NBA: World Champions? Prove it! Euro coach issues challenge to Celtics

Panathinaikos coach says Boston cannot claim to be best on planet unless they beat the GreeksPanathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman has issued a challenge to the Boston Celtics – asking the NBA Champions to face the Euroleague winners.Ataman guided the Greens to their seventh Euroleague title and also their 40th Greek Basket League crown in his first season at the helm.The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 at the TD Bank Garden to seal a 4-1 win in the NBA Finals and claim a record 18th championship.As always, the American side proclaimed themselves as World Champions, something which Turkish coach Ataman took exception to.He told local tv station Rafine TV: “After they became the NBA champions they tweeted ‘World Champion Boston.’ They see themselves very highly. They want incredible numbers to come and play a game in Europe.“(They) are not the world champion. If you want to win the title of world champion, come and beat us, the Euroleague champion. If you are so confident, come and beat us in OAKA.”If they took up the invitation Joe Mazzulla’s side would encounter the 18,300 capacity Olympic Indoor Hall, built for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, known for its fervent atmosphere which can be intimidating for visiting sides.Alex has more than 15 years’ experience in sports journalism and has reported on multiple Olympics, World Cups and European Championships in additional to Champions League, Europa League and domestic football.