensive fouls that they called on his players.
“We play the game of basketball. This isn’t the game of American football,” Ataman said in the post-game flash interview. “They called 8-9 offensive fouls in the second half. This is the first time I have seen something like this. We tried to play basketball and we are a very good basketball team. But if we play rugby or American football in this EuroLeague with this referee of course on the road it’ll be very difficult to win any games.”
Panathinaikos closed halftime up 38 – 30 but Barcelona dominated the third period 29 – 12 to come back and gain the advantage. The Blaugrana retained their lead until the final buzzer.
“I already congratulated my players for winning the basketball game in the first half. In the second half, we weren’t ready to play American football,” Ataman later mentioned in the post-game press conference.
When asked to elaborate, Ataman once again addressed the offensive fouls of his players. “New record tonight. Seven offensive fouls to us. You can check it. New record. Every time you write about records of players, records of 3-pointers or points, about Nigel Hayes-Davis or Sasha Vezenkov. Tonight maybe you can write about the record of the referees. Seven offensive fouls called on us.”
Ataman also tipped his hat off to Barca forward Jabari Parker who produced 25 points on 10-14 shots. “Congratulations to Parker. Respect to him. He really played an excellent game and was the difference on offense.”
Near the end of the game, Barcelona guard Kevin Punter and Panathinaikos guard Kendrick Nunn had a spat on the floor. Asked about whether Punter was too physical on Nunn, Ataman mentioned that the EuroLeague needs to protect its star players.
“I think that if we won’t protect the star players in the EuroLeague, they will soon leave the EuroLeague,” Ataman said. “They will go back to the NBA to play their basketball. And we’ll continue in the EuroLeague to play like college game or American football..”