Andrea Bargnani 08-09 MIX by LONGER

Andrea Bargnani, nicknamed "Il Mago" (translated to "The Magician"), (born 26 October 1985 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian professional basketball player with the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. He was selected first overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. He is a power forward/centre standing at 213 cm (7 ft 0 in) and weighing 113.4 kg (250 lbs).[1] Prior to his NBA career, Bargnani played for Benetton Treviso in the Italian Lega A and the elite Euroleague.
200809 campaign

However, Toronto were not about to give up on Bargnani yet and committed the entire summer coaching him to become a more effective interior player, forcing him to drive to the basket more and settle less for jump shots. The arrival of six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal also meant that Bargnani was likely to come off the bench in most games, with Bosh and O'Neal forming the starting frontcourt. During the summer he worked hard on his body, putting up some more weight (adding some 15 pounds of muscle); this work showed his effects in the first games of the regular campaign, when the Italian was more willing to rebound in traffic and drive to the basket.[18] He also seemed to rediscover his shooting stroke, had better shot selection and became a consistent shot-blocker, and he was soon moved to the starting line-up as small forward.[18]

On 21 November 2008, Bargnani recorded a career-high 29 points, as well as 10 rebounds in an overtime loss against New Jersey.[19] After some stumbles in December, he hit good form in January, averaging 21.2 points and 6.7 rebounds over a 15-game stretch as he became the starting centre in place for the injured O'Neal,[20] recording a career-high 31 points against Chicago in the process.[21] O'Neal was then traded to Miami during the All-Star break,[22] allowing the Italian to regain his starting spot for the rest of the season. He averaged 19.8 and 17.9 points per game for January and February respectively,[23] even as Toronto went on several losing streaks and fell out of the playoffs race.

Category:

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• Andrea
• Bargnani
• Toronto
• Raptors
• NBA
• MIX
• LONGER
• longer01
• 2008
• 2009
• highlights
• Benetton
• Treviso

[grasd2]

@DannyLeigh9 oh wow man, 5 rebounds a game for a 7 footer? that's unbelievable! bargnani is a soft pussy faggot and he makes dirk look like the toughest player in the league. bargnani will never average 7 rebounds a game because he's a fucking pussy.

[IIILuDaCrIsIII]

What's the point of having a three pt shooting centre if he can't play centre?  He's the worlds tallest 2 guard.

[BoxCarBoy12]

He's pretty quick and mobile for a 7 footer... However, given his skill set he'd be better if he were at least four inches shorter.

[nnnray]

@IIILuDaCrIsIII I still think that he could play the 3. Before he was told to bulk up to play center he was quite fast

[datresspasser]

@nnnray right. Just because you are tall they assume you were meant to play center. He is a 2 guard but had a center's body. Averadges more than any of those who talk about him anyway

[nnnray]

i think we're getting caught up on what we want bargnani to be and what he is. Bargs is a finesse player. That's all there is. He's not the guy who will go bang down low and block 3 shots a game. I think most fans look at traditional centers (dwight, noah, bogut) and assume that since he is tall he must be like them. In reality they're completely different players. It'd be nice for him to be a defensive presence. It'd also be nice if dwight howard had a jumpshot.

[grasd2]

@Israfvel It's not what I want, I don't give a shit if Bargnani is a pussy too afraid to grab rebounds. His coaches probably have a problem with it though and it's definitely indicative of his worth to a basketball team.

[Israfvel]

@saxed

I think at this point in time we need to accept that Andrea here won't develop into a capable center, or that he will develop into the next Dirk Nowitzki just because he plays the same face-up game as the German. The Raptors should get themselves a good-enough defensive center -- Dwight Howard would be nice -- then reposition Andrea as a combo forward for him to do his scoring undisturbed.

[Israfvel]

@itzbrendonguys

Dirk Nowitzki is a great, great player. -_-

[Israfvel]

@HoopsAndFastCars4Eva

He doesn't position well for rebounds, is all. He's like Dirk Nowitzki, if with lower IQ. A supporting player who got pushed into the main role due to Bosh leaving for Miami and due to injuries.

Raptors should get a good center soon so he can be a combo forward instead - he's fast enough for the role, and can shoot outside shots with consistency.

Oh, and a better coach.

[Israfvel]

@grasd2

Oh Lord. Dissing off finesse players just because they don't do what you want.

[samtheman7975]

@blazers712 "thanks for durant"- OKC Fan

"thanks for jordan"- Bulls Fan