Ataman hoped to someday receive the respect he thinks he deserves. The coach said he'd write a book to tell everything from his tenure at Efes because he couldn't say what he thought because of his position.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Anadolu Efes Istanbul edged out a win in Game 2 of the Turkish League (BSL) final against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. After the game, head coach Ergin Ataman addressed his future.

3-pointers this season

39%
10,1
Points made: 10,1
Accuracy: 38,9%
Place in standings: 4
Record max: 17
Record min: 4
Most made 3FGs: Vasilije Micic

Fenerbahce were down by seven (79-86) with less than a minute to go but managed to mount an improbable comeback to go up by one with just six seconds remaining after Nigel Hayes-Davis stole the ball and ended the fast break with a dunk (90-89).

Nevertheless, Clyburn took the game into his hands and hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to tie the series 1-1 (92-90).

After complimenting Clyburn on his shot, Ataman confirmed that he would be leaving Efes after the season.

"I have a lot to talk about but I can't speak right now due to my position. If I quit being a basketball coach one day, I will openly explain my recent experiences in a book," he said. "I want to leave Anadolu Efes as a champion."

"If they let me, I want to finish as champion. Other than that, as I said, I will explain my experiences in my book after I quit coaching," Ataman told during the post-game press conference.

With Ataman heading to Panathinaikos Athens, the Turkish club will hire another coach to lead the team in the future. Ataman didn't want to hide the obvious truth.

"I will leave Anadolu Efes. Obviously, everyone knows that the team has signed [a deal] with another coach. There is nothing to hide here," Ataman said.

"There may be differences in sports life but I think there should be more respect for what I've done for this club," he continued. "In the end, if God helps me and I leave Efes as a champion, I will be happy. I hope history will grant me this respect. I'm so full right now. I am very full from what I have experienced especially in the last 2 days. I can't talk anymore."

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