While Ergin Ataman isn’t a name known to most NBA fans, his accomplishments in Europe have him a legend there. And with Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo calling him the best coach in the world, there’s good reason for everyone to know more about him.
Ataman started his coaching career as an assistant for Turk Telekom in 1996 then become a full-fledged head coach for Pınar Karşıyaka in 1999. From there, the Turkish national coached several teams until he landed with Anadolu Efes in 2017.
It wasn’t until the 2020-21 season when Ataman successfully guided Anadolu Efes to the EuroLeague Finals and won his first title against Barcelona there. In doing so, he became the first coach of Turksih descent to win the prestigious title. He would later replicate the feat the following year when the defeated Real Madrid during the 2021-22 season.
After his stint coaching Anadolu Efes, Ataman signed up with Greek basketball team Panathinaikos in 2023 for a two-year contract. Just recently, he guided the team to a EuroLeague finals appearance against Real Madrid and beat them with a score of 95-80.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Says Ergin Ataman is the Best Coach in the World
Ataman’s victory captured the attention of the Greek Freak as the one-time NBA champion was present watching the game. In a video shared by Vasiliki Karamouza on X, the Milwaukee Bucks’ All-Star forward can be seen speaking to Ataman.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Ergin Ataman: “You are the No1 coach, the best”. pic.twitter.com/R5ig57visj
— Vasiliki Karamouza (@karamouza_vas) May 26, 2024
During the post-game conference, Ataman said Antetokounmpo came up to him and told him he’s the best coach in the world. The three-time EuroLeague champion added that he feels very proud the NBA star said those words to him.
Ataman became Panathinaikos’ head coach before the current campaign began and led them to the promised land, despite finishing in 17th place last season. He attributed their success to the number of games they played as a team, which resulted in a bond to form between them all.
“When you play more games, the team starts to understand how to play together. This is an advantage,” he said. “In the EuroLeague, we played everything, all 41 games. Of course, even if you are a new team, every day you improve.
Everybody asks me, ‘How can you make this new team win the title?’ The first month it’s new, the second it’s new, but after that, if you work well with your stuff, you can start to understand each other, and you can play together,” Attaman said.
Thanks to Panathinaikos’ big EuroLeague win Ataman’s legacy as a head coach has been solidified. Add Bucks star’s shining endorsement of his performance and there’s nothing more he could ever ask for.
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