Andrea Bargnani: “I don’t feel like I’ve arrived”
How do you feel about Chris Bosh leaving the Raptors? On one hand, it obviously makes the team a little weaker. But on the other, it helps you individually because you are going to have a bigger role. How do you feel about that?
Andrea Bargnani: For sure he leaves a big hole because he’s a very good player. We’re going to miss him because he’s an All-Star. Playing with him makes it easier for everybody, but we gotta play and it’s an opportunity for me and other players to step up and to do something more.
Do you feel the Raptors are your team now?
AB: They’ve always been my team. I was in a nice spot last year too. I was the second option last year. We have to finish the team because the market is not closed yet… And I just hope we make better. We didn’t make the playoffs, so it’s not like we come from a championship. We can only get better.
How do you think the team has done during this offseason?
AB: I think we signed very talented players: Kleiza, Andersen, the two young guys that we drafted… Maybe they are not ready today to go on the court and do something, but they have a great potential to develop and grow. DeMar (DeRozan) got much better, Sonny Weems too in the summer league… We took Barbosa, who likes to play an up-tempo game… We’re a pretty young team, athletic, we can run a lot. Should be a fun basketball to play.
Which position would you like to play this year?
AB: My natural position of course is power forward. But the last four years, I played at the five and I did good. I got better every year. It doesn’t really make a difference, but if you ask me what position I prefer to play, I have to say power forward.
In which areas do you think you will have to step up the most this season?
AB: I gotta continue to get better on the rebounding and the low post.
Is the All-Star Game a goal for you this season? And do you think that would be a realistical goal?
AB: I think the All-Star Game is a goal and a dream for all the players in the world. You practice, you try to get better every year… You can’t do nothing more than that.
What was your reaction when you learned Bosh was going to Miami?
AB: I wasn’t surprised. His contract was finished and the feeling was that he was going to leave. You could feel that he was going to leave for the last couple of months before the end of the season. Everybody had this kind of feeling. So I wasn’t surprised.
Some people believe he gave up on the team late last season. What do you think about that?
AB: Every time he was wearing the jersey on the court, he always played hard. His numbers prove that. He’s a good player. As for personal stuff, I don’t know, I can’t know and personally I don’t want to know. Everybody can think whatever.
How do you feel about your NBA career so far?
AB: I got better every year. You cannot ask more than that. But you always want more, so I’m not satisfied. I mean, I’m satisfied with my career, but I don’t feel like I’ve arrived. I feel like I have to keep working and do much more than what I’ve done.
Do you feel the pressure that comes with being picked No. 1 in the draft?
AB: Not really. I had more pressure when I was in Europe and I didn’t know if I was going to the NBA or I was staying in Europe. One year before the draft, I didn’t even know what the draft was. I think the draft is more pressure for an American player. For me, for European players, it’s just a way of getting to the NBA. It doesn’t mean much being No. 1 or No. 2. I was very happy with being No. 1 because it was an historical thing for an European player. But I was even more happy because I got the chance to go to a city like Toronto.
What would you say to those critics you have that question your toughness or your passion for the game?
AB: Anything a player makes, he’s going to have critics about it. You have to start worrying when nobody criticizes you. With a good player, people will criticize and challenge you. And that’s the best thing because that gives you extra motivation.
Other than the extra motivation, does this affect you in any way?
AB: No, because if somebody tells me I don’t have passion that doesn’t make anything to me because that doesn’t have any sense. Without passion, you don’t arrive in the NBA. The NBA is not a joke. You have to work all your life to get in the NBA. So the stupid criticism without any sense doesn’t make anything to me. But there is some criticism that is real. I mean, if somebody tells me I have to get better on something, maybe I realize that it’s true so I try to get better. So some stuff is good to know.
There was talk last year about a division between American and foreign players in the locker room. Is there any truth to that?
AB: There wasn’t any division, no. We were cool. Of course with European guys you have more things to talk about, right? It’s common sense. But we were cool with everybody and friends with everybody. If I speak with Jose (Calderon), I got more things to speak about because we come from almost the same place and we can talk about the cities we’ve been in Spain or Italy.
