ARG – Nocioni excited about playing at Olympics again with Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (Olympics) - Andres Nocioni is champing at the bit to play for Argentina again this summer when they defend the Olympic title they captured at the Athens Games.

Chapu, as he is known in his country, missed last year’s FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas because of a foot injury.

"Having taken a break last year, I am really looking forward to representing Argentina again,” he said.

Nocioni had a sensational Olympic tournament in 2004 before his rookie campaign with the Chicago Bulls and he also played well at the 2006 FIBA World Championship where Argentina finished fourth.

They might have gone on to win the gold medal in Japan had Nocioni made a last-second three-pointer from the corner in their semi-final against Spain. Instead, Sergio Hernandez’s team lost in the bronze medal game to Team USA.

After a disappointing campaign in Chicago, who failed to make the play-offs, Nocioni is anxious to get back on the court.

"We (Chicago) never played as a team, we didn't play defense and we deserved to be out of the play- offs,” Nocioni said.

"The only positive thing with the Bulls this year is that I had no injuries and I played 82 games, but from a team level it was very complicated,” he said.

“We had a team to fight for the Eastern title but in the end, it was a disaster.

"The good thing from having been eliminated from the play-offs is that I can rest to be well for the national team.”

The Beijing Games will be an extremely difficult tournament for the Argentinians, if only because there are so many good teams in international basketball, now.

They were drawn in Group A with Australia, Lithuania, Russia and Iran.

"We must have a good preparation because the Olympics is a much harder competition than the World Championship,” Nocioni said.

“There are no easy rivals. Everyone is strong.”

Team USA will no doubt like to face Argentina again after losing to them in the semi-finals four years ago. 

"We don't fear the Dream Team (USA) and I would really like to avenge the defeat to Spain,” Nocioni said.

"We are capable of winning a medal. We are going as one of the favorites and there is no reason why should we avoid that pressure.

“Each of us knows what our role is in the national team is and what we have to do."

Pepe Sanchez was one of the point guards at the Athens Olympics and he was arguably Argentina’s best player at the FIBA World Championship in Japan.

However, the 31-year-old Sanchez recently decided to retire from the national team.

Nocioni believes Pablo Prigioni of Tau Ceramica, the club he once played for in Spain, will do just fine as the starting playmaker.

"I believe Pablo Prigioni could be a good replacement for Pepe Sanchez," Nocioni said.

FIBA