As a lot of focus in the NBA has been put on Argentine forward Luis Scola, who was released by the Houston Rockets via the amnesty clause on Friday, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili recently discussed his other Argentinian teammate who will be making his way into the NBA at 35-years-old, Pablo Prigioni.
Despite his age, Prigioni is going to play out his career by at least giving the highest level of basketball a shot, as he recently agreed to sign with the New York Knicks. Ginobili recently spoke with Argentinian site 26noticias.com about Prigioni’s soon-to-be future in the NBA. (Bear in mind, the translations are very rough to understand)
Ginobili first spoke about how it’s uncommon for an international player to make the jump to the NBA late in age, but he had two former NBA players as examples that it was possible. One being former Spur Fabricio Oberto.
Perhaps people are accustomed to an Argentine makes it to the top of the basketball world, but Paul is not common. ” “I mean he wrote Manu- is not at all unusual for a player is in the NBA for the first time at age 35 (…) I remember landing in Fabri Oberto San Antonio at 30 or Sabonis and Rigaudeau in Portland and Dallas at 31 and coins.”
Ginobili also gave some props to two elder NBA players who still play hard every night and can have an impact.
“Jason Kidd with 39 and Steve Nash with 38 signed with the Knicks and Lakers for three seasons respectively. Great examples of professionalism, conduct and character”.
Not so long ago, Paul 35 years of age were considered to retire. Today, however, athletes increasingly extending the duration of their careers and through science and technology, can maintain a high level of performance previously unthinkable ages “
