Ergin Ataman publicly criticizes Richaun Holmes after AEK game

Following the Panathinaikos victory against AEK at OAKA, head coach Ergin Ataman publicly criticized center Richaun Holmes, stating that the player was asleep on the court and lacked sufficient energy during the first half. The team had trailed by 17 points early in the game before recovering to win. Ataman noted that with the upcoming return of Mathias Lessort, he must decide which foreign player will be excluded from the roster due to league restrictions, implying Holmes is the primary candidate. This criticism sparked a reaction from Holmes’s wife on social media, where she described the public shaming of players as shameful rather than family-like; she later deleted and clarified her posts. Ataman previously pledged 40 days ago to cease public attacks on players, but his recent comments have created friction within the team. Additionally, reports suggest that young player Alexandros Samontourov may be loaned out this summer to gain more playing time, as he has struggled to find a role in the current rotation. Meanwhile, Kenneth Faried has been praised for his performance, further pressuring Holmes's position in the squad.