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DAfter winning his second consecutive EuroLeague with Anadolu Efes, Ergin Ataman could cross the Atlantic to serve as an assistant coach on an NBA bench. That is what Adrian Wojnarowski, a prestigious ESPN journalist, says, explaining that the Turkish coach, also the coach of his country, is one of the candidates to occupy that position in a team.
Should the 56-year-old Ataman accept the NBA job, Anadolu Efes would have to begin a rebuilding process starting with finding a new tenant for their bench and probably trying to deal with the possible departures of their stars Shane. Larkin, who has been offered a juicy renewal, and Vasilije Micic, who is also aiming for the NBA despite having one more year on his contract.
The Turkish coach has long been leaving pills related to the NBA. A few months ago he ensured that his Efes would play the playoffs in the American League and he has all sold himself to find a job. The last time, in the recent Final Four in Belgrade, when he learned of the presence of the legendary Gregg Popovich, Spurs coach, in the stands.
“That Gregg Popovich is here to watch the games is a great pleasure for me. He is a basketball legend. After reaching the final for the third time in a row, maybe he will think about bringing a European coach to the NBA,” Ataman joked afterward. to win the semi-final against Olympiacos.
If Ataman ends up going to the NBA, he would follow in the footsteps of other great European coaches who worked as assistants in the United States: Ettore Messina, Sergio Scariolo, Fotis Katsikaris…
