Everything Bargnani: Grumble, Grumble, Grumble

[JoePanini]

Bargnani might very well be a disaster no matter WHO he plays with. He certainly didn't help them this past season, and he had two decent defensive big men surrounding him, who are exactly the type of players that Bargnani apparently needs to play with.

All things considered, I'd take Perkins over Bargnani any day of the week because Perkins isn't going to be a liability on one end of the court, like Bargnani is. Besides, having three big men who defend, rebound and won't hurt you on offense is never going to be a disaster. Yes, Amir hits when he's open, which means you can't leave him open. You leave Davis open and he immediately moves to a spot where he will hurt you on offense. You don't NEED your big men to create mismatches and open up the middle. You just need them to defend, rebound and score efficiently, which they do.

Perkins is a better player for the team, I think it's pretty obvious if a team like Chicago, LA or Dallas had to pick between Bargnani or Perkins they'd all pick Perkins, but I think Bargnani's trade value is higher than that. I think that the Raptors would be taking steps backwards if they trade Bargnani for Perkins straight up. I don't think that Perkins would help the Raptors long term.

The point isn't really whether Bargnani is better than Perkins, cause he isn't. Bargnani is more (wasted) talented, but Perkins definitely helps your team more. But I would definitely be disappointed if Colangelo traded Bargnani for Perkins. Just like Okafor is a better player than Bargnani, I'd still have mixed feelings over a Bargnani-Okafor trade.

[Tim W.]

Liar. No you dont. hahaha.

You know what? However much I criticize the guy, I've never held anything against him personally. I think he's probably a pretty decent guy. I just don't want him playing on my team.

[Tim W.]

Perkins is a better player for the team, I think it's pretty obvious if a team like Chicago, LA or Dallas had to pick between Bargnani or Perkins they'd all pick Perkins, but I think Bargnani's trade value is higher than that. I think that the Raptors would be taking steps backwards if they trade Bargnani for Perkins straight up. I don't think that Perkins would help the Raptors long term.

The point isn't really whether Bargnani is better than Perkins, cause he isn't. Bargnani is more (wasted) talented, but Perkins definitely helps your team more. But I would definitely be disappointed if Colangelo traded Bargnani for Perkins. Just like Okafor is a better player than Bargnani, I'd still have mixed feelings over a Bargnani-Okafor trade.

I'd be disappointed if they traded Bargnani for Perkins because I think the last thing they should do is trade for a starting center. Not when they've got Valanciunas, waiting in the wings. If they didn't, I wouldn't have a problem, although I'd rather see them get a lottery pick for him.

[Matt52]

Hopefully Bargnani answers at least one question surrounding rebounding/defense deficiencies and if he is planning on or has worked to address this. Not that his answer really matters but it would be good to get a better answer than this:

Bargnani is asked how he gets beat on the boards.

"Being lazy maybe," he says. "That's the only reason it can be. I've got the body, I've got everything to take 10 rebounds a game. It's just sometimes I get lazy."

He needs to fix that, obviously. He needs to play with more focus.

"Yeah," Bargnani agrees. "More focus. You said it. More focus and don't get lazy."

The rest of the Raptors season, and maybe longer, depends on it.

[GarbageTime]

Been watching finals? Lebron would get lots of questions about his game. Not that it matters as I assume they filter / preselect the questions(?)

yeah I agree he would.

Cav's fans have gone from worshipping him to all claiming he is and was overrated. He apparently isn't as good as a whole slew of players anymore, so I hear.

[JoePanini]

I'd be disappointed if they traded Bargnani for Perkins because I think the last thing they should do is trade for a starting center. Not when they've got Valanciunas, waiting in the wings. If they didn't, I wouldn't have a problem, although I'd rather see them get a lottery pick for him.

I'd love it if somehow Colangelo could get another lottery or even midrange pick next year, Kabongo is only rated at 18th on some mocks.. But I don't think any team would be stupid enough to trade away a lottery pick for Bargnani.

[Matt52]

I'd love it if somehow Colangelo could get another lottery or even midrange pick next year, Kabongo is only rated at 18th on some mocks.. But I don't think any team would be stupid enough to trade away a lottery pick for Bargnani.

A team with a cast of veteran players and in need of a scoring punch who also have a defensive C and SF might be interested *Cough* Milwaukee *Cough*.

[MangoKid]

Statline was pretty good in Italy's 80-68 loss to Serbia - 8/15 from the field , 6/6 from the FT line (22 points), 9 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocked shots in 34 minutes. The supporting cast - Belinelli and Gallinari pretty much failed to show up.

[JoePanini]

Statline was pretty good in Italy's 80-68 loss to Serbia - 8/15 from the field , 6/6 from the FT line (22 points), 9 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocked shots in 34 minutes. The supporting cast - Belinelli and Gallinari pretty much failed to show up.

Game was really close in the 4th quarter, Serbia's 18 point lead was down to four. Italy are going to have a tough time in their group, but Sebia is one of the best teams in the group. Gallinari played decently, although he didn't score much in the second half. Belinelli was poor, with his usual shot selection. Can't wait to see Valanciunas' first game now.

[RAPresenting]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...ed_In_Bargnani

[Stahmenah_Vybz]

Was just reading the same thin on ESPN. WOW, that should be interesting to see what he does.

[joey_hesketh]

Ohhh from the Italian Basketball League.

That makes more sense than what I came in thinking this is about ... haha

[Soft Euro]

Forgot about the lockout there for a second huh? But yes, happened to me too.

[Apollo]

This is excellent news.

[albertan_10]

he sucked today against germany. he didn't even start for the italians

[WhatWhat]

Goddamn it, I thought it was actual NBA teams interested in him.

[.40 Cal Flakes]

Cot dammit...I was jumping for joy thinking some other NBA team might be willing to take on pasta boy. But the Italian League!?

Very misleading OP, very misleading. Tsk tsk.

[Apollo]

At least he's going to be busy playing ball and improving his game. The way Casey has been talking Bargnani is going no where and its more likely for Ed or Amir to leave town.... Just imagine, we're in the Twilight Zone... Or at least the Raptors organization pre-Colangelo begging for his job and saying everything the fans wanted to hear.

[Balls of Steel]

King Bargs!!! Sorry, I just had to get it out there!

[heinz57]

King Bargs!!! Sorry, I just had to get it out there!

i see your "King Bargs", and raise you a "Bargs is Tupac"

oh the good old days......... a couple months ago