Ergin Ataman and Omer Yurtseven represented Panathinaikos AKTOR ahead of their away game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, scheduled for Friday evening, January 17, at the Fernando Buesa Arena.
The head coach of the "Greens" initially stated:
"I don't expect any specific reaction; this is a different game, a different venue, and a different opponent, coached by someone with great experience. Baskonia may not rank high in the standings, but at home, they are a different and much stronger team. It will be a unique game, and our team will play its style of basketball. I hope we find a good rhythm, and we will do our best to win."
When asked if he expects Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz to employ aggressive defense like FC Barcelona, he said:
"Every team plays aggressive defense; this is a reality in the EuroLeague. I hope tomorrow things will be different because not every game can be like the second half in Barcelona."
On how difficult it is for the team to move past the events in Barcelona, Ataman commented:
"I never dwell on the past; I always focus on what comes next. Sure, winning would have been significant. However, we are still ahead of many teams. We share the same record as three other teams. The key is to continue securing victories throughout the season to achieve a strong playoff position.
It's vital not to dwell on the loss in Barcelona. We've lost other games this season. Yesterday's game was peculiar in the second half. My reaction was solely about that. Basketball is a game with two outcomes—winning or losing. We lost yesterday, and tomorrow we will try to win."
Regarding Pablo Laso's comments, Ataman stated:
"Laso is very experienced, far more experienced than others who comment on my statements. I expect respect from fellow coaches. Everyone can have their opinions, but I never speak about other coaches or their remarks. I will never comment on what Laso says. That is his opinion, and I respect it. He is one of the most experienced in the league and also a good friend."
On opponents' strategy to trap Kendrick Nunn, he said:
"It was the first time he faced so many double and triple teams. Sometimes, even great players have off days. Kendrick missed some open shots and became frustrated with certain situations, which were evident to everyone. We've seen some of those moments on social media today.
It's natural for players like him to lose their rhythm under such pressure. He didn’t feel comfortable on the court. Referees need to protect basketball, particularly offensive basketball. The EuroLeague is one of the best competitions, almost on par with the NBA. However, if games are allowed to unfold like the second half yesterday, such players won’t showcase their skills, and fans will miss out on the spectacle."
When asked about the keys to facing Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and comparisons to their match against Olympiacos, he noted:
"The game against Olympiacos was different. Baskonia controlled the game despite missing key players like Marcus Howard and Tadas Sedekerskis. I’m unsure if they will play tomorrow. It was a different team back then, but they performed well."
From his side, Omer Yurtseven remarked:
"Against FC Barcelona, I don’t think we handled the opponent properly. We allowed Parker to make a difference. We could have done better, especially defensively. There were moments we could have limited them. Personally, I feel I should have been more effective. Nevertheless, it was a good game."
On Luka Samanic, he added:
"He is an excellent player. He can shoot from long range, play with strength, and adapt easily. It’s a challenge for us to defend him, but also an opportunity to improve our defense."
Reflecting on the team's second-half performance yesterday, he noted:
"I think when we came out for the second half, Barcelona showed a strong reaction. We had an eight-point lead, and they started with an 11-0 run. This is something we need to pay attention to. When playing at an opponent’s home court, they will be more aggressive in the second half, especially if trailing. It was a valuable lesson for us, and we will respond just as we did after the loss to Anadolu Efes Istanbul."
Finally, he concluded:
"When I start as part of the lineup, I always think about how I can contribute the most to the team. This is a significant opportunity for me, and I have worked hard to get here. I will continue to make the most of every opportunity."
