{"id":423863,"date":"2025-01-16T12:39:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T11:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=423863"},"modified":"2025-01-16T12:39:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T11:39:01","slug":"barcelona-beats-panathinaikos-in-euroleague-but-ataman-blasts-referees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/barcelona-beats-panathinaikos-in-euroleague-but-ataman-blasts-referees\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona beats Panathinaikos in EuroLeague, but Ataman blasts referees"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the flash interview, Ataman expressed his frustration with the refereeing:
\n“We play basketball. This is not an American football game. They called 8 or 9 offensive fouls in the second half; it\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve ever seen anything like this. We tried to play basketball; we are a very good basketball team, but if you\u2019re playing rugby or American football in EuroLeague with these referees away from home, it\u2019s going to be very hard to win any game. Thank you.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Later, in the post-game press conference, the Turkish coach went further, emphasizing the impact of the officiating:
\n*”In the locker room, I congratulated my players because they won the basketball game that was played in the first half. In the second half, we were not ready to play American football. That\u2019s my comment on the game.<\/p>\n

In all the games where basketball was played, we have shown that we are contenders for the Final Four and the title.<\/p>\n

I think tonight we have a new record. Not from the players, but from the referees. Seven offensive fouls against us. A new record. Players aren\u2019t the only ones who set records. You can check it if you want. Seven offensive fouls against us. Then you\u2019ll understand what I mean. Every time, you write about players\u2019 records, three-pointers, or points\u2014about Nigel Hayes-Davis or Sasha Vezenkov. Tonight, you can write about the referees\u2019 record. Seven offensive fouls against us.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, I want to congratulate Jabari Parker, who played excellently. I have to give him credit. He made the difference in terms of scoring.”*<\/p>\n

Officiating and the importance of protecting EuroLeague stars<\/h3>\n

With 45 seconds left in the game, an altercation between Kendrick Nunn and Kevin Punter further ignited tensions. Both players received a foul after coming face to face following a collision. Commenting on the incident, Ataman issued a warning:
\n“If we don\u2019t protect the stars of the EuroLeague, then they will leave and return to the NBA. They\u2019ll go play there. And we in the EuroLeague will keep playing as if it\u2019s American football or a college tournament.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Ataman takes to social media to back his claims<\/h3>\n

The day after the game, Ataman continued his criticism on social media. The Turkish coach posted a photo on Instagram showing Kendrick Nunn being hit in the head by Barcelona\u2019s Youssoupha Fall while holding the ball. His caption read:
\n“I never make statements without reason!!!”<\/em><\/p>\n

A rare off night for Kendrick Nunn<\/h3>\n

On an individual level, Kendrick Nunn had an uncharacteristically quiet performance. The Panathinaikos star finished with just 7 points (2\/8 from two, 1\/7 from three), marking his first single-digit game in EuroLeague after 25 consecutive matches. The last time Nunn scored under 10 points was 267 days ago during the 2023\/24 playoffs against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Even during last season\u2019s Final Four, where Panathinaikos won the title, Nunn consistently delivered double-digit scoring performances.<\/p>\n

\n

‘We\u2019re supposed to play basketball, not American football.’<\/p>\n

Ataman delivers a fiery post-game rant! \ud83d\udd25 He blasts, calling out the referees. \ud83c\udfc0\ud83d\udca5 pic.twitter.com\/L5EYXxWRB2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SKWEEK (@skweektv) January 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n