<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In Italian they say Buon Natale instead of Merry Christmas. As the holiday season rolls around, the Toronto Raptors are giving thanks for Andrea Bargnani, the gift that keeps on producing. The big Italian has made a remarkable transformation in a National Basketball Association season that won't be two months old until Dec. 31. "Take away the first two weeks of the season and name me a rookie in the league that's playing as consistently as Andrea," head coach Sam Mitchell said. "He's showing why he's the No. 1 pick." Bargnani seems a good bet to be the NBA rookie of the month for December, as he led all rookies in scoring with an average of 13.2 points in 10 games, while also averaging five rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots. But his December surge began in mid-November. In his first nine games of the season, Bargnani never played more than 13 minutes, in part because of steady foul trouble, in part because he was struggling with his defensive assignments and in part because in his haste to take advantage of what playing time he did get, he rushed his game. Bargnani averaged only 4.1 points and 0.9 rebounds a game on 38.4 per cent shooting, while making only one three-pointer in seven attempts in his those first nine games. But Mitchell and club president Bryan Colangelo made the decision to give Bargnani steady minutes and allow him to play through his mistakes, regardless of his foul situation, and were almost immediately rewarded. Beginning with a 15-point effort in a loss against the Utah Jazz, where Bargnani played 27 minutes, he's been on the court for at least 20 minutes in every game he's played since, and his production has proved he was deserving. In those 16 games, including his breakthrough game in Utah, Bargnani has hit double figures in scoring 12 times and has averaged 12.9 points on 44.1-per-cent shooting, while shooting an increasingly respectable 31.3 per cent from long range. He's grabbing rebounds at a rate of 4.5 a game and has emerged as a useful shot blocker, with an average of 1.13 in his 16-game stretch. "We thought all along he'd be where he is now, somewhere in the top five among rookies," Colangelo said. "But with increased minutes and the learning process, he might make a run at rookie of the year."</div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Take away the first two weeks of the season and name me a rookie in the league that's playing as consistently as Andrea," head coach Sam Mitchell said. "He's showing why he's the No. 1 pick."</div> Mitchell is fricken stupid! The reason he wasn't consistent the first week of the season, was because he didn't give him enough minutes. If it weren't for Collangello telling Mitchell to play Bargnani, then he'd probably still be playing the same minutes the Mitchell was giving him at the beginning.
He's exceeded my own expectations, as well as meeting them. We all knew how talented he was and what type of skill set he brought, but I didn't expect him to adjust so quickly. Like the article mentioned, he's improving while you watch him. Whether it's adjustments from quarter to quarter against Darko, or matchup to matchup against Biedrins, he's picking up concepts fast for a foreigner. I'm especially encouraged by his rebounding and blocked shot numbers for the last 3 games.
I told you guys, Andrea is a baller. All he needed was some confidence and minutes. He has an advanced offensive game, and his versatility allows him to make adjustments and pick apart his defender. The key for Toronto will be whether or not he can play with Bosh.
<div class="quote_poster">Iggy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Mitchell is fricken stupid! The reason he wasn't consistent the first week of the season, was because he didn't give him enough minutes. If it weren't for Collangello telling Mitchell to play Bargnani, then he'd probably still be playing the same minutes the Mitchell was giving him at the beginning.</div> maybe he's stupid, although, i think smitch was just being cautious. remember joey g got big minutes early on in his rookie season and his confidence waned as a result.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I told you guys, Andrea is a baller. All he needed was some confidence and minutes. He has an advanced offensive game, and his versatility allows him to make adjustments and pick apart his defender. The key for Toronto will be whether or not he can play with Bosh.</div> For the few times they played together they looked comfortable and complimented each others game pretty good.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I told you guys, Andrea is a baller. All he needed was some confidence and minutes. He has an advanced offensive game, and his versatility allows him to make adjustments and pick apart his defender. The key for Toronto will be whether or not he can play with Bosh.</div> I don't see that beeing an issue, if anything, their games compliment each other. Bosh is a great interior player (contrary to popular belief) and 'Drea has a long range on his jay. Both players are GREAT off the dribble for big guys. I like it Shape.
What surprised me most about Bargnani was his court vision. He's made some really nice passes this year, similiar to Villanueva last year.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What surprised me most about Bargnani was his court vision. He's made some really nice passes this year, similiar to Villanueva last year.</div> He's a better defender than Villanueva and a better shooter as well.
