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Benis007 · 10-04-2006, 08:50 AM

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists...49371-sun.html

Quote:

WATERLOO -- Raptors rookie Andrea Bargnani still has a lot to learn about life in the NBA, but he's obviously a quick read.

A few minutes into an interview with about a dozen of his new media buddies yesterday, Bargnani, who already seems less than thrilled with media scrums, was asked if he felt that he has a lot to prove this season -- a legitimate question given that he was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, and the first European so honoured.

"No," he snapped, before turning and walking away -- just like a guy who has been around the NBA for years.

Everyone had a good laugh about that, except Bargnani, who better get used to being under the microscope this season because, whether he likes it not, he's constantly going to be compared with all the guys who were selected behind him.

All the other guys the Raptors could have taken.

And when the microscope is out, it often burns, and Bargnani won't be the only one feeling the heat.

So too will head coach Sam Mitchell. He didn't draft Bargnani, GM Bryan Colangelo did, and Colangelo certainly will expect Mitchell to press the right buttons in terms of Bargnani's development. Colangelo's reputation as one of the best talent evaluators in the NBA is at stake.

**ballocks** · 10-04-2006, 10:28 AM

horrid. i'm not sure when brian became one of the "best talent evaluators in the nba". this is sort of what i've been talking about- the reputation he brought, the decisions he was making and the ignorance of the media didn't cause any problems initially, but i was thinking more about the long-term: when those would just become seeds, and would ultimately spring countless mistruths in the minds of the people and media. well, this here is one example. it's just thrown in there, granted, but it has more of an effect than that, imo, and i see it as nothing short of dangerous.

these guys (our mediatypes) have to get on the ball. this is not fair to the fans, the players or the organization. it might seem like nothing now but just wait... just wait. the fact that andrea is also being cast (slowly) as the bad guy for not offering them what they want from a sports personality is pathetic. the ugly (not all) segments of the media are constantly in denial, constantly in defense of what they do, but little do they realize that it's a story like this that justifies those complaints.

he is not a villain because he doesn't want to talk to you.

don't make him out to be a villain or a worse player because he doesn't want to talk to you. they have nothing to do with one another. deal with it.

the fans don't care whether he talks to you- and you serve the wants and needs of the fans.

the fans care about the basketball. it is your responsibility to not jeopardize the basketball in the name of your own personality complexes.

keep it straight. if someone (in this case andrea) calls you out for the cheese in your profession, deal with it. the longer you remain in denial, the worse it is not only for you, but also the team and the people who support all of these groups: the fans.

deal with it.

peace

dtron · 10-04-2006, 10:28 AM

iam sure how it was described was exactly how it went down, its certainly not like toronto reporters and writers to exagerrate its own players in a negative way.

billfindlay10 · 10-04-2006, 10:43 AM

I would walk away as well if I had been asked the same question for the 10,000th time in a few month period.

shookem · 10-04-2006, 10:43 AM

You gotta write something. I'm sure the beat writers would love to write something good about Andrea but a lot is based around what they have access to.

Everyone was wondering why there weren't many articles about Andrea this summer, maybe we just found out why.

shookem · 10-04-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfindlay10

I would walk away as well if I had been asked the same question for the 10,000th time in a few month period.

Unfortunatly these guys get paid very well to play a game, so I'm not about to feel bad if they have to repeat themselves.

billfindlay10 · 10-04-2006, 10:48 AM

The media also gets paid to do a job....how about an original question can can produce a better answer.

shookem · 10-04-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfindlay10

The media also gets paid to do a job....how about an original question can can produce a better answer.

Have you ever been in a media scrum?

You literally get two seconds and 10 other people are all talking at the same time. Plently of questions get asked and you can always say, "I've already answered that, next question"

And what does he mean he doesn't think he has something to prove, he certainly does.

**speedythief** · 10-04-2006, 11:42 AM

I don't know why every year we need to be reminded that in the absence of winning and success, there is blame and finger-pointing.

Gee, I wonder who does that!

We're already being set up for future slams. If things go well, they will call our successes "pleasant surprises!" or "Cinderella stories!" If they don't, they'll get the torches and pitchforks out. They aren't even dusty from last time.

Why is it that these rag writers insist on making their little articles part of a huge timeline? Like, every little note from day to day is just one in a symphony of stories from a decade ago going well into the future, and everything is trends and patterns and history repeated.

It's ****ing basketball.

cv3bandwagon · 10-04-2006, 08:09 PM

If these guys in the media want to try to make it seem as if he has a bad attitude then they can go right ahead. He plays hard and practices hard and that's the attitude that I looks for in a basketball player.

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