The 2014
FIBA World Cup of Basketball is closing in. After 36 years, a Filipino team is
once again among the teams participating, and Pinoy hoop nuts the world over
eagerly await how Gilas Pililipinas will fare against the world's best
basketball talents.
In this
five-part series, I will give a preview of what to expect from each team Gilas
will face in Group B. In this particular post, we'll focus on a FIBA Americas squad
that may be seeing the twilight of its golden era – Argentina.
 |
| Luis Scola is expected to lead Argentina in #Spain2014. (image from the Basketball Federation of Serbia) |
(as of August 26, 2014)
Position
|
Name
|
Age
|
Height
|
Club
|
PF/C
|
Luis Scola
|
34
|
6’9
|
Indiana
Pacers
|
PF/C
|
Tayavek
Gallizzi
|
21
|
6’9
|
Quilmes
|
SF
|
Marcos
Mata
|
28
|
6’7
|
Franca
|
PG
|
Facundo
Campazzo
|
23
|
5’10
|
Real
Madrid
|
PG
|
Pablo
Prigioni
|
37
|
6’3
|
New York
Knicks
|
PG
|
Nicolas
Laprovittola
|
24
|
6’1
|
Flamengo
|
PF
|
Leonardo
Gutierrez
|
36
|
6’7
|
Penarol
|
C
|
Marcos
Delia
|
22
|
6’10
|
Obras
Sanitarias
|
SF
|
Walter
Herrmann
|
35
|
6’9
|
Flamengo
|
PF/C
|
Matias
Bortolin
|
21
|
6’9
|
Regatas
Corrientes
|
SF/SG
|
Selem
Safar
|
27
|
6’3
|
Obras Sanitarias
|
SF/PF
|
Andres
Nocioni
|
34
|
6’7
|
Real
Madrid
|
Notes:
- The
most glaring absence from Argentina’s roster is San Antonio Spur Manu Ginobili,
who has practically retired from international basketball. That’s a big blow,
of course, since Ginobili has been the most prominent player of this country’s
“golden generation” of hoopsters. Beyond the skill-set he brings, it is Manu’s
leadership and grit that will be missed.
- Still,
there is more than enough on coach Julio Lamas’s lineup to top Group C and challenge
in the next few rounds. Without a doubt, Lusi Scola will be this team’s best
offensive option, but the 34-year old might also be on the tailend of his
playing days for Los Condores. He averaged around 19 points and 7 rebounds in
the 2013 FIBA Americas, but he should enjoy a bit more slack this time around
as veterans Andres Nocioni, Walter Herrmann, and Pablo Prigioni have returned
to the national team.
- Those
three ultra-veterans (average age is 35) won’t really take over games, but
their experience and poise at this level will be invaluable.
 |
| Andres Nocioni returns to the national team after missing FIBA Americas 2013. (image from the Basketball Federation of Serbia) |
- On
the other end of the spectrum, a few young guns to watch are Facundo Campazzo,
Nicolas Laprovittola, and Selem Safar. These young guards will learn a lot from
Prigioni and will get more playing time in Manu’s absence.
- Campazzo,
in particular, is the one to really keep tabs on. The 23-year-old guard is
touted as Argentina’s future superstar. He just signed with Spanish powerhouse
Real Madrid and should make a lot more noise in the 2014-2015 season. He’s a
great all-around PG, able to score from anywhere and find his teammates in easy
spots.
- Laprovittola
and Safar, meanwhile, are great shooters. They combined to hit about 45% of
their threes in the 2013 FIBA Americas and should remain deadly snipers in Spain.
- Carlos
Delfino, without a doubt, would have given Argentina a huge lift, but he is
still recovering from a foot surgery he had late in 2013.
How
does Gilas match up?
- Size-wise,
Argentina doesn’t hold much of an edge, at least in terms of the frontline. A
starting frontcourt of Andray Blatche and Japeth Aguilar will actually be a
little bigger than the projected starters for Argentina – Luis Scola and Leo
Gutierrez/Andres Nocioni. Still, in terms of pure skill and team play, the
Argentines are nonpareil. Scola is one of the best low block players in the
World Cup and Nocioni can spread the floor quite well.
- I
think Gilas will have a bit of an advantage on Argentina in terms of speed.
Jayson Castro (provided he’s recovering at a good rate), LA Tenorio, and Paul
Lee are going to be our main catalysts on offense, and they should keep
Campazzo and Prigioni on their toes on defense.
 |
| Facundo Campazzo is one of Argentina's brightest young stars. (image from futurodeseleccion.com.ar) |
- It
goes without saying that Dray should have another strong game here. If he can
negate the potential double-double contributions of Scola, then that will boost
our chances of a monumental upset. Maybe a 25-12 game?
- Herrmann,
Nocioni, and a couple of other guys on the Argentine squad can shoot the lights
out, so our own snipers need to be on-target, too. By and large, this is going to
be a really tough test for Gilas, but it will definitely give the team
invaluable experience.
#LabanPilipinas
#PUSO
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