Friday, July 27, 2012
Kickin' it with a Knick: Pablo Prigioni
By Jared Zwerling

A few days after running the point for the Argentina national team against Team USA on Sunday, new Knick Pablo Prigioni spoke with ESPN New York. It was Prigioni's first interview with an American media outlet.

Here's the conversation, covering the Olympics, Prigioni's international basketball experiences, the Knicks and his interests off the court:

Q: How has your experience been so far playing with the Argentina national team?
Prigioni: It is very nice. We live a lot of good moments. It's a wonderful team and we enjoy playing together.

Q: You kept it very close with the Americans in Barcelona. How do you think you guys were able to do that, and what do you expect in the next potential matchup?
Prigioni: After the bad beginning, we found our play. I think we gave the Americans problems; they played nervous. This matchup helped us to know how we need to play in London.

Q: What are some of your standout moments during your many years playing international basketball?
Prigioni: To win a championship is always the best moment. I won a lot of championships in the Spanish League, in Europe and also with the national team, like the bronze medal in Beijing. I always remember that.

Q: You've been able to stay pretty healthy throughout your career, avoiding major injuries. What do you credit for being in great shape, even at 35 years old?
Prigioni: There's something of good luck because I never had a serious injury. I try to eat healthy and sleep in the free moments, so then I can train hard. I try to be always in my best form.

Q: You said you like to eat healthy. What are some of your favorite foods? Some Argentinian dishes?
Prigioni: No, just normal food. Chicken, fish, meat, salad. I stopped eating pasta and bread. Also, I don't drink milk.

Q: Why did you feel it was the right time to play in the NBA this season, and not continue playing overseas?
Prigioni: After many years in Europe, the only way to go up in my career was the NBA. It was very important the interest that the New York Knicks showed me. They chose me and they were sure that I can contribute with the team.

Q: Were you close to joining the NBA in the past? If so, what happened?
Prigioni: Three years ago, I had a chance to play in the NBA. But I finally got to play with Real Madrid because it was a really good team.

Q: Your fellow Argentinian teammates Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino and Andres Nocioni have played well in the NBA. Did their success motivate you to give the NBA a shot?
Prigioni: I received regards from the team and they motivated me a lot. Of course, my teammates that know the NBA tell me all about the league.

Q: Is there a unique Argentinian style of basketball you think that's translated well to the NBA?
Prigioni: There is an Argentinian style of basketball. The national team has played together for a lot of years. The Argentinian players have special character to compete, and it can move to the NBA -- more than our style, but also how we play in NBA sets.

Q: Did you get any other offers to play in the NBA this season besides the Knicks one?
Prigioni: Yes, there was one other team, but my first option was always New York. I prefer not to say the other team.

Q: Why did you think the Knicks presented the best opportunity for you?
Prigioni: Because I can help the team. They demonstrated that trust in me.

Q: How do you think you can help the Knicks, and what do you think it will be like to play with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd?
Prigioni: I'll try to help the team with my style and listening to the coach indications. It's a pleasure to be on the same team with two players like Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd. It's going to be an opportunity to continue learning.

Q: Your agent, George Bass, said that you remind him a bit of Kidd, being that you're a pass-first point guard. Do you think you play like him?
Prigioni: Yes, I think the same. I think the most important thing is to play for the team, for my teammates. Of course, Jason Kidd was a mirror in my career, and one of my favorite NBA players.

Q: Were you excited about potentially playing with Jeremy Lin, and are you surprised he's not a Knick?
Prigioni: The most important is to be part of the team. It was a surprise that Jeremy is not a Knick. Anyhow, the team now has three good point guards in that position.

Q: By the way, have you ever been to New York City before?
Prigioni: I was with my wife, Raquel, just a couple days ago, so I know a lot of places now in the city. But I will work hard. For sure, she will have more time than me to visit the city.

Q: What do you enjoy off the court when you're not playing basketball? Do you have any fun hobbies?
Prigioni: I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children, Alessandra, 6, and Nicolas, 3. Also, with my friends. My favorite hobbies are the antiques -- old cars and muscle cars. I have one Chevrolet truck from 1953, a Ford Mustang convertible from 1965, and three scooters from 1957, 1966 and 1979. Plus, in my home, I have small antique things like (an old typewriter) and jukebox.

Q: You said you like to eat healthy. What are some of your favorite foods? Some Argentinian dishes?
Prigioni: No, just normal food. Chicken, fish, meat, salad. I stopped eating pasta and bread. Also, I don't drink milk.

So that's how he stays healthy and looks ripped even at 35!

I gotta start adopting that diet.

LONDON — Pablo Prigioni is not aware of the uproar Jeremy Lin’s stunning departure created in New York, but James Dolan’s newest point guard did try to lend a sane voice to Linsanity by assuring Knicks fans that they are in good hands.
“At that position we have everything,” Prigioni said on Saturday. “Raymond (Felton) can score, Jason (Kidd) and me can run the team. I think we have many options at that position and I think fans will be happy and enjoy our game.”

