Bargnani or Bust

Written By: Mark Calaminici

Wouldn’t you pick a 7 foot 250lb player who can shoot long-range, has the ability to drive and with so much potential upside first overall?

There is always blame after the fact, but being what it was that day in 2006, I know I would have followed in the steps of Bryan Colangelo and pick Andrea Bargnani. As a GM you have to make huge decisions and are limited to make mistakes. Many people feel to this day Bryan Colangelo made a mistake. I myself feel Bryan did not make a mistake and that there is still time for Andrea’s game to turn around. Many people like to say Bargnani is a bust, there is even a website promoting it http://www.bustnani.com/

You can’t help but feel the pressure that Andrea is facing, playing away from home, being forced to play a position you aren’t used to and getting heavily criticized for most of the things you do on the court. All because you are the number one pick. Some will say being number one overall you should automatically be an all star caliber type player. The flipside on that statement is Andrea didn’t ask to be number one. He was put into that position.

There is still time though for the 23yr old player who in off season prepared for the 2008-09 season with a vast arrangements of work outs, clinics and better understanding the fundamentals in the game.

The Raptors are not playing great thus far, and are under scrutiny from the media to make changes and changes have been made. Most noticeable is that being the firing of Sam Mitchell, but when you stear away from the media hoopla that Toronto is and look at Andrea Bargnani’s development this season. You have to be somewhat approved.