Ataman Questions Celtics' World Champion Status

Ergin Ataman, head coach of EuroLeague champions Panathinaikos, publicly challenged the Boston Celtics, stating they are not 'world champions' but merely 'NBA champions', urging them to face off for the title. His comments, made during the 'Off the RECourt' podcast, sparked debate over the legitimacy of the NBA's claim to global supremacy in basketball, especially since the EuroLeague features top-tier European teams. Despite Ataman's provocative stance, Celtics star Jayson Tatum dismissed the idea of such a matchup happening, highlighting the competitive nature of the NBA. Ataman's remarks echo a broader discussion initiated by sprinter Noah Lyles, questioning the appropriateness of the 'world champion' title for NBA winners. While Ataman argues for a direct confrontation to settle the debate, NBA fans largely maintain that the NBA represents the pinnacle of basketball talent worldwide. This controversy has reignited discussions about the historical lack of competitive matches between NBA and EuroLeague teams since the McDonald's Open was disbanded 25 years ago.