Pablo Prigioni and the Rise of the Timberwolves: An Inside Look at the NBA’s Surprising Leaders

Pablo Prigioni, from Córdoba, main assistant of the Wolves. (Cody Sharrett / Timberwolves)

It is clear that the golden era of Argentine basketball has passed, which for almost two decades (2001-2019) was rubbing shoulders with the powers or, directly, rose to the top of the world. But, at this point, there is only one active player from the mythical Golden Generation (Carlos Delfino at 41 years old) and although there are several figures in top teams in Europe, such as Campazzo, Deck (at Real Madrid) and Laprovittola ( in Barcelona), this season we were left without representatives in the NBA, when we had six in the same season (2007/2008, see graph). There is only one and he is not a player. This is Pablo Prigioni, who continues to leave the flag high in the best league in the world, now arriving at the All-Star Game that will be played from the 16th to the 18th of this month at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the so-called Capital of Basketball in USES.

As main assistant of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the surprising leaders of the Western Conference, the Cordoban made history this Sunday by becoming the second Argentine to reach the central game of the All Star. Minnesota’s victory over Atlanta gave him the position of coach of the West to Chris Finch, head coach, who will attend Indianapolis with his coaching staff, including Pablo, offensive specialist of the team that leads with a record of 35 wins and 15 losses. A pride for Argentine basketball, although on the other hand a loss because this place that Prigioni occupies prevents him from being in charge of the team that on the 22nd of this month will begin to fight for a place for the Americup – the rival will be Chile, in Mar del Plata , with the technical direction of Herman Mandole replacing Prigioni. This is the reality of our basketball…

For now, Prigioni is enjoying his big moment. And that of the team. Pablo started as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets in 2018 and in 2019 he moved to Minnesota, where he began to earn merits to be in charge of the team’s offense. He also showed his credentials as a temporary assistant to Sergio Hernández and then as assistant to Néstor García in his Selection processes. He was even confirmed as head coach when the CAB decided to fire Che for misconduct at a rally in Mar del Plata. From there, with the blue and white, he has had good times (he won the Americup in Brazil) and bad times (he was left out of the Olympic Games, having two chances at home). In the NBA, on the other hand, he is enjoying this great moment of a franchise that is used to losing but that now, with the help of Prigioni, exploded with this new team that few had faith in…

Pablo Prigioni directing a Minnesota training session. (Cody Sharrett / Timberwolves)

What is happening in Minneapolis is crazy with the Wolves as leaders in the NBA. To think that almost three years ago the team finished with a record of 49 losses in 82 games, which in the middle of the season cost coach Ryan Saunders his job, although not Prigioni, who continued when Finch arrived to replace him.

The changes started from the top. Glen Taylor, 70, ceased to be the owner, after his sale to businessman Mark Lore and former American baseball star Alex Rodriguez, for $1.5 billion. Little by little, with another energy from the head of the project, with changes in the management (the Colombian Gerrson Rosas left and Saunders, the coach), the Wolves emerged from mediocrity after just one season (17/18) arriving to the playoffs. It could not take off when the duo Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns was formed, but the arrival of Anthony Edwards generated another illusion. With him as a new figure, averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals at just 20 years old, the team had a season with a positive record (46-36) in 21/22.

It was when the Wolves made a move that left many doubts: adding Rudy Gobert, one of the best defenders in the NBA but, at the same time, a 30-year-old center, with little scoring ability and with a large contract ahead of him (205 million for five years) that could mortgage the near future of the franchise. On top of that, in exchange, he gave five players and four draft picks. For many, too much. But Tim Conelly, the new general manager, along with Finch, had no doubt that he was the piece the team was missing to finish forming a powerful trident, with Edwards and Anthony-Towns.

The campaign took a small step back (42-40 record) from the results, but there was especially a defensive improvement, which was what Finch wanted. The Wolves were historically a talented, but weak team, lacking solidity in their own basket. But now it’s different. And much of the success is due to the Frenchman, the defensive width. Minnesota today has the best record in the NBA, clearly the most effective, receiving just 105.9 points every 100 possessions, when the shooting guard has 108 (Houston). He rebounds like few others (43.4 average) and allows low percentages from the field. That’s his great strength.

Pablo Prigioni. (Cody Sharrett / Timberwolves)

In attack it does not stand out as much (19th in efficiency with 112.4 points per 100 possessions), although it has four players at a high level. Edwards is one of the best in the competition, averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists. All Star season confirmed. Anthony Towns, the Dominican power forward who stands out for his versatility and numerous offensive variants, has been strengthened alongside Edwards and Gobert. You take pressure off him and give him space. The other covers him in defense. Towns, who stood out in the World Cup alongside Che García’s Dominican, averages 22.5 points and 8.7 recoveries. Gobert contributes 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, in addition to 12.7 points. Mike Conley, a 36-year-old veteran point guard, continues to lead with skill and contributes 10.6 points and 6.4 assists. The great revelation is Naz Reid, the versatile center who continues to grow (12.3 and 4.6 rebounds), while fighting to win the award for Best Sixth Man of the season. Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson and Alexander-Walker complete the rotation of a team that does not let up and remains on top as the season reaches the halfway point.

Prigioni contributes his grain of sand and went down in history as the first Argentine coach in the All-Star Game. He and the second in the history of the event that serves as a stoppage in the middle of the league season, after the participation of Manu Ginobili. The former number 20 of the San Antonio Spurs was chosen twice for the central game (in 2005 and 2011), where the 24 best players from the entire NBA arrive, the starters chosen by the public and the rest, the substitutes, by the 30 NBA coaches. Luis Scola and Andrés Nocioni went through the all-star weekend, although in the Rookie Game. Now it’s Pablo’s turn to be part of the big show. So that they don’t feel the crisis of our basketball so much.

Ginobili was the only Argentine to participate in the NBA All-Star Game (Getty)

Argentines in the NBA by season

2000-01: Pepe Sanchez and Ruben Wolkowski

2001-02: None

2002-03: Manu Ginobili, Pepe Sanchez, Ruben Wolkowski

2003-04: Manu Ginóbili

2004-05: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginobili, Andrés Nocioni

2005-06: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto

2006-07: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Walter Herrmann, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto

2007-08: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Walter Herrmann, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola

2008-09: Manu Ginobili, Walter Herrmann, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola

2009-10: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola

2010-11: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola

2011-12: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Andrés Nocioni, Luis Scola

2012-13: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginóbili, Pablo Prigioni, Luis Scola

2013-14: Manu Ginóbili, Pablo Prigioni, Luis Scola

2014-15: Manu Ginóbili, Pablo Prigioni, Luis Scola

2015-16: Manu Ginóbili, Pablo Prigioni, Luis Scola

2016-17: Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Nicolás Brussino, Nicolás Laprovittola, Patricio Garino

2017-18: Manu Ginóbili

2018-19: None

2019-20: None

2020-21: Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck

2021-22: Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Leandro Bolmaro, Luca Vildoza

2022-23: Facundo Campazzo, Leandro Bolmaro

2024-02-05 15:28:00
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