ARG – Milanesio shares his magic with his team

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Argentina has seen many great players over the years but there is no doubt that Marcelo Milanesio is still considered the best point guard in their history.

Milanesio, who played in four FIBA World Championships (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998), was invited back to the national team as a counselor this summer and he is enjoying the ride so far.

Some of his achievements include 14 championships between National and International Club competitions with Atenas de Cordoba. He was also the leader in assists during the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, Canada with an average of 6,9 assists per game.

Now, with the lack of pure point guard in modern basketball, Argentina is still ran by a similar player, Pablo Prigioni who has maintained the same level of results from the last ten years.

FIBA: Why don’t we see the ‘pure point guard’ in international basketball as often as we did before?

Milanesio: I think that basketball has become more physical, the players are also more athletic and the teams don’t insist like they did before in team basketball. The guards don’t organize as much as before because of their set of skills and the new demands in the game.

FIBA: What similarities and difference do you see between Pablo Prigioni and yourself?

Pablo is a better defensive player than I was, he also had more experience in international club competitions so he made the transition to this type of tournament so what he does is better that what I did. In terms of passing and a strategist we are very similar. Also Pablo is a good scorer, has great passing skills and overall is a great guard.

FIBA: What do you think about the Argentinean Golden Generation of basketball?

Milanesio: It has been an incredible generation with a lot of heart and toughness. One of the great things that they had was the opportunity to go to Europe at an early age. It was a coincidence that I could play with some of those players when they were starting up and most of them had great international careers.

FIBA: What is your role with this national team?

Milanesio: I am here as a counselor, answering any question that a coach or a player could have. I also help their preparation in case that they need it.

FIBA: What is your favorite FIBA World Championship as a player?

Milanesio: I remember the 1998 FIBA World Championship the most. We had a good game against the eventual champion Serbia (then Yugoslavia) and we lost by just one point to Lithuania. This was a tournament that I feel that we could have done more.

FIBA: And your experience seeing the games in the tournament?

Milanesio: It has been a great tournament so far, the organization, the games, everything has been a great experience and I am happy to be a part of it.

FIBA   

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