Panathinaikos celebrated a dramatic win against Baskonia, thanks to a stunning last-second shot by Kendrick Nunn. The victory was especially sweet as it broke an eight-year losing streak for the team in Vitoria. Despite the exciting finish, the team’s head coach, Ergin Ataman, was surprisingly critical of their overall play.
😠 Coach Ataman’s Disappointment
Despite securing the win, Coach Ataman expressed his unhappiness in a post-game press conference. He described the team’s performance, aside from Kendrick Nunn’s efforts, as “terrible.” Ataman warned that relying on just one player is a “very dangerous situation” and not the way for a top team to play if they want to achieve their long-term goals.
⚠️ A “Weak Mentality”
Ataman pointed to a “weak mentality” as the root of the problem. He felt that his players were avoiding responsibility on the court. Instead of taking charge, they kept passing the ball to Nunn. The coach highlighted missed layups, poor shooting, and giving up offensive rebounds as clear signs that the team wasn’t mentally strong enough during the final quarter.
🗣️ A Call for Shared Responsibility
The coach made it clear he expects more from his entire roster. While he praised Nunn for an “amazing game” and noted that Osman and Hernangomez also played reasonably well, he stressed that everyone else needed to contribute more. He concluded that the team cannot play this way in the future and must find a solution to ensure every player takes responsibility.
