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ROME — Earlier this week, Andrea Bargnani spent a few moments visiting his past. Today, the Toronto Raptors' second-year forward will get a taste of what his future may hold as an emerging European NBA star.
Tomorrow, the Raptors will hope Bargnani gets on with the reality of his NBA present.
The Raptors open their exhibition season in his hometown of Rome, fittingly, against Kevin Garnett and the revamped Boston Celtics, on paper the most formidable obstacle to Toronto's attempt to defend its Atlantic Division title.
"I am happy," Bargnani said. "It's something unique to have my NBA team in my country."
Andrea Bargnani drives for the basket during a training session at Palaverde in Treviso, Italy. (Franco Debernardi/AP)
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- Boston Celtics
- Andrea Bargnani
- Chris Bosh
- Kevin Garnett
- Pau Gasol
- Darrick Martin
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Tony Parker
There is the case to be made that if Toronto is to build on its surprising 47-35 season a year ago, Bargnani is the primary variable.
If he continues the nearly monthly improvements he made during his rookie season, the Raptors will have a player befitting of the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft and a potent running mate for Chris Bosh.
A slower pace of growth will likely slow the Raptors, as the multitalented seven-footer is projected as the starting centre on a team whose glaring deficiency was toughness and rebounding last season.
It's a lot to ask of a player who just four years ago was a little-known 17-year-old from Rome living six hours from home in a dormitory at La Ghirada, the campus of Italian league powerhouse Benetton Treviso.
But those who know him best say he's ready. On Wednesday, Bargnani obliged an NBA television crew and a few reporters with a tour of his old dorm room, but it was a quick, no-nonsense visit — sort of like the first time around.
"He's always been mature for his age," said Maurizio Gherardini, the Raptors' assistant general manager, who, in his former role as the general manager at Benetton, persuaded Bargnani's mother to let him leave home. "He was ready to leave his hometown, he was ready to leave campus life to move into his own apartment and he was ready to become an NBA player. And just like now, I feel he's ready to take another step in his career."
One aspect of the next step in his career will be on display today. Bargnani is being groomed to become the face of the NBA in Italy, if not Europe. The Italian edition of EA Sports' NBA Live video game has him on the cover — just as more established NBA stars Tony Parker (France), Pau Gasol (Spain) and Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) are in their home markets.
Bargnani's Raptors jersey with the number 7 is the eighth best selling on the continent, No. 4 among European NBA players. This afternoon, Walter Veltroni, the mayor of Rome and one of the most powerful political figures in Italy, will have a reception for the city's favourite basketball son.
"Is he a star? He's getting there," said Antonio Ricciotti, Bargnani's long-time agent. "He still has a lot to work on, a lot to prove, but he's on the right track. For him to be playing in Rome with his NBA team is a big deal. You'll see [today], at the mayor's office. He's going to be probably very emotional, probably as he's never been."
When Bargnani takes the court tomorrow against Boston and on Sunday against Lottomatica Roma, the Raptors will be looking for him to be more physical than he's ever been.
While he was made the No. 1 pick because he has the body control, ball skills and shooting range rarely found in a seven-footer, there is an acknowledgment that for Bargnani to be truly special, he needs to defend and rebound against opposing big men, while using his combination of size and skill be able to create mismatches at the other end.
"He's understanding we're in need not only of his finesse game," Gherardini said. "We need something else and he's devoting himself to becoming a physical player, stronger player."
Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell said: "We need him to be more aggressive on both ends. He's going to play the 5-spot, he's got to rebound. He's got to be a physical presence in there. That's just the nature of the position, and he's got to go down there and do it."
As is his way, Bargnani seems to be making strides. His average of 11.6 points a game and 37.3 per cent shooting from the three-point line are solid building blocks, but his paltry average of 3.9 rebounds a game is the number the Raptors want to see improved most.
He had nine rebounds in a closed team scrimmage last Monday and was an active, aggressive presence at times during a public scrimmage on Wednesday. When those attributes are juxtaposed with his crisp shooting stroke or heady interior passing, it's a beguiling package.
He's also showing signs of coming out of his shell as his English improves. "He's a fun guy," said Darrick Martin, the veteran guard who has taken Bargnani under his wing. "I don't think too many people get a chance to see that the way I have or his teammates have. He plays jokes, he laughs, he has a good time. He's still a young guy."
But on the court? The Raptors need him to play like a man.
