The Celtics are the NBA Champions after cruising through the playoffs and dispatching the Dallas Mavericks in the finals in five games.
But World Champs?
Not so fast says one coach.
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Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman, whose perennial Greek power club won the Euroleague Championship, said winning in NBA doesn’t guarantee planetary dominance.
“After the Boston Celtics became the NBA champions, they tweeted, ‘World Champion Boston.’ The EuroLeague also tweeted, ‘Beat this team first,’ with our photo. They see themselves very highly,” Ataman told Rafine TV. They want incredible numbers to come and play a game in Europe. You are not the world champion. If you want to get the world champion title, come and beat us, the EuroLeague champion. If you are so confident, I say come and beat us in OAKA.”
Panathinaikos roster actually features short-time Celtic Juancho Hernangomez, and fellow former NBA players Jerian Grant, Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Antetokounmpo. They came back from down 2-0 to beat Olympiacos, 3-2 in the best of five to win the Greek League and then beat Real Madrid in the Euro Finals. Real Madrid’s roster included Guershon Yabusele and Rudy Fernandez.
