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**Talkhard** · 04-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

I've been a Bargnani proponent for the last couple of months. I think the fact that he's nearly as young as prep player and, at the same time, performing at a high level in the second-best league in the world makes him the player with the most upside.

As I said in another thread, the closest comparison I can think of is a better version of Toni Kukoc: a big man who can handle the ball well, pass extremely well, rebound, drive to the hoop and shoot the ball. The reason I feel that he'll be better than Kukoc is that he has the skills and mentality to be a first option type of scorer, as Kukoc never was.

His ceiling, to me, is a 24-25 PPG scorer who can get a triple-double in any given game.

Dang! If you're right, we need to grab this guy. Our draft pick this year is very important. We can't afford to blow this one.

Would Bargnani be the first guy from Italy to make it in the NBA? Anyone know?

Masbee · 04-26-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italianBBlover

100% agree

What is the buzz on Bargnani in Italy?

Are they super excited about his potential?

Is he seen turning into the best Italian basketball player ever?

Is he Italy's Dirk, Pao or Yao - a breakthrough player, far better than all before?

Or not?

**Dan** · 04-26-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italianBBlover

About Euroleague(s) and scoring: as said others, the offense of the euro teams is more balanced.
Usually we have a guy with 18 points, 2 others with 14-15 points, 3 with 8-10 points and so, rarely a guy with 35 points and then the others with 7-9 points ...

Look the Suns and you have a very good NBA example (D'Antoni ...).

I'm not sure if I'd be trumpetting out Phoenix as an example. Their leading scorer last year was 26 ppg. And with the new (relatively unknown) players that are on their now, are scoring a lot better than they ever have.

Doesn't mean they will elsewhere.

plus, phoenix's problem isn't their ability to score..but their ability to *defend*.

Samuel · 04-26-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masbee

Is he seen turning into the best Italian basketball player ever?

"The three Italian players in NBA history--Hank Biasatti for the Toronto Huskies in 1946-47, and Vincenzo Esposito of the Toronto Raptors and Stefano Rusconi of the Phoenix Suns in 1995-96--have totaled 130 career points. Esposito accounts for 116 of them." Source

**Talkhard** · 04-26-2006, 10:14 AM

Thanks, Samuel. I guess that means Bargnani WOULD be the first NBA player from Italy.

Stepping Razor · 04-26-2006, 10:19 AM

I know Ginobili is Argentinian, but is he ethnically Italian? (I wonder, based only on his Italian-sounding name, and the fact that there's a big Italian community in Argentina.)

Kinda funny, if he is... the two best "Italian" players in the NBA would then be an Argentine and Kobe Bryant.

I think it's safe to say Bargnani would be the first "real" Italian star in the league.

How awesome would it be to see thousands of Italian kids running around in Portland jerseys...

Stepping Razor

**crandc** · 04-26-2006, 10:29 AM

Yes, Ginobili is ethnic Italian. He is followed by media/fans in both Argentina and in Italy. There is quite a large Italian community in Argentina (Diana Taurasi being one).

Stepping Razor · 04-26-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crandc

Yes, Ginobili is ethnic Italian. He is followed by media/fans in both Argentina and in Italy. There is quite a large Italian community in Argentina (Diana Taurasi being one).

Thanks, crandc, that's what I thought I had heard (and also suspected based on ItalianBBLover's avatar...)

The more I think about it, the more I love the idea of the Blazers becoming Italy's favorite team if they nab Bargnani.

I had no idea about Taurasi. Did she come to the states for the first time to play college ball, or did she grow up here?

Stepping Razor

Blazer Ringbearer · 04-26-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMiLE

not being defensive, it just seems that for all the flack people give Zagsfan for defending Morrison and his competition, it's rather funny to hear people coming up with all sorts of examples of how Bargani's stats are much more "real", despite being as flawed as his rationale is.

Maybe I missed something or am less cynical - but I didn't read people's raving as a direct slight to Morrison and his level of competition.

I really think people are just excited about one of many prospects, and I think there is real merit to the Euroleague being one of the world's top leagues with a very different style of play.

That said, if Bargnani was as good as Nowitski or Gasol in their prime, he would obviously be scoring more but I don't think that is anyone's assertion. He's a good young player with good potential and I can see why people argue that he could possibly achieve that level of play someday.

Really, who knows? It's all good fun...

