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Ergin Ataman, widely regarded as Türkiye's most divisive basketball figure, finds himself embroiled in yet another controversy as tensions reach a boiling point between the celebrated coach and his former club Anadolu Efes.
With the decisive Game 5 of their Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoff series looming on Wednesday, the personal drama has overshadowed what should be simply a high-stakes basketball contest with a Final Four berth on the line.
The latest chapter in this increasingly bitter saga unfolded during Game 4 in Istanbul, where Efes secured an 85-82 victory to level the series at 2-2. In the game's closing moments, Efes supporters launched into provocative chants of "take a timeout" directed at their former championship-winning coach. The taunts struck a nerve with Ataman, who responded by gesturing toward the championship banners he helped bring to the club during his tenure.
Reports from the arena describe how Ataman, visibly angered by the hostile reception, didn't even wait for the final buzzer before storming off to the locker room. This dramatic exit came after he pointed emphatically at the EuroLeague championship flags hanging from the rafters – championships he delivered during his successful stint with the Turkish powerhouse.
The irony of the situation isn't lost on basketball observers: the very fans who once celebrated Ataman's tactical genius during back-to-back EuroLeague championships have now turned against him following his departure to Greek basketball giant Panathinaikos, a move that many Turkish basketball supporters viewed as a betrayal.
Adding another layer to the drama is Panathinaikos player Cedi Osman, himself a former Efes player, who came to his coach's defense following the hostile reception in Istanbul. In pointed comments after the game, Osman drew a clear distinction between the treatment he received and what he considered unacceptable behavior toward Ataman.
"They booed me, I don't care about that, but what they did to a coach who won two EuroLeague championships with this team was really disrespectful," Osman stated firmly. "They can boo me, but what they did to Coach Ataman was shameful."
Osman's comments highlight the complex dynamics at play in this series, where national loyalties, club allegiances, and personal relationships have created a combustible atmosphere. The fact that both Ataman and Osman – two prominent Turkish basketball figures – now represent a Greek team against a Turkish club adds significant cultural and political dimensions to what was already a high-stakes sporting contest.
As the decisive Game 5 approaches, Ataman has turned his attention to Panathinaikos supporters, issuing what appears to be a thinly veiled comparison between Greek and Turkish fan behavior. The coach called for passionate but respectful support from the Athens crowd, perhaps implying that his new supporters should demonstrate greater respect than what he experienced in Istanbul.
"Tomorrow we don't need our fans to put on a 'show' in the stands. We need them to fight alongside us until the final moment," Ataman emphasized in his pre-game comments. "We need them to give our players extra energy and motivation."
In what seemed to be a direct reference to the treatment he received at the hands of Efes fans, Ataman added: "I believe our fans understand basketball much better. Our fans know better how to be respectful."
The coach was explicit in his desire for Panathinaikos supporters to avoid directing abuse at his former club: "We have great respect for the Efes club, so they should just support our team. We want them to fight with us on every possession."
Despite his attempts to downplay the personal aspects of the rivalry, Ataman's comments reveal the underlying tension that exists between the coach and his former employers: "We can't blame the Efes club for what happened. I know the Efes club is very upset about what happened. That's life, sometimes these things happen."
While the personal rivalries and controversies have dominated headlines, both teams remain focused on the ultimate prize – a coveted spot in the EuroLeague Final Four tournament in Abu Dhabi. Ataman acknowledged the basketball challenge that awaits, separate from the off-court drama.
"It will be a very difficult game. Every game we've played against Efes in this series has been close," the veteran coach noted. "Of course, Efes has a very experienced roster and they're ready to compete."
Ataman outlined his tactical approach for the decisive contest: "We need to stay calm while playing aggressively on both offense and defense. We'll try to win by playing our style of basketball. We need to focus on each possession. We should focus not on winning the game, but on playing each possession as best as possible. That's how we can win."
The coach also highlighted the significance of home-court advantage for the decisive game, telling reporters: "I told the players that playing the fifth game at home is much better than playing away. So we have a home-court advantage, and we'll see what happens tomorrow."
As one of the most successful yet polarizing figures in Turkish basketball history, Ataman now finds himself in the uncomfortable position of being vilified by the very supporters who once celebrated his achievements. His confrontation with Anadolu Efes has transformed an already compelling playoff series into a dramatic spectacle where personal rivalries, national pride, and basketball excellence collide on the court.
The series is perfectly poised at 2-2, with tickets for the decisive Game 5 in Athens selling out rapidly – a testament to the immense interest this clash of basketball titans has generated. As Ataman himself noted: "Our fans buying all the tickets in a short time isn't such a big deal. They've done that all season, always being there to support us."
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