What has been wrong with the Italian National Team the past few years? The team has been very successful in the past, but they have been struggling lately.
AB: Playing in Europe is really tough. The other teams are always very good and have a lot of players with a lot of experience in Euroleague and big teams. In Italy, it’s different. The Italian basketball, the championship… It’s not big like in Spain, for example. We are pretty young. We need to grow up and learn how to play together. Europe is not easy.
Robert Geczi Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 7:42 pm
This team, for the most part, reminds me of how Houston was this past year, without Yao Ming. I think they have a chance to surprise some people, but in the end, will miss the playoffs. The East is too strong for them to have any real chance. With Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and a few up and coming teams, I think Toronto won’t make the cut this year, which is too bad, because this is my hometown team.
I wish them all the best though.
Andrea's interview on hoopshype Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 7:54 pm
[...] Andrea’s interview on hoopshype HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra Andrea Bargnani: “I don’t feel like I’ve ar… [...]
RK Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Sorry Andrea is soft, I hope Bargs steps it up this year, for the sake of the Raptors. Its a make or break year for Bargs..he can become an all-star or he can become an average NBA forward..its up to him (the talent is there).
Kurt Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
He will definitely step it up big this year. Creates his own shots, and is definitely best at the 5 spot. It was always fun seeing him get under Yao, Shaq’s, or Dwights skin because they couldn’t keep up to him. On defense however, all three of these guys dominated him.
B-Ball Knowledge Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
Not a bad player, but if we’re depending on Andrea to take us to the playoffs, or eventually the promised land, well then we here in the T-Dot will be waiting a damn long time!
He has skills, but jump shooting big men who don’t rebound can’t lead their teams anywhere!
Jack Sikma was a very good rebounder….Bill LAMEbeer was a very good rebounder and defender….Dirk bangs the boards in the playoffs, and is far superior offensive player.
I mention those three because their games are “similar” to Bargnani’s on offense (Okur as well I guess), but those players all contributed to winning teams with their defence and rebounding…ALONG with the offence. I see Bargnani as either having a reluctance to get his nose dirty, or not understanding how to “do more”.
For the sake of “my” team, I hope he steps up!
Freddy Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
This is for sure the most important year in Bargnani’s career. We already know he’s no Olajuwon, but he proved he’s not Kwame too. So, it’s up to him: it’s not about scoring. It’s about rebounding, defending hard, leadership. All these things he must have to be a good first option.
His true position is the 4 spot, the same one Bosh plays. Without him, I’m sure that Andrea will play that position for many minutes.
Question is: how good could Bargnani be? I guess we’ll find out this year…
In bocca al lupo (good luck) Andrea, ti auguro il meglio quest’anno (I wish you the best this year)…
masterjuddi Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
good interview! Bargs answered the questions exactly the way he was suppose to.the guy needs to step up, but he wont be asked to replace Bosh…it’ll be a team step up that makes the Raps a surprise. Bargs, Derozan, Weems and Barbosa will be responsible for a lot of production.
Frank Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
I hope Andrea gets voted to be an all star over Bosh. That would be amazing!
jj Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Andrea will shine upcoming season~ so watch out East!!!
J Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
They can still be a good team IF they succeed in trading Calderon and use the trade exception to get a starting center. If they get a physical center Bargnani can embrace a Rashard Lewis type of role. I agree that they’re like a Yao-less Rockets team, especially if they had gotten Barnes.
J Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
I always think he is a power forward, he is not a center like Yao or Howard, he is more a player like DIrk, or Proja. He has a nice touch with his shoot, and he is tall, big and quick. Bosh is a block for his development for sure, because Bosh is a proved All Star when he is just a rookie, and he has play behind Bosh for most of his career. But he has the different style than Bosh. He is more rely on his jump shot and long range. He will be a 20 plus and 8 guy for most of his career. But he has to play with a tough, big center who will help to set screen and rebound. Chandler is the best fit, but the trade got taught by Jordan. Now they has to search one or draft one next year. But DeRozan, Bargnani and Barbosa can found a good core for now, they remind me of the Dallas, Dirk, Josh Howard and Jason Terry, now they need to find a true point and big center. Ed Davis and Johnson is also a great bench for the raptors, one or two years from now, they should be way better than last year, because Bosh is not a good center peice to build with, he is just a temporary cornerstone for the club to move on.
