Ataman: “We have to forget Baskonia and only deal with Valencia, 50%-50% for Slukas to play”

Ergin Ataman emphasized that against Valencia on Friday, Panathinaikos will face a confident and aggressive team at home, he emphasized that in order for the “greens” to beat “Fodeta” they must play consistently throughout the 40′ and hit free kicks shot, he asked that they constantly play defense, that the chances for Slukas to play are 50%-50% and he believes that both teams are of quality.

Analytically: “In the EuroLeague, in the double week, whether you win or lose, you have to forget it immediately. And be ready for the second match. This is basketball, last week we won in the last second, now we lost. Now, it is important to be ready for the match against Valencia, it will be a difficult match. We had won in OAKA with a good point difference, but these teams, especially at home, play with more confidence, with aggression.”

What Panathinaikos should do against Valencia: “Against Baskonia we played a perfect match for three periods. And then we made some choices in attack, without turning the ball over. We scored a lot of three-pointers in Baskonia’s transition. Some of them were shots…miracles. Moneke is a good player, but I haven’t seen him make those shots many times.

We have to be ready to play 40 minutes. Sometimes, in periods, we play great basketball. Also, we missed a lot of free shots, especially Grigonis, on shots that he usually makes, he had 0/5 shots. Personal performance and shooting will be important. If you spin the ball correctly, then you find the right shot.”

If he feels pressure that the match against Valencia was the fifth this season to lose at the end: “It can happen. We lost some matches, at home we beat Zalgiris in this way, in Monaco it was the same. This is basketball. Sometimes he tried to “close” the matches with our attack, this is one of our mistakes. We play well for 38′ and then we change. That shouldn’t happen, we have to keep playing defense. We’ll figure it out.

In Baskonia, in the last minute we missed everything, Baskonia gave everything. It was a very strange situation, but it can happen. We will analyze it in the future, we don’t have time now. Our team showed character, that it can play away from home against any team. It gives us optimism for our big goals.”

For Slukas: “We’ll see tomorrow morning after the MRI. The doctors will tell us tomorrow. It’s 50%-50%.”

On the absences both teams have: “Both teams have quality players and will be competitive on the floor. It doesn’t matter if some players are missing. Eight, nine players are enough.”