Is Andrea Bargnani A Bust?

Watching Kwame Brown take the reigns at the center spot in LA while Andrew Bynum is down got me thinking: I am absolutely tired of hearing the number 1 pick in ‘06 is a bust.

Andrea Bargnani’s numbers are down from last season, his rookie year, while many expected him to have a breakout campaign. Watching those offensive skills he exhibited for a good stretch of the regular season sent some serious shivers down the spines of fans.

Was that a flash in the pan? Are we talking about a Michael Olowokandi or Joe Smith here? Not even close. Bargs has not regressed. His goods are still very evident at the offensive end. So, why hasn’t he taken off like people predicted? There are many, many reasons for that.

Bargnani is starting at center for the first time in his life, not his NBA career, in his life. He was a small forward for much of his youth and has played the last few years as a power forward. It’s not kosher to compare him to Brandon Roy, the stud taken in the same draft that has been handling the ball for all of his career. Bargnani is playing at a new position in a much different style of game. He hasn’t adapted well to the less physical style of the NBA. It takes a lot more for a big to foul a player in Europe and Bargnani has been plagued by committing touch calls while guarding highly athletic fours and fives (the likes of which he’s never seen before).

While backing up Rasho Nesterovic last season, Bargnani had the luxury of playing against team’s second units. Il Mago’s minutes are virtually the same as last year, but that time was spent playing against guys he could easily hang with. He started only 2 games in ‘06-’07 and his numbers are down minimally: 11.6 vs 9.4 PTS, .427 vs .390 FG%, and half a board. That is all while playing against better players.

As for the rebounding criticisms, Il Mago does not have that knack of getting after it on the boards. It’s not in him at this point but it is something that can be taught. He’s just never had to do it the way he’s needed to on this team. His numbers in Europe reveal he wasn’t much of a glass cleaner there either. Jorge Garbajosa’s absence at the small forward spot magnifies Bargnani’s inability to rebound the ball, especially considering Chris Bosh’s slow start. Yes, Jorge Garbajose is the solver of all problems.

Being taken out of the starting 5 can be a difficult transition for any player, and it was especially hard on Bargnani. He was yanked after only 5 games at the start of the season and has been playing in various roles since. Bargs was reinserted with the top dogs in late December but he’s still feeling out his situation. He’s always been a star on his team and has had to adapt to being less of a focal point. Bargnani’s only 22 years old and add in the fact he missed some time with knee trouble, and you can see there are a ton of variables to consider.

I’m not trying to make the point that Bargnani will be a superstar in this league, but it is way too early to judge him now, considering all he is going through. He has the fire to learn and the desire to be a superstar. A better question to ask is, was he the right player to draft for this team? Chris Bosh is the centerpiece of Toronto and he’s always been an average rebounder and defender. He does some nice things to effect the game inside, on both ends, but Bargs might not be tough enough to really compliment CB4.

If GM Bryan Colangelo drafted the Italian with the hopes the Raptors would outscore teams, a la those Phoenix Suns he built, then that would could be a more viable option once Bargnani becomes a little more competent. With an eye towards the future, Colangelo made these additions over two years: T.J. Ford, Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, Bargnani, Juan Dixon, Fred Jones, etc. These are athletic players that can score. Bargnani might very well be a huge part of the team in the future, but it makes sense he isn’t right now.

I Do Know What You’re Saying

Dwight Howard — just prior to “walkin’ it out” — has a pretty good idea why the States lost to Greece:

“Me and CB didn’t get in the games that much, know what I’m saying? And in order to win you got to have two bigs in the game, you know what I’m saying? You can’t do it with the little folks all the time.”

Makes sense. Now someone make DJ Jelly Team USA’s coach …

DJ Jelly with Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard in Tokyo Japan [YouTube]

Chris Bosh On ESPN Radio

Earlier today, Chris Bosh dropped by ESPN Radio to share his thoughts on Team USA and the World Basketball Championships.

I felt like putting my Grade 9 typing skills to the test — the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog — so here’s a little taste for ya. I hope this is illegal:

Bosh on practicing with LeBron, D-Wade, Carmelo, etc:

“Well you know it is real competitive. Everybody is trying to get better. We’re trying to make the team better. We know we have to do that just through hard work. So you know, we have the talent level where I mean practice can just be unbelievable and everybody can get better at the same time.”

Bosh on Team USA being pegged as a bit of an underdog:

“I watched Spain and Argentina play on TV last night and it was kind of an interesting feeling. … When it first started we had been the dominate basketball team, but I was looking at it feeling like an underdog. And you know that’s a good feeling because we can play with no pressure. Not play relaxed, but like, really get into them and really show people that we take this seriously.”

Bosh on the team’s overall chemistry:

“We knew we had to put the egos to the side, especially for this trip. I don’t know if it was tough for some guys, but we’ve been together for a month now and I think everybody has pretty much learned their roles during the games — knowing their limits, what they can and can’t do. Everybody just accepts it because we haven’t lost a game — we’ve had some close calls — but thru team play we’ve put it together. We just put wins together. That’s all we want to do is win.”

Bosh on what he’s eating:

“We have chefs here. And I’m actually tired of burgers and fries; I probably won’t touch another burger or fry, or a plate of pasta until I get back. I like food from different countries. I like Japanese food pretty much; I like Chinese food. Everywhere we’ve been I’ve pretty much experienced the culture and experienced the food.”

Bosh on Team USA’s semifinal opponent Greece:

“Like any other international team, they move the ball well. They have some good inside play. Their front court is very good inside; they have guys that can score. We know that we have to pretty much pressure these guys. … It’s kind of like other teams respect them too much. And they’re not really getting into them.”

Bosh on Team USA’s intimidating defense:

“I think in the past USA was trying to intimidate people on offense. If they just throw a zone out there, and we’re not ready for it, then it’s problems for us. … Before we left the States I asked Clyde Drexler what helped them the most back in ’92 and he pretty much said, ‘We played defense first, and after we got stops, then we ran. We scored before they could set up their defense.’ So we try to take some of that with us because it is true, if we get stops, and we just run before they can set it up, we’re better off.”

Some solid points all around … especially for a prehistoric animal.

(Note: I’m sorry, but am I the only one who DOESN’T think Chris Bosh looks like a raptor? Can somebody please explain this?)

Chris Bosh on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” Show [ESPN Radio]

Is Andrea Bargnani A Bust?

I Do Know What You’re Saying

Chris Bosh On ESPN Radio

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