Pablo Prigioni: “We showed that we want to be a good team”

Argentina’s National Team, led by Pablo Prigioni, has been left with no chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, something that has not happened since Sydney 2000 and in between there are medals and great performances that have -leave our basketball competing at the top. of the world. Now, unfortunately, the truth is rebuilding and the coach spoke about the game and his future.

Coach’s evaluation after the match

After a heavy defeat against the Bahamians Paul Prigionistated: “It was a final and the team played it as such. Everything we prepared and talked about we carry it out in a 95%So that’s the difference in the first game, we had options to win it. We were there, we competed at a very high level, considering that there were three superlative levels of players on the other team. We are reduced, with the decrease of Luca Vildozato leave Facundo Campazzo only in that position that we use it to generate a lot”.

He says that individual talent is what he has to offer Eric Gordon in the Bahamas yesterday, was the key to the game, because the albiceleste managed to contain too well it’s deandre already Buddy Hieldbut in the last possessions for Argentina’s bad luck, the guard of phoenix suns, he awakened his pulse and did not forgive the offensive mistakes of those ordered by Prigioni. According to the Argentine coach, the game plan had to be maintained until the end with that hierarchy on the rival side, and the game almost escaped them.

“It’s not enough for us to win, but I think so the team showed what a team is, that it wants to be a great team. Maybe a good team doesn’t comment on those mistakes, they don’t forget a player like that at the end, but I think we competed with a very good national team, that’s a small message to the boys, considering -considering that there are young players who are just playing the selection. I’m leaving satisfied with the work they’ve done from day one and the work they’ve done today.”

Pablo Prigioni, an uncertain future in Argentina

“I would like to continue, but there is still a lot of time left. I have a season on nbaMy current team lets me do the same job, but I don’t know if I’ll continue with the same team in a year or two, I don’t know if the next team will let me or not. As much as I can, if the Confederation agrees, I will try to get there, but I cannot guarantee it now. I’m happy because I think this preparation is like a way of working, I think the team has worked at a very high level, the team has modernized its offense quite a bit, so far it has a very high offensive rating, we have some defensive gaps are the point where selection needs to be improved”

A hidden stick?

Between persuading the Carlos Delfinowho should retire at his age, decided to give up everything for the shirt he loves and knows how to represent with the Golden Generation, he publicly thanked the 41-year-old player and said that if we qualify for in the pre-Olympic competition, Carlos, I would have continued without hesitation.

But those words to the veteran clearly hid a small complaint among the players who decided not to go to compete for the national team, knowing how important this qualifier is. Because Prigioni also made it clear: “It’s easy to go to the national team when there are six or seven players in nba, when you were a power. Now that is not the case, in fact, the Bahamas has three NBA players and we have none. So our reality is this, there are no players in the NBA, with great players Europeand we have to focus on that, on that transformation, on the growth of young people, focus on them improving, to those who have fallen further, our reality is this”.

While the bitter taste remains in the mouth, it should be understood that the Argentine National Team is in the process of being replaced. Should have started earlier perhaps? Of course he did, but he played in these opportunities and they tried to compete for everything, they gave everything and we thank the players and the coaching staff who put aside their work in Europe or in the NBA to manage the albiceleste. Hopefully these tough losses will strengthen the group and the return will bring honor back to our land.

Photos: CABB