Andrea's interview on hoopshype Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
[...] you try to get better every year… You can’t do nothing more than that. Read more: HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Jorge Sierra Andrea Bargnani: “I don’t feel like I’ve ar… I like what I’m hearing from Bargs. The guy has the right [...]
CMS Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
Bargs is absolutely correct when he says he is best at PF. Which begs the question why did the Raps draft him when their best position was filled by a perimeter face up PF? Regardless, with Bosh gone, I hope Bargs can fill the hole if we give him the same shots and set ups we gave Bosh. At the same time, I don’t believe Bargs to be a cornerstone for the Raps franchise, and more of (like Bosh) a secondary player. Let’s hope BC pulls some trade magic, or one of the Young Gunz steps up BIG TIME.
JS Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
AB is a power-forward.
I always thought he could be a bigger and taller Dirk.
BUT obviously he was blocked from his true potential by Chris Bosh.
He will step it up big this coming season.
As well as Demar and Weems.
It will be an interesting season.
triangleoffense Said,
July 29, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
What people dont realise was chris bosh wasnt a great player, he was a good player but not great. A great player is defined by just statistics, its more so defined from wins and how well he can perform in games that matter e.g Playoffs. We will find out chris’s true colors next year. Andrea Bargnani can turn out to be a great player and theres 1 possible way of doing that. Suround him with the right players e.g they need:
1.A center who is strong, athletic and that can not only be a defensive presence but can play some low post.(not a big scorer more of a defender)
2.A mature PG who can make plays and also score and defend.
3. Tough veterans on there bench both (scorers and defenders)
These little steps can turn Bargnani onto the player toronto would like and also make the younger guys like Derozan better. He also has a huge upside but needs a veteran guard to learn from.
Im a lakers fan and I watched Pau Gasol play with Grizzlies for years before he arrived in LA. He was weak. He was so weak that he barely played his back to the basket. When he did arrive in LA he was surounded by some of the most toughest players in the league this is the reason why LA played the last 3 NBA finals & have won the last 2.
Players are influenced by their team mates first, then the coaches. If you suround the right pieces with this young team. I believe the sky limit. Toughness isnt made in the gym its more so mentally than physically.
Derozan & Bargnani can be a force in years to come if they follow these simple steps!
koko Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 2:03 am
Bargnani is a power forward and his game is there to prove it. Nice shoot and rage for
a big, but he really needs to improve on his interior game even if he’s gonna play 4.
A comment above said that with a physical center Andrea would have more space to
operate and I agree with that, the Raptors should definitely try and find such a fit for
their team.
And I wanted to say that Chris Bosh is in my humble opinion a really overrated player.
Altro che Jurassic Park… Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 6:32 am
[...] Ora Andrea flirta con domande sulla sua carriera in costante crescita (mah), sul ruolo da primo violino e leader della franchigia (doppio mah) e sulla sua imminente partecipazione all’All Star Game (triplo mah). [...]
AREEEF ESMAIL Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 6:59 am
A starting 5 of Amir Johnson, Bargnani, Kleiza, Jack and Derozean is a fast, young, quick starting group. It will be fun but no playoffs but atleast we do not have to put up with a baby, premadona like Bosh..it was obvious he gave up last yr. Good riddens and as long as Kobe is around Miami will not win the Championships. I used to hate the Lakers but now they are my second favourite team only because they will meet Bosh in the finals
Raptor Sam Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 8:26 am
He sucks- that contract he got was a joke. He’s a homeless man’s Toni Kukoc. A joke he was the number 1 pick
Rap fan Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:08 am
You can’t teach toughness. And as every Raptor fan knows, Andrea is as soft as they come. Extremely weak mentally, and shuts down when he’s criticized or challenged to improve. When Jarrett Jack called out the team last year, the brunt of it was directed at Jay Triano and his kid glove treatment of Andrea as a major reason why the Raps could not improve.
There is no way that a guy with his character can be a core player. He’s too flawed - mentally and skill-wise. A complimentary piece at best.
