<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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. If Bargnani struggles and doesn't play a lot, Colangelo will no doubt be criticized for selecting the wrong guy with the first pick. If Bargnani struggles and does receive a lot of playing time, Mitchell will be accused of playing the rookie, to the detriment to the team, because he is under pressure from upstairs. And we're not talking about God. It has all the makings of a soap opera. Of course, all will be well if Bargnani steps up right away and demonstrates that he is a bonafide NBAer. Still, Colangelo refuses to acknowledge any of those scenarios. The former NBA executive of the year insisted that patience, when it comes to Bargnani this season, will be one of his virtues, and no one will push the panic button if the big Italian fails to come out of the gate flying. </div> Source
Toronto's media is brutal, I think it was one of the things that drove VC nuts. Hopefully Bargnani will figure out some way to deal with them or ask teammates how they deal with it.
Why is the media so ready to assume Bargnani will be a bust? The level he played at in Europe was very high - they think that NCAA ballers are so much more ready for the NBA, but at this point in the evolution of the NBA I doubt it. Most of these foreign players are showing what they can do, need I mention the GREECE squad??? Plus the NBA is gravitating more towards the European style. ANd you can tell everyone is like Bargnani is on Bust-Watch. It's kind of limited thinking. Bargnani will be a very good rookie accept it and move on. Will he be the next LeBron? No, but he will justify his position as a lottery player.
Well I can speak for the Toronto media, when I tell you that it mainly comes out of ignorance. They haven't seen him play before and really don't know anything about him or international basketball. So they grasp at the nearest comparison they can find (Darko, Skita, Dirk) to set their expectations/approach for him. It's actually been rather amusing. The Raptors have been basically ignored when it comes to opinion articles this summer, because nobody here knows any of the players Colangelo has brought in.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I can speak for the Toronto media, when I tell you that it mainly comes out of ignorance. They haven't seen him play before and really don't know anything about him or international basketball. So they grasp at the nearest comparison they can find (Darko, Skita, Dirk) to set their expectations/approach for him. It's actually been rather amusing. The Raptors have been basically ignored when it comes to opinion articles this summer, because nobody here knows any of the players Colangelo has brought in.</div> Well, on the plus side at least there IS a media. Some other places that have losing teams, they barely even talk about the team, so that is one positive thing. I lived in San Francisco in 98-99 and the Warriors may has well not even have existed if you were to follow the media.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, on the plus side at least there IS a media. Some other places that have losing teams, they barely even talk about the team, so that is one positive thing. I lived in San Francisco in 98-99 and the Warriors may has well not even have existed if you were to follow the media.</div> Normally there's a media here. But not this season. What with increased Blue Jay payroll, the obligatory year-long hockey coverage, and the fact that nobody knew anything about the Raptors signings this offseason, there was basically nothing in the papers this year.
The media is being to rough on the guy. Like Charlie V, Bargnani will have to prove to the Toronto media that he can play great and is not a bust.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Carter:</div><div class="quote_post">The media is being to rough on the guy. Like Charlie V, Bargnani will have to prove to the Toronto media that he can play great and is not a bust.</div> The only real difference is that, with Villanueva, a lot of the criticism was legitimate. People had seen him play and questions about his assertiveness, ability to take advantage of his talent, work ethic, and defense were bound to come up after his college career. He just came out and proved everyone wrong. Bargnani doesn't really have to prove anybody wrong, because nobody's knowledgable enough to say that he'll suck (besides Dick Vitale, of course). All he has to do is show people how he plays the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">The only real difference is that, with Villanueva, a lot of the criticism was legitimate. People had seen him play and questions about his assertiveness, ability to take advantage of his talent, work ethic, and defense were bound to come up after his college career. He just came out and proved everyone wrong. Bargnani doesn't really have to prove anybody wrong, because nobody's knowledgeable enough to say that he'll suck (besides Dick Vitale, of course). All he has to do is show people how he plays the game.</div> IMO, Bargnani is not a bust, but he won't be a player you would want to depend on. I think he will be a solid role player for the Raptors. When the Raps drafted Bargnani, I was kinda shocked. I don't think he is good enough to be a number one pick, but who knows how he will play. If he gets minutes he might even be an all-star one day.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Carter:</div><div class="quote_post">IMO, Bargnani is not a bust, but he won't be a player you would want to depend on. I think he will be a solid role player for the Raptors. When the Raps drafted Bargnani, I was kinda shocked. I don't think he is good enough to be a number one pick, but who knows how he will play. If he gets minutes he might even be an all-star one day.</div> lol, that's exactly the type of mentality the media's had about Bargnani all offseason. They have no idea what to expect. Of course that really doesn't lend itself to good journalism, so that's why we've had no substantial articles and tired old assumptions about him.
