Ataman: “Maybe we’ll find someone to replace Larkin for 2-3 months, become the first team with three EuroLeagues in a row”

Ergin Ataman made himself available to journalists a few days before the start of the EuroLeague and spoke about the gap left by Shane Larkin’s injury in the squad and the course of the Turkish national team in the EuroBasket.

At the same time, as usual, he did not hide his ambition for the new competitive season and wished that Anatolou Efes would be the first team to win the cup for the third time in a row.

Statements by Ergin Ataman at the press conference in detail:

For Shane Larkin: “We estimate that Shane Larkin will be available around November. If we can find a player who can replace him for a period of around 2-3 months, we might consider signing someone.”

For the past season and the comparison with this year: “Compared to last season, we don’t have satisfactory options on our bench in the Turkish league. There has been a change. We used the Turkish players quite a lot in the domestic competitions last season. This year, who is good and that EuroLeague goal has going to play.

We want to be the first team to win the EuroLeague three times in a row.”

For Fenerbahce and the Supercup final in Turkey: “Fenerbahce have a younger team than us. Our performance in the Supercup final is not good enough for the EuroLeague. We have to get better.”

For the Turkish national team: “Despite Larkin’s injury, the most important thing is that we showed character against a side like France, who reached the final of the tournament. Cedi Osman’s misses in the latter part of the game were something that can happen to anyone. The same thing happened.” and to Italy’s top players. Unfortunately in sport there are individual and team mistakes and we all make mistakes together and maybe those mistakes will cost us a medal. All the players and especially Osman worked hard for Turkey’s success. So we have no right to throw or blame any of our players.”