LK Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:09 am
For Bargnani to reach his potential he needs to be shifted to the PF position, and the Raptors need to acquire a defensive minded centre who’ll guard the opposing team’s best big. Tyson Chandler would have been a big pickup for the Raps. I found that when CB4 was out, Andrea often found it hard to be the main focus of the offense. Let’s hope that’s not the case this season.
As it is, this team is not going to come close to making the playoffs. I think they can avoid the cellar of the Eastern Conference, but it won’t be easy. They really need to trade Jose, or that could cause a real awkward training camp to start the season (”Oh hi, Jose. Sorry about that whole trying to trade you thing. Meet your fellow point guards, Jarrett Jack and Leandro Barbosa…why don’t you go sit on that lovely bench.”)
Raptor Sam Said - I wouldn’t call Andrea a joke of a number one pick. Everyone knew Brandon Roy was the most talented guy in that draft, but people were concerned with his knee and that’s why he fell to number six. Other than him and maybe Rudy Gay, I don’t think any other of the top picks from that draft is better than AB (of course Rondo, but no one saw that coming).
Blog Basket caffè | Basket caffe il blog sul basket nba e internazionale. Ogni giorno notizie, aggiornamenti e commenti sul mondo del basket - Basket blog cafe. » Blog Archive » Andrea Bargnani a ruota libera Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:15 am
[...] della Nazionale Italiana. Vi riportiamo le risposte più interessanti rilasciate dal Mago, mentre qui potete leggere l’intera intervista in [...]
whynot Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:31 am
We should have drafted roy…
Jay Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:36 am
It’s hard to say Bargnani is soft, you can criticize all you want, though he is a big man, but why don’t you criticize someone like Shaq or Kendrick Perkins for lacking finesse and a smoother game? yes they’re tough but that’s their style, he’s not a center, he’s a power forward and Dirk is doing perfectly fine though it seems like these finesse or “soft” big men haven’t had much championship success…unless being the second option? hint hint*
Top Magic and NBA news: Friday, July 30 – Orlando Sentinel | Free NBA Videos Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 10:00 am
[...] ReportBosh refutes Colangelo claimsSportsnet.caIs Toronto NBA Worthy?Toronto Sports Media (blog)Hoops Hype (blog) -Bleacher Reportall 233 news [...]
garryj Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 11:31 am
I think someone should post a soft-all-stars, softest team of all time.
Bargnani at PF, Rasha Nesterovic at Center… hmmm can’t think straight i’m at work. It can’t be all euros though that’d be racist
MC_cHampsta Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Just want to let you all know that Bargnani is an excellent shot blocker…..of which he has gotten no credit for on this forum.
Ya he is soft, but he is going to have to play Center. Reggie Evans is the best physical player on the boards the Raps have…and he is not a center. Bargs can play both C and PF, and with a lack of size beyond that, the Raps have to pick up the tempo. I dunno about you all, but a Center who can stroke the 3 streeeeeeeeeetches that defense.
Think he gets himself All-Star consideration this year, up to him if he wants to actually win it.
de Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 2:38 pm
Why is Barney soft? Because he doesnt beat his chest when he scores? Because he cant guard Howard when hes playing with his back to the basket? (who can?) Because he is a Euro and we automatically label all Euros soft? How many times did you get see him get stuffed? He gets stripped of the ball sometimes cause he dsnt play low enough to the ground but I really dont see him getting pushed around too much. How many games did he miss due to injuries? (also to garryj…dont mistake demeanor to toughness) To me soft is crying when not being called for a foul for example (James anyone? now thats a soft player by my book), to me power dunk is not a sign of toughness. Barney never bitches when he dsnt get called and he is one of the players that get the most strange calls in the league. Hes a special player, 7 footer that can hit threes, with skills of a guard, quickness of a forward. All he needs to work on is his game with his back to the basket and perhaps grab a few more rebounds. Bosh was soft! How many times did he get stuffed on his way to the basket at the end of the game? Everytime pretty much?
JS Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
I agree with the above
AB stretching that D, will enhance the performance of Demar,Weems and Amir Johnson, who all share the ability to make plays between the gaps on the court.
