Meet Ergin Ataman, coach of Galatasaray, a Turkish basketball club. Ataman was not pleased with his team’s performance so like most coaches he called a timeout, but not to talk about their lackluster effort or give words of inspiration. Ataman called a timeout so he could sit at the end of the bench and ignore his players. The clipboard was not doodled upon and not one word was said, not even an “attaboy” or “Let’s go get’em!” I strongly believe that Ataman stole this maneuver from my wife’s playbook, it’s called the “Silent Treatment” and it’s incredibly effective when she gives me the cold shoulder.
Ergin did not seem like a happy camper.
About Paul Sacca