Pablo Prigioni, Point Guard – New York Knicks
An unusual NBA rookie at age 35, the Argentine-born Prigioni is known as a creative, pass-first player who is always looking to set up his teammates for that dime. A professional baller since 1995, Prigioni was instrumental in helping Saski Baskonia earn several titles in the Euroleague from 2004-2009 and also winning the Spanish Championship in 2008. Already a fan-favorite in New York, Prigioni’s tenacious defensive presence and floor generalship will be critical in his back-up of Raymond Felton if the Knicks wish to break their 40-year championship drought.
Brook Lopez, Center – Brooklyn Nets
Once the subject of extensive trade talks for Dwight Howard, the half-Cuban Lopez is also the twin brother of Robin Lopez and is one the most versatile big men in the NBA. Seemingly oft-injured, Lopez has elevated his game with an array of low-post moves and raised his defensive intensity averaging a career-best 2.2 blocks per game and his first All-Star appearance. Currently the team’s leader in points (19.4 per game) and field goal percentage (52.2%), Lopez, together with the starting backcourt of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, form Brooklyn’s version of the Big 3, a trio capable of upsetting higher seeds with the matchup problems Lopez creates for opposing centers with his long-range shooting prowess.