However, AB needs to play the 4 if he has any chance at the All-star game. I can’t stress this enough, B.C brought in AB expecting him to play along with Bosh which I thought was pretty stupid, knowing he had the talent to be a better player than Dirk at the 4. Maybe it’s time to finally make use of our talent drafted at No.1; however that being said,
Just like how Rap Fan mentioned AB is not the best piece to build around.
We don’t see the league in the same way like how the Celtics see it.
The Celts are focused mentally every game and their chemistry and toughness shows it.
Raps won’t have that unless we get a player who has swag and talent like Vince Carter.
leo Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
Bargs has the potential and without Bosh’s minutes and touches he will get the ball a lot more. On the other hand Bargs has never really been double teamed which means…turnovers and lower shooting percentage. I hope he proves this wrong. What I want to know is what Bargs is doing to imnprove his strength and quickness on defense in the off season.
Top Magic and NBA news: Friday, July 30 | Outdoor sports, camping, tenis, golf Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
[...] Andrea Bargnani: “I don’t feel like I’ve arrived,” HoopsHype.com, Jorge Sierra The Buzz: In this interview, Bargnani addresses Bosh’s departure, [...]
wesley Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
Break out year. Watch an see. We kno Bosh is no franchise player, but just maybe bargs can be.
Huge Skilo Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
Bargnani is a natural 4 playing out of position because the Raptors weren’t smart enoughto draft Roy (wonder if Ru Paul would still be around if he had :). He may not be soft but is definitely one of the worse ‘help’ defenders on any continent. He will improve in the fantasy sense (stats) but only time will tell if he will ever be ‘the man’.
Raptors Digest » Blog Archive » The Raptors locker room knew Bosh ‘checked out’ as well Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 9:35 pm
[...] out’, possibly in an attempt to keep himself healthy for his new team; Raptors forward/center Andrea Bargnani echoed the same sentiments. “I wasn’t surprised. His contract was finished and the feeling was that he was going to leave. [...]
BallinTO Said,
July 30, 2010 @ 10:16 pm
http://tdotsports1.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/chris-bosh-different/
A very solid read….check it!
giulio Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 5:33 am
Yao, Shaq and Howard dominated him???? Amico, tape “raptor torrents” and see the games against them, and then you can talk, because you didn’t. I remember people running away when he dribbles to the basket, and about 2 blocks for game, for the guy “he is the worst help defender”.
When a guy who didn’t play C but FP for alle the rest of his career is hard to cover the basket, and remember that he is a SF for his talent and a C for his body, now whit Amir and Davis (both “focused” under the rim) the bigs of the raptors will have more balance, last. Bye.
ballerOA Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
The Raptors need to push the ball more. Jose needs to be less afraid of turning it over and take some chances. With Weems and Demar on the wings we have potential to be killer on the break. Bargnani can hit trailer 3s in that system and our wing players could crash the boards. The rebounds would probably be long ones so i see us having some chance on the offensive glass its really a toss up. Bargnani wont see any major improvements except in his scoring. Jose and dre can become the Nash Nowitzki combo.
Doooch Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
Barny has really improved his low post toughness the past 2 years.
He is a soft rebounder but not a soft low post player.
His shot blocking has improved as well.
Bosh on the other hand is a soft low post defender but a good rebounder.
Barny’s contract is reasonable, and he genuinely likes Toronto.
Here’s hoping for a great season!
georgej Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Hey, he is no Darko for sure. It’s not like that was a deep draft after all, but the Raps passed on Aldridge and Roy to get this guy when they already had Bosh. Makes you wonder about the brain trust there and I know it was already BC. I am guessing he must be selling tickets or tables at local italian restaurants or something. He plays decent ball, but not all star and not franchise type of player and definitely not #1 pick worthy.
