Bargnani Is Sweet After Sixteen http://raptortalk.com/2009/01/29/bargnani-is-sweet-after-sixteen.aspx By RaptorTalk 1/29/2009 10:18 PM After sixteen games as the Raptors starting center, Andrea Bargnani sure looks sweet. The seven foot Italian is finally showing Raptor fans the full package we expected when the Big Rook was drafted three years ago. It was obvious he had a remarkable skillset for a legit big man. Just watching him in early pregame warmups convinced me of his raw talent back in year one. Andrea possessed great offensive skills which are difficult to teach. On the other hand, a good coach can teach improved defence and rebounding. The issue in my mind wasn't about physical talent - it was all about whether the light bulb would go on. Seems that it finally has! The game is coming together for him. Gone are the deer in the headlight looks. Gone are the plays without hustle or determination. Something has clicked mentally and now his true underlying talent is taking over. A former Canadian college player told me last week that he was convinced in December that Bargnani's next gig would be back in the Euroleague. Then the overnight transformation occured. Now, he said, "Andrea gets it and the game is playing out in front of him in slow motion." For the record, Andrea's numbers since O'Neal's injury are: 21.2 points per game 6.7 rebounds per game 1.0 block per game 49% FG percentage 50% from beyond the arc 81% from the line Raptor fans needed patience Now, I've long maintained we needed patience with Il Mago for a number of reasons. The adjustment from Italy to the NBA is not an easy jump for a youngster. Andrea had adnoid problems with left him ill much of last season and he had his appendix surgery, too. Also, Sam Mitchell may have been the worst coach to coax the best out of Bargnani. Andrea needed time to develop the mental toughness, court awareness, determination and confidence that is necessary for him to succeed in the NBA. I don't think Sam had the patience. Look, now there's no turning back for Andrea. The genie is out of the bottle. Its time for Raptor fans to sit back and enjoy Bargnani's development. Is he a complete player now? No way. But, give him another year or two and Bryan Colangelo could have that highly skilled big man on his team that he envisioned back on draft day. By the way, hats off to Jay Triano. I think Jay's ability to understand the mindset of a young European like Andrea helped accelerate his development. That's in sharp contrast to Sam's coaching style which held the kid back and damaged his confidence. I wrote about this last year and I still believe it to be true. The fact that Andrea's newfound confidence and relaxed style of play occured so soon after Smitch's dismissal is not a coincidence. The skeptics Oh yes. Let's not forget all the wannabe GM's out there who were convinced that Bustnani was his name. You know, the guys who phoned the FAN and littered message boards with Bargs bashing? Stats and history told these cynics that Andrea was no better than an 11/4 bust. Hmmm? Seems the skeptics don't have the massive basketball IQ they thought they had. Its really quite hilarious when you think of all the supposed experts who hammered Bargnani. Where are they now? As a goodwill gesture, RaptorTalk is pleased to present a fine meal to each and every one of Andrea's critics. The 'crow' we prepared is ideal to 'eat' as a pre-game meal prior to the next Raptors game where Bargnani is sure to continue his breakthrough season. --

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