By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The occasion was the pre-game availability before the upcoming game against Crvena Zvezda.
However, with Panathinaikos being third in the final Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings in the worst-case scenario, defending champion Ergin Ataman explained his position towards the expansion of the competition in light of the possible rivalry with a new league in Europe created by the NBA.
“There can be 20, 22, 24 teams, and we can play more double-action weeks”, Ataman explained. “Why do we only play seven, eight, or nine double-action weeks? We can play 12 or 13 double-action weeks like in the NBA, where they play five games per week. And there you see that every year, the salary cap increases. They pay this kind of money because they do just five training sessions per week. With more games, people will have more fun, the television revenue will be more. I think we have to be ready for this. It doesn’t scare me. We can play three games every week, two in the EuroLeague and one in the Greek league. I think this is very important for the future of the EuroLeague. If they want it to be like the NBA, they have to follow it. They play five games per week there. Why do they do it? Because the money is there, and when you play games, you make money. There is no money in practices”.
This was the follow-up to the question about whether Partizan and Crvena Zvezda should be in the EuroLeague next year.
Ataman said: “I believe that next season all the teams that participated this year should be in the EuroLeague. They all deserve to play in the EuroLeague because it is a great season. One of the best seasons in the EuroLeague with great competition. Of course, there will be some other teams that can enter. I see that people are afraid of most teams in the Euroleague”.
Speaking about Panathinaikos, Ataman confirmed the contract extension of Cedi Osman and added that due to his back injury, Marius Grigonis is not expected to return during the playoffs.
As for Mathias Lessort, Ataman still can’t provide a timetable for his return: “He works every day. Of course, I will see his condition next week. I don’t know if he will be able to play in the Playoffs as well, but we will see. I am not thinking about the injured players right now. Omer Yurceven is back and played a good game against Monaco, and we have Wenyen Gabriel. We can use Mitoglou at the center position. When Matias Lessort is 100% ready, he will be integrated into the team.”