iliveball Said,
July 31, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
everybody that criticizes andrea will eat their words…hes a finesse player as is dirk the only diff is dirk has years of experience….andreas ceiling is actually higher than dirk because he can handle the ball and hes so much more athetic…there are a handful of 24 yr olds in the league that has his skill set and can do what he does….he just needs like everybody said a legit big man to play beside and to develop a patented move like how dirk has his post up turn around and guarantee he will avg 25…hes a better man to man defender than bosh plus hes bigger and faster…hes just lacking the experience leave the guy alone and give him a chance to develop hes 24 years old, bosh is 26 i guarantee u in 2 yrs as the franchise leader he will be putting up chris bosh numbers with WAY BETTER DEFENSE and we will be winning
Pavan S Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 2:31 am
when you have a 7 footer like him your going to lose some things on rebounding but he does something that is of value, spreads the floor, brings the guy who guards him out, stretches the floor which allows his teammates to go to work, this is what makes him far more important than a plotting big
maybe people in the states should watch him play, he is far from a bust, and is one of the most talented players in the league, and a top 5 player in his draft class( Rondo,BRoy,Gay,Alderidge and Bargnani)
the reason why his scoring isn’t as high as others is because is a unselfish player who plays team ball,the guy is a ice cold shooter that doesn’t get phased easily, calm under pressure
his stats next year will probably be in 20 pts, 7 or 8rbs, 1.5 blks, almost good enough to make him allstar which depends on the overall record of the team
BallinTO Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 9:46 am
http://tdotsports1.wordpress.com/
I am excited for ABs breakout year, he averaged more blocks than CB4 and has shown growth each season. Plus he is a EURO dogg so he won’t bolt due to the lack of American culture.
fernfig Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
AB7 will be an Allstar! and T.O Raps will surprise!
Andrea Bargnani’s Take On Chris Bosh’s Departure | Sports News and Information Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
[...] an interview with HoopsHype, Bargnani had a lot of interesting things to say. For instance: “What was your reaction when [...]
SLAM ONLINE | » Andrea Bargnani’s Take On Chris Bosh’s Departure Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 8:12 pm
[...] an interview with HoopsHype, Bargnani had a lot of interesting things to say. For instance: “What was your reaction when [...]
Andrea Bargnani’s Take On Chris Bosh’s Departure Said,
August 1, 2010 @ 11:05 pm
[...] an interview with HoopsHype, Bargnani had a lot of interesting things to say. For instance: “What was your reaction when [...]
alessio Said,
August 2, 2010 @ 6:59 pm
his problem was bosh,CB4 would have been a problem for roy in his rookie season as well…bosh was used to shoot 70% of raptors trys..
i always lough when i read “he’s not a good rebounder”…do u follow the matches?dont u see he plays very far from the basket,especially on offense plays because of triano?!he is clearely not a center,but he ll play that this season (cuz jay want him at C) and im preatty ready to bet he ll grab about 8 rbs, scoring 20 or more and blocking close to 2 per game…we are talking about a 25 years ols 7 footer who can dribble a guard…so relax and enjoy bargs improvement…
in regard of the all star stuff i just belive he has more chances to get it playing C than PW,he’s a special C cuz of skills(skills impossible to find in another C in the whole league)
Mikan Drill – 3 August 2010 || 3manweave.com Said,
August 2, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
[...] says he doesn’t feel like he’s at 100% yet. That’s awesome for Raptor [...]
giulio Said,
August 3, 2010 @ 3:29 am
Make the all star team is a dream for all the kids of the world, don’t you think that an italian born kid can have this kind of dream? He never said that he is an all star, he said that is his goal for his career now, and i think that is a good answer in an interview given by an european player
and is reasonable too, he is growing every season, just look at his stats, 13 ppg. 15, 18, this year will probably be about 20 or more, so his dream is not so far. It’s true that he lacks “hunger” for rebounds, but if it wasn’t so we were talking about one of the best ballers on the planet, specially if he starts to use his body has he can : 7 footer, very strong legs, long arms, strong and quick hands, speed, jumping ability, people think that he is soft, i don’t think a player who dunks in the face of defenders is soft, i think he has lack of attention, that is not softness, i want to make an exemple, Amare Stoudemire is a beast, he dunks everything and is the most explosive big of the league along with Howard, but why he doesn’t a defensive stop, also if you pay him, and they do? Because is not a defender, so he is a beast of the offense and a normal player on defense, and (andrea is not on his lever, but he doesn’t take 20 millions for season…) you the only way to improve is to work on him just mentally, same with andrea, if you give him 30 shoots he does 40 points, and if this is not the part he has to improve the raptors have to work on his attention , that must be at 100% if they want him to be their superstar. The potential is here and he works hard to improve, this year will be crucial for him and very interesting for us.
