Israeli millionaire Ofer Yannay posted a tweet targeting Ergin Ataman after Valencia’s qualification over Panathinaikos (3-2). Panathinaikos had initially led the series 2-0.
“It’s disrespectful and scandalous,” Yannay wrote, referencing a video where Ataman stated his team played like they were down a man with TJ Shorts. “By the way, Coach Ataman, it seems your players feel like they don’t have a coach.”
Known for his fiery temper, the Turkish coach, enraged, responded sharply to this verbal provocation:
“This is your first year in the Euroleague, you have no right to speak to me like that. I heard you’re going to spend 75 million to build the team. But even if you spent 100 million, you wouldn’t win anything. You will never be at my level. You won’t even win one Euroleague title; I’ve won three in five years. Be quiet and only talk about your own team. Never in my career have I made critical remarks about the coach, players, or president of an opposing team. I don’t know you, I don’t even know your name, because this is your first experience at this level, in the Euroleague. I’ve been here for 25 years. You know my name very well because I’ve been in the Euroleague for 25 years, with three titles and five Final Fours to my name. I don’t know you. You might be a nice person, but you are disrespecting another club and another coach. Focus on your own coach, your players, and your team instead.”
