Andrea Bargnani Complains About Role, Wants To Play Somewhere Warm
I know you are all laughing out loud here, but maybe he has a point.
I dislike Bargnani as much as the next man, but drafting a power forward with rebounding and defensive issues and asking him to play center is just asking for it…isn’t it?
Drafting a project big man at number one overall over the accomplished college star your franchise player basically begged you for is just asking for it…isn’t it?
Yes, it is true, the Raptors have criminally misused Andrea Bargnani for his most of his tenure as a Toronto Raptor, especially last season when he should have finally got a chance to play his "natural" power forward position, but for some reason the Raptors braintrust decided that as a 7-footer he would have to play out of position at the five once again.
So I do have a little sympathy for him.
The only time we even tried to cast Bargnani in a role that fit him was when Jermaine O’Neal was in town and we toyed with Andrea at the three spot and off the bench.
More than half of the Toronto Raptors fan base has turned against Andrea Bargnani and it seems that his G.M, now with job security, is finally willing to admit his mistake.
"“I don’t know if he’s ever going to be a better defensive player than he is. Can he be a better rebounder? Absolutely,” the GM said of Bargnani at his season-wrapping press conference.
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“We know he can rebound, but he doesn’t focus on it…That’s a desire thing. And that’s something he’s going to have to come to grips with.”
Finally.
I know that is what most of you are thinking.
Here is Andrea’s response:
"“(Colangelo) had some unfortunate and not very courageous comments about me…The facts are there for everybody to see and judge.”
“(Bargnani) said, ‘I understand what Bryan Colangelo said.’ He said, ‘I need to improve. I know that I have to improve.’ He wasn’t happy about Colangelo’s comments, but he understands these comments, because he knows he’s a young player and he knows he has to improve in his game,” Mamoli said in a phone interview.
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Maybe Andrea is a bit miffed that BC called him out in such a public setting, but he has to understand that everyone is the NBA knows about Andrea’s lack of defensive focus, so he is not exactly snitching or spilling the beans on a well kept secret.
And Andrea here is on if he would like to play somewhere other than Toronto where the fan base has started to turn on him:
"“I want to stay in Toronto, at least this is the politically correct answer. If (I am) to go somewhere else, I’d like a warm climate city and a team where I can actually play in my role.”
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Now while we are not sure what he means by his role, we will assume he means power forward and not as a sixth man…which is really his ideal role.
Its is time for Andrea Bargnani and the Raptors to part ways as it would be best for all parties involved.
Andrea would no longer have the lofty expectations of a city and franchise who drafted him number one overall and the Raptors could finally move on and start the best talents rather the player with the biggest contracts and commitment bias.
Raptors fans can rejoice because Andrea is no longer untouchable and BC will be entertaining trade scenarios for the disappointing big man this summer.