Utherhimo · 04-26-2006, 11:12 AM

Toxic and ItalianBBlover who are your favorite teams?

interesting that Danoti (italian? italianamerican?) coached Bargnani's team....most interesting.

I want Bargnani with all this aldridge talk makes me wonder if it just a smoke screen for getting Bargnani, there seems to be a lot of scouts watching him threw out the year not just now. Come on Nash and CO. DRAFT Bargnani!

BB and TOXIC what team do you think he will be best on and fit most with are there any other players that you have seen that will be in the draft like:

Oleksiy Pecherov 6-10 232 PF Ukr. 1985
Saer Sene 7-0 235 C Sen. 1986
Marcus Vinicius 6-9 220 SF Brazil 1984
Thabo Sefolosha 6-6 213 SG Switz. 1984
Damir Markota 6-10 225 SF Cro.1985
Sun Yue 6-9 205 SG China 1985
Mirza Teletovic 6-8 235 PF Bos. 1985
Lior Eliahu 6-9 225 PF/SF Israel 1985

Toxicity · 04-26-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utherhimo

Toxic and ItalianBBlover who are your favorite teams?

I haven't a favourite NBA team right now (i'll have after the draft), i just like to see all NBA games broadcasted here... but if i had to choose i'd say Phoenix for coach D'Antoni and his spectacular game and San Antonio for Ginobili (who played very well some years here in Italy)... i like also Dallas for Dirk and Memphis for Pau...

Quote:

interesting that Danoti (italian? italianamerican?) coached Bargnani's team....most interesting.

D'Antoni (born in United States but a dual citizen of the US and Italy) played in the great Philips Milano (one of the greatest teams in history of Europe) and also for Italian NT... i like his style!

Quote:

I want Bargnani with all this aldridge talk makes me wonder if it just a smoke screen for getting Bargnani, there seems to be a lot of scouts watching him threw out the year not just now. Come on Nash and CO. DRAFT Bargnani!

BB and TOXIC what team do you think he will be best on and fit most with are there any other players that you have seen that will be in the draft like:

Oleksiy Pecherov 6-10 232 PF Ukr. 1985
Saer Sene 7-0 235 C Sen. 1986
Marcus Vinicius 6-9 220 SF Brazil 1984
Thabo Sefolosha 6-6 213 SG Switz. 1984
Damir Markota 6-10 225 SF Cro.1985
Sun Yue 6-9 205 SG China 1985
Mirza Teletovic 6-8 235 PF Bos. 1985
Lior Eliahu 6-9 225 PF/SF Israel 1985

In Italy we're all excited about the (supposedly bright) future of Andrea. It's not so important the team which will draft him, it's important the system, the coach and the PT he'll have. Beyond this, i don't think Portland is the best choice if Randolph doesn't leave (at the same time Toronto wouldn't be right if they keep Bosh and Villanueva)... Chicago would be a nice team because they lack an offensive PF complementary to Chandler. Also Charlotte and Atlanta could be good places... basically any team that lacks an offensive oriented forward!

I only hope Andrea won't go to NY Knicks... i don't think that city and system (and coach, and pressure, etc) is good for him.

About other prospects you've mentioned i know well Marcus Vinicius and Thabo Sefolosha, nice players with good upside (i like the swiss more)... i've heard something good about Pecherov and i've seen a couple of Markota games (both big men with offensive skills similar to Bargnani) and he's not bad...

Fork · 04-26-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMiLE

not being defensive, it just seems that for all the flack people give Zagsfan for defending Morrison and his competition, it's rather funny to hear people coming up with all sorts of examples of how Bargani's stats are much more "real", despite being as flawed as his rationale is.

The flack zagsfan got was not at all due to his admiration for Morrison, it was for telling people they didn't know anything about basketball or were racist if they didn't think Morrison was the best prospect in the upcoming draft.

italianBBlover · 04-26-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talkhard

Would Bargnani be the first guy from Italy to make it in the NBA? Anyone know?

As Samuel said, we had in NBA 2 "pure" italians: SG Vincenzo Esposito from Naples did something with the Raptors, while center Rusconi from Treviso had just 6 games with Suns, both back in 1995-96.

Then we had a couple of italo-american back in the '70s.

Ginobili and Nocioni are both argentinian-italian (and we love above all Manu because he played 4 years here), while last but tot least Kobe grew and started to play basketball here in Italy.

Ciao

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