Marius Grigonis, who returned to Zalgiris this summer after four years spent with Panathinaikos, addressed fans and the public in Athens to clarify recent statements that stirred up significant controversy among supporters of the “Greens.”
After speaking openly in a recent interview about complicated relationships and difficult moments during his tenure in Athens, the backlash from supporters prompted the Lithuanian guard to clarify his position. Grigonis emphasized that he never intended to cast a shadow over all the memorable experiences in a Panathinaikos jersey, culminating in reaching the absolute peak of European basketball.
Reaction to heated comments and explanation of the interview
Aware that certain parts of his discussion regarding his experiences at Panathinaikos and working alongside the coaching staff sparked conflicting reactions, the new Zalgiris guard sought to put an end to any misinterpretations and send a clear message to the entire green family:
“Over the last few days, I saw some reactions to my interview and thought I needed to say something from my perspective, especially to the PAO family. I rarely post anything like this, but my four years at Panathinaikos cannot be described solely by bad and difficult moments. Every long journey can have them. But there were also great, most cherished moments in my career. I was fortunate enough to be part of the Panathinaikos club, to play in a packed OAKA arena full of fans, and to win the EuroLeague, which is the pinnacle of my basketball career. I also built great relationships with everyone working at the club and will always respect them, as well as the fans who showed me so much love. My interview was about my personal experience, including the tough times, but it was never intended to erase the beautiful things that happened over these four years. There is a lot of love and respect for the people at Panathinaikos and the club itself.”
Marius Grigonis spoke about Ergin Ataman and his relationship with the players! 👀 #paobc pic.twitter.com/N8cps0k0D5
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 7, 2026
What actually sparked the heated reactions in Athens?
The primary driver of dissatisfaction among a section of fans was Grigonis’s blunt evaluation of working with head coach Ergin Ataman:
“I would like you to find me at least one player who has a relationship with him. He completely distances himself from the players. That is the stance he has chosen to take. Communication simply does not exist.”
Certain fans of the Athenian powerhouse interpreted these words as disrespect toward the club and the coach with whom he worked recently and lifted the EuroLeague title. This reactions ultimately compelled Grigonis to issue clarification and set the record straight regarding his true intentions.
