By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Here’s what Ergin Ataman said in an interview for CNN TURK:
On the Turkish Basketball Federation and Aziz Yildirim:
“Basketball federation is under heavy influence of Fenerbahçe. They asked me to leave Galatasaray because of Aziz Yıldırım (Fenerbahce president). That’s why I did not accept the four-year offer they made.
I am resentful to Hidayet Türkoğlu. Actually I am resentful to Ömer Onan and Türkoğlu. Because they shook hands with me for NT job and did not even give me a call in the next two months. They told me I was the best fit for the job, even worked with me when I chose my staff.”
Not renewing with Galatasaray:
“I was left alone by the management in Galatasaray Odeabank. The team was deeply affected by the talk of decrease in budget.
Everybody was there when we won the EuroCup. When things went badly, nobody was there. I wished the president attended games like Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş or Anadolu Efes presidents did. This really means something in Turkey.”
Sinan Guler’s transfer to Fenerbahce:
“I wish Sinan Güler didn’t have to go to Fenerbahçe Doğuş.”
Fikret Orman’s (Besiktas president) comments regarding EuroLeague rules:
“I agree with what Fikret Orman says partly: I think Turkish League finalist Beşiktaş should be in EuroLeague as Turkey is the biggest financial supporter of EuroLeague.”
Future plans: