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Panathinaikos forward Cedi Osman is expected to recover in time for the team’s EuroLeague opener, coach Ergin Ataman said after Saturday’s win over Australia’s Adelaide 36ers in the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.
Osman has been sidelined since EuroBasket with an injury and is undergoing treatment in Athens.
“I believe he will be ready for the EuroLeague opener,” Ataman said. “Hopefully, he can join team practices two or three days before the start of the season.”
Ataman admitted his squad had little time to prepare, as eight players were competing at EuroBasket.
“This season is strange for us because eight players were with their national teams,” he said. “We couldn’t do any preparation. But 90% of the team is the same as last year, and the new players are smart. The system is simple. I believe we will be ready for the EuroLeague opener.”
The coach said the team will have about a week of training upon returning to Athens, though he voiced concern about possible jet lag.
Ataman also compared European basketball with the NBA, emphasizing EuroLeague’s growing stature. “EuroBasket this year was very high level. EuroLeague is growing,” he said. “NBA is more about the show, but EuroLeague combines show and competition. Even early in the season, EuroLeague games feel like playoffs.”
He added that EuroLeague games are drawing larger crowds while NBA attendance appears to be falling. “Europeans love games that feel like finals,” Ataman said. “Now EuroLeague also has many stars. In my opinion, NBA has lost some popularity in Europe.”
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