The Knicks signed the 35-year-old Argentine point guard last week after pursing him for three seasons. It was the final stage of a complete facelift for the team’s point guard position. Toney Douglas, Baron Davis, Mike Bibby and Lin are all gone and the feeling is that the Knicks have upgraded by adding Kidd, Felton and Prigioni.

A lot depends on Felton’s conditioning and whether Kidd, who turns 40 in March, can stay healthy. The x-factor, like Lin last season, could be Prigioni, who has been one of Europe’s top point guards for years.

His Olympic teammates and fellow NBA players, Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola, rave about Prigioni. Toronto’s Jose Calderon, who once played with Prigioni in Spain, calls him the consummate point guard. He even has a strong endorsement from Carmelo Anthony, which can only help.

But for fans looking for Prigioni to be the next Lin, forget it. They are two different players, which may be a good thing for the Knicks.

“Jeremy is more of a scorer,” Prigioni said. “He likes to shoot more. I saw him about 10 games from last year. I saw him all the time looking to score. Many point guards in the NBA (do the same) because they have talent of course.

“I’m not this kind of player. I like to pass the ball and find the open (shooters); play smart. If someone is open, give the ball to him.”

The theory last season was that Lin and Anthony could not co-exist because both need the ball to be successful. Lin is more of a probing type of point guard in the mold of Steve Nash. He’s looking to keep his dribble until he can find an opening.

The problem, however, is that Anthony prefers to play with the ball and have isolations run for him. Whether Melo’s way can win is debatable. But there’s little doubt that Prigioni complements Anthony’s game.

“The way I play is great to have wonder players like them (around me),” he said. “I like to play for my teammates, give the ball in the right moments and try to exploit their talents. That’s how I think as a point guard.

“I’m not looking to score 30 points. Some days you need me to score more, I score. I understand basketball is a team sport. I want to play for my teammates, penetrate, dish and get assists. The way I play it is great to have great scorers around me like I have on the national team.”

Prigioni turned down offers from the Knicks for three years because he was making more money in Europe and didn’t feel the timing was right. Ginobili and Scola, however, advised him to seriously consider a move this year to the world’s top professional league because as Ginobili told him, “You could be 45, retired and you may think ‘what if?’ That stinks. I think it’s something where if you have the opportunity you have to try it.”

Prigioni was willing to commit to one year for the Knicks, who had offered him a two-year deal. His Spanish wife and two small children will join him in New York and he wants to make sure that his family is comfortable. He also knows that if Felton and Kidd play up to standards, his playing time could be limited.

“He’s a great point guard but in the NBA it depends on the opportunity and the system,” Ginobili said. “It doesn’t always depend on you, especially when you’re a rookie.”

Lin was a similar low-risk investment for the Knicks and parlayed his opportunity into a $25 million contract with the Houston Rockets. Prigioni is at a different stage in his career and understands that he’ll have to earn his minutes coming in behind two experienced point guards, including a future Hall of Famer.

But Prigioni, who is from Cordoba, is comfortable with the Knicks organization and coaching staff after visiting New York in June. Mike Woodson is expected to attend one of his games at the Olympics.

Prigioni is excited about moving to New York and experiencing Madison Square Garden for the first time. Who knows, in a few more months Pablo-sanity may be all the rage.

“I feel something inside my body to push me to accept (the Knicks) offer,” Prigioni said. “I want to go there to try to play in the best league in the world against the great wonderful players. I’m pretty sure that now I want to go.”

Like and what I've heard, saw, and read so far about Pablo. The way he deftly bats away the Lin question with ease is another strong point:

“Jeremy is more of a scorer,” Prigioni said. “He likes to shoot more. I saw him about 10 games from last year. I saw him all the time looking to score. Many point guards in the NBA (do the same) because they have talent of course.

“I’m not this kind of player. I like to pass the ball and find the open (shooters); play smart. If someone is open, give the ball to him.”

The theory last season was that Lin and Anthony could not co-exist because both need the ball to be successful. Lin is more of a probing type of point guard in the mold of Steve Nash. He’s looking to keep his dribble until he can find an opening.

The problem, however, is that Anthony prefers to play with the ball and have isolations run for him. Whether Melo’s way can win is debatable. But there’s little doubt that Prigioni complements Anthony’s game.

“The way I play is great to have wonder players like them (around me),” he said. “I like to play for my teammates, give the ball in the right moments and try to exploit their talents. That’s how I think as a point guard.

Can't wait to see Pablo get extended playing time in pre-season, and possibly meaningful playing time during the regular season. Either way, seems like a great insurance policy to have, which we lacked big time last year.