Andres Nocioni questions Eric Gordon's recruitment by the Bahamas / News - Basketnews.com

Retired Argentinian forward Andres Nocioni wondered whether Eric Gordon should have been allowed to play for the Bahamas in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

Credit: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images Credit Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

For the first time this century, Argentina will not compete in a FIBA World Cup. Nor will they show up at the 2024 Olympic Games, for the first time since Sydney 2000. 2023 marks the end of an era after nine consecutive World Cups and five straight Olympics.

Andres Nocioni

Position:PF, SFAge:43Height:203 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Santa Fe, ArgentinaProfileNewsStatistics

The illusion of playing for a spot in Paris 2024 next year clashed with the reality that a team like the Bahamas, which doesn't boast significant basketball tradition but relies on considerable NBA firepower in the likes of Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield, has shown Argentina that several changes need to be made.

Andres Nocioni, a member of so-called Argentina's Golden Generation, requested patience and remarked that "nothing is solved overnight" as a response to the criticism leveled at the squad coached by his once-teammate, Pablo Prigioni.

"It wasn't meant to be. The leadership of (Eric) Gordon in the decisive moments broke the excitement of Argentina, who had played a great game so far. Tough moment," the 43-year-old retired player wrote on Twitter.

An Olympic champion in Athens 2004 and World Cup runner-up in Indianapolis 2002 with the Albiceleste team, Nocioni did not only comment on Argentina's future, but also touched on Eric Gordon's late recruitment by the Bahamas, who finished theFIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Argentina with a 4-0 record.

"Now with a cold mind, I'm thinking: Is it fair what the Bahamas did? To nationalize a player who had already competed for the United States (even winning a World Cup) at the last minute?" Nocioni wondered.

"This kind of signing belongs to a club competition, not a national teams tournament. And it should be corrected. Let's not lose the essence of international competitions," the former NBA and EuroLeague forward wrote.

The Phoenix Suns guard, 34, ran the offense in the Bahamas' big win over Argentina, scoring a game-high 27 points, shooting 8-13 from the field and 6-7 from downtown. He also added 3 rebounds and 3 steals, one of them in the clutch as Argentina was trying to regain the lead.

Gordon, 34, representedTeam USAin the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, where he averaged 8.6 points while finishing second on the team in three-pointers made, helping the United States finish a perfect record of (9–0) en route to winning the gold medal.

USA Basketball granted Gordon’s release and FIBA approved his change of country representation due to Article 22 of its Internal Regulations. Article 22 prohibits a player from changing national team allegiance once he has participated in a major FIBA competition.

The article can be amended at FIBA's discretion if the player is joining a developing national team program and the move is deemed "in the best interest of basketball."

His late addition to the roster proved to be the difference for an already stacked squad.

On the other hand, the Argentines have been consistent with developing projects, coaches, and players in their homeland and they find these signings shocking.

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