Ergin Ataman, the head coach of Panathinaikos, spoke praise of the latest addition after Kendrick Nunn secured victory against AEK.
Nunn scored five consecutive points in the closing moments of the game, securing a new win for his team in the domestic championship. First, he made a three-pointer to reduce the deficit to 85:84, and then he hit two free throws for the victory. The guests had the last possession, but Chasson Randle missed the three-point attempt. Kendrick Nunn, with 18 points, was the top scorer for Panathinaikos.
“We are the only EuroLeague club that has yet to be defeated in domestic championships across Europe. After the double round in the EuroLeague, the game was somewhat challenging. In the first half, we had control of the match and led by 11 points. Then we relaxed, thinking the game was over, and allowed AEK to come back.
In the last quarter, when we were already tired, Kendrick Nunn showed his quality. We know how good he is. He’s a fantastic player, but he didn’t go through the preseason. It’s not easy to integrate such a dominant player into the system. Every day he understands more about what is expected of him and in which aspect of the game he can contribute.
In the Greek league, it’s easier to give someone a chance because in the EuroLeague, two bad possessions can lead to a defeat. That’s why we need to be cautious. He’s a big name, but also a character. He doesn’t accept defeats, and that’s crucial,” explained Ergin Ataman.