Ataman: You can’t solve everything with the dribble, and step-back shots from 8 meters

Anadolu Efes coach Ergin Ataman talks after the defeat against Olimpia Milano:

“We started with a different strategy, with three bigs, because Milan is in a very good shape. They are playing very well and we tried to distort their system. And we were successful in the beginning. We created open shots on pick and roll from Vasilije Micic to Chris Singleton, but we missed, and the last 3-4 minutes of the half, we had to turn back to our usual lineup with three guards, and we had a problem in defense and let them finish the first half leading by 6 points. In the second half, we fought to stay in the game, we came back. I think we had a good game defensively, but offensively, especially our three guards, Micic, Shane Larkin and Rodrigue Beaubois, on 14 three-point attempts they only made 2 baskets. I told them in the locker room, in the last quarter, our offensive system especially where Micic is trying to shoot the ball from eight meters on a step-back shot is unacceptable. It is undisciplined basketball. I talked to him in the locker room. This is not correct basketball to resolve everything with the dribble, and step-back shots from eight meters. It is doing big damage to our team right now. I also criticized Singleton, he played 27 minutes and did not have any rebounds. They are our problems we need to resolve. I did see progress on defense. I saw hustle, we did not give up. But for us, for our system, it is important we miss Kruno Simon, especially like today when our three guards played bad on offense. We miss Simon too much, who is our key player on offense to find, score, create many things in our pick and roll offense. Like Shields did for Milan.”