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 The 37-year-old Argentina point guard, who joined the Knicks in
2012 from Spanish side Caja Laboral, also announced that he would be
quitting the international stage after the 24-nation tournament in
order to focus on his NBA career.
"Spain and a few other teams now have a chance of beating the United
States," said Prigioni at the warm-up event in Belgrade where
Argentina were soundly beaten by host nation Serbia and Puerto Rico.
"It will be interesting to see how they will adjust now they are
missing their biggest names."
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love and Blake
Griffin have all rejected invitations to play as the Americans
prepare to defend the World Cup they won in Istanbul in 2010.
Prigioni's Argentina team mate Luis Scola, now plying his trade with
the Indiana Pacers after five seasons at the Houston Rockets and one
at the Phoenix Suns, believes the title holders remain strong
favourites.
 "The United States are always a good team no matter who plays and
Spain will obviously be contenders too as the host nation," Scola
told Reuters.
"We are a work in progress but I believe we are a good team too
capable of making an impact. My expectations are high but we have to
improve because we won't beat anybody if we play like we did in
Belgrade."
Having been a key player in Argentina's shock triumph at the 2004
Olympics and their runners-up finish in the 2002 World Cup, Scola
reminisced about his boyhood dream of becoming a household name.
"There, that's me," he said proudly as he showed off a photo of
himself as a 10-year-old ballboy at the 1990 World Cup in Argentina,
huddled in a corner as Yugoslavia beat the Soviet Union in the final
in Buenos Aires
"I was there every day and watched all the games.
"I am closer to the end of my career than the beginning but I will
carry on for a few more years and the World Cup will not be my last
tournament for Argentina," said 34-year-old power forward Scola.
[to top of second column] |
GREAT EXPERIENCE
Prigioni has decided to hang up his Argentina jersey after the World Cup
to stay in shape for the most demanding basketball environment there is.
"The World Cup will be my last tournament for the national team because
I want to focus entirely on the NBA next season," he said.
"Playing in the NBA is a great experience and one that came out of the
blue because I didn't expect the opportunity so late in my career.
"I try to enjoy every day, it's the best place to play basketball and a
very nice thing in the twilight of a player's career."
Like the U.S. and several other teams Argentina will also be at less
than full strength as guard Manu Ginobili, who won his fourth NBA title
with the San Antonio Spurs in June, will miss out along with Milwaukee
Bucks forward Carlos Delfino.
Prigioni said his country may find it difficult to advance to the latter
stages of the World Cup without the influential duo.
"It will be very tough for us without Ginobili and Delfino but we will
have to adjust and play without them," he added.
"We have to believe in our young players and find a way to compete with
the resources we have."
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
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