Vildosa: “I didn’t have a good relationship with Ataman – At Panathinaikos they pushed me to leave”

THE Luka Vildosa last summer he was the first transfer of Panathinaikos in his attempt to bring players from the “top shelf” in order to return to the top. Although the latter happened, with the “greens” crowned champions of Greece and Europe, the Argentine guard failed to reach high standards of performance, while never earning his trust Ergin Ataman.

Last summer, Vildosa made the decision to move from Panathinaikos to Olympiakos, with the aim of finding a role again and returning to the high standards he has shown in the past that he can reach.

In a revealing interview with Eurohoops, the former Baskonia, Milwaukee Bucks, Red Star player spoke about his relationship with Atamanthe difficulties he faced at Panathinaikos, but also the reasons he decided to continue his career at Olympic.

What Vildoza said in detail

On his move to Olympiakos: “It wasn’t really that difficult (to go from Panathinaikos AKTOR to Olympiakos) because I knew that my time at Panathinaikos AKTOR was over. I gave everything, I gave my best. My time there was not successful for me personally. As a team, we achieved something very important, we won the Euroleague.

The group pushed me towards the exit. So, I chose to come to Olympiakos, knowing that they have the potential to challenge for the Euroleague title every year. I feel very good here. Giorgos Bartzokas welcomed me with open arms. He was very warm with me when he spoke to me and with how he treated me..”

On how he is experiencing the first time with his new team: “Everything here is wonderful. But of course, it’s just the beginning. When you start playing, it might become more difficult. I feel that if we stay like this, we can achieve great things. I believe that after you feel for the first time the taste of… conquering the Euroleague, you want to do it again. I feel that Olympiacos was the perfect choice for me to return there.”

On why he didn’t “catch” at Panathinaikos AKTOR: “The way we played at Panathinaikos AKTOR didn’t suit my style. That’s not an excuse for how I played. I can’t say I didn’t give it my all, but I know I didn’t play well. However, I consider myself a good boy. I never said anything in the locker room. I think the people of Panathinaikos AKTOR know how it went.

It wasn’t a perfect fit for me. Either with the coaches or with the coach’s philosophy. So, it doesn’t matter how I will be received at OAKA. I was treated very respectfully last year. I appreciate that and I hope they can continue to do that.”

About his relationship with Ergin Ataman: “I think there are different types of coaches. Dusko had more structured ideas about how he wanted to play. With Ataman it was different because he relied more on pick and roll, a lot of “reads” of the phases and individual quality. And now I need to adapt my game to Barzoka’s style. Last year I didn’t have such a good relationship with Ataman, it’s something I think everyone knows.”