Isaiah James Said,
August 3, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Bargnani … he’s in the NBA???
NK1 Said,
August 3, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
I got love 4 AB but if the Raps would’ve taken the rookie of the year #1, damn. it would’ve changed everything. they were lacking perimeter scoring and ROY & BOSH would’ve been a nice tandem.
although, CB4 and Bargnani were the highest scoring center, power forward combo in the league for a while just not consistently… and now that’s over. we’ll see what Andrea is made of this season.
Euraptors Said,
August 4, 2010 @ 4:59 pm
Andrea Bargnani: “I don’t feel like I’ve arrived…”
No kidding.
BallinTO Said,
August 4, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
http://tdotsports1.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/raptors-biggest-need/
Check this out, what the Raps really need?
Should we continue to draft best available or go the EURO route as they are safer (they don’t want to bolt at first opp).
Baljit Said,
August 5, 2010 @ 6:47 am
It’s going to be a long season when you counting on this guy to be you focal point average player with no heart….number 2 option last year how did that work out?
B-Ball Knowledge Said,
August 5, 2010 @ 11:48 am
Go the “Euro route”?…..LOL! Sure, why not. If the name of the game is just having a team in the NBA, then let’s do it. But if you’re looking to WIN in the National Basketball Association, then why would anyone think the “EURO route” is the way to go?
How many Europeans were in the NBA finals last year? And the year before that? And the year before that one?
Secure a GM with a vision, and then we can talk direction. Right now, this mish-mash of players in the TDot will do nothing more than entertain 2 out of every 5 games!
B-Ball Knowledge Said,
August 5, 2010 @ 11:52 am
Toronto is different than every other city in the NBA, but so is New York, and you don’t see players scrambbling to play there now do you?
Every player wants to know the orgainzation is about winning. With the Teacher’s Pension Fund owning the Raptors, winning is not top priority. Add to that the differences between living in a cold climate, during a winter sport, and you’ve got yourself a less desireable place to live and play.
Get a VISION, and make sure it has something to do with WINNING!
Matt Maurice Said,
August 5, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
I can’t stand haters. “This season is a make or break..” WRONG! This will be the first year without Bosh, he will have some ups and downs, then next two years are vital, you’ll find out what you truely have in 2 seasons from this point. News flash, Bargnani is a solid post defender, just a poor help defender - big difference. Give that time and he’ll see. Don’t forget he was the season leader last year in Blocks for our team. He also generally covered the other teams best big because of Bosh’s poor man defense. Although Bosh was a better help defender. Can Bargs bring us to the promise land by himself? Absolutely Not. He needs help, just like everyone else out there. One more thing, you can’t compare Dirk to Bargs, Dirk became the go to guy early in his career - Bargs just now, finally has his chance to be the guy! I doubt it will happen this year, but I think there is a true chance of seeing Bargs average 22 and 8. To me that is not a failed 1st overall. Peace.
Mario Said,
August 10, 2010 @ 3:07 am
How can one call Andrea a “failed 1st”…….
He’s a good player, just need to do the next step…..
To me “failed 1st” or…flops…are Kwame Brown, Olowokandi, not Bargnani…come on !!!!!!!!
Vai Andrea, non ti fermare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KING PIN Said,
August 22, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
Well with all he said about getting better every year he needs to bring it together this year. there’s no holding back there’s He now becomes the face of the franchise . it’s put up or shut up. with bosh leaving he’s the next one to take over the team. being a number one pick and all. which we should of gone with (Brandon Roy) cause we have lacked a 2/3 gaurd ever since Vince QUITER and T-MAC left, with nothing in return. I Just hope that we don’t become the soft EURO team of the NBA we need ball players and we need someone to start playing basketball on this side of the boarder.IT’S PUT UP OR SHUT TIME BIG MAN