Ergin Ataman and the Theatre of Control
The mental limit is almost invariably misunderstood. Ergin Ataman is a walking demonstration of this. Considering all he has won and lost, it’s remarkable how significant one single series might be. His Panathinaikos side takes on Valencia in the Euroleague playoffs with the Turkish head coach as the centrepiece of the affair.
I’ve got a friend called Kevin who I routinely have to remind that the most irrational thing he does is assuming rationality on the part of others. While accurate, by and large, it condenses the wider issue. We view the human experience through our own eyes above all else. We rationalise based on how we understand logical and illogical behaviour.
Ergin Ataman is a walking example of how foolish we are to limit our viewpoint. His explosive reactions, be they to insults from the stands or questions about his performance, get interpreted as the signs of someone near breaking point. Likewise his seemingly outlandish statements can be viewed as him grasping for excuses. That’s because, for most of us, that’s how we’ve conditioned ourselves to view such behaviour.
These actions from the Panathinaikos head coach are more likely to show him consciously present in his work than falling apart. It’s for the same reason that those that make the final big table at the World Series of Poker are often regulars. Every behaviour, even if emotionally driven, is based on a series of reliable actions that have brought him success before.
Against Valencia, in the Euroleague playoffs, we find out just how much that formula still works. His boss has gone to extremes in all directions with statements about him through their three seasons together. Ataman’s team has seemed on a similar path through this campaign. Can he bring it all together against an opponent that offers cold consistency as a counter?
The road has been ridiculous
Considering the budget, this has been an awful season for Panathinaikos. With what the Greens spend, anything less than home court in the Euroleague playoffs should come as a shock. That they had to go through the play-in feels ignominious.
Yet there’s more. Greek league defeats to Iraklis and Kolossos Rodou. Yet another year where their Euroleague losing streak to Olympiacos continued. A full season without more than two consecutive wins in the competition irrespective of the opponent.
Yet, as his side gets ready to face Valencia, Ergin Ataman can still win the treble. The one win they have over Olympiacos this season secured the Greek Cup. PAO will be favoured to make the Greek finals. The table is set for all the troubles of the season to be swept aside if they can take care of business against Valencia.
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The importance of self-deception
Ergin Ataman’s approach to coaching is, at least outwardly, one prone to tilt. The style can be perceived as one of a gambler that invites risk and needs it at the maximum in order to feel alive. Yet there is another way of looking at it.
It’s entirely possible that the Panathinaikos head coach’s approach is far more built around risk mitigation. If that is not the case then it’s certainly possible that he believes that he is mitigating. When you’ve won as much as Ataman with the road he’s taken to do so, you’ve earned the right to believe in your own rationale.
Even with the perceived mind games around this battle with Valencia in the Euroleague playoffs, there are elements at play. I have no doubt that Ergin Ataman believes he was just saying nice things about Pedro Martinez. Yet Martinez and Valencia are still wary because of the psychological game. Whether or not the compliments are sincere, Ataman’s reputation for mind games was enough to garner a reaction.
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So now it’s all about basketball
Take an emotionally expressive coach in Ergin Ataman. Add an emotionally expressive owner in Dimitrios Giannakopoulos. Throw in a fanbase that expects total domination and mix it all up with an odd season.
You get the current situation with Panathinaikos. Ataman’s job is either dependent on beating Valencia in the Euroleague playoffs or is safe irrespective of the result. Many people are confident of how to gauge the mood but even the wisest of them should feel doubt.
That Pedro Martinez has got a team that is so normal by comparison only adds to the illustration. Chaos demands a fight with convention even though the latter just wants to go about its business. Chaos needs to define the mood and tempo. Ataman is the chaos and he needs Valencia to be consumed by it.
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