Background: Toronto Raptors all-star forward Chris Bosh was concerned about his team taking the Italian forward before the 2006 draft. Bosh wanted Texas forward LeMarcus Aldridge. Raptors president and general manager Brian Colangelo temporarily calmed Bosh’s concerns, having a long talk with him about Bargnani before the draft. The Raptors took Bargnani, and Aldridge was drafted second by Chicago before his rights were dealt to Portland.
What’s up: Word is Bosh and guard T.J. Ford, who played at Texas, have expressed disappointment in Bargnani. The 7 foot, 250-pound Bargnani has averaged 5.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.4 minutes entering Friday’s game against Atlanta. Aldridge was averaging 10.3 points and six rebounds in 25.4 minutes entering Saturday’s game at Sacramento.
What’s next: Expect Bargnani to get more playing time, a hot topic after Colangelo told ESPN Radio that coach Sam Mitchell should be playing Bargnani more. “Every day, he is getting better. It’s the little things (the media) don’t see on a daily basis, watching him in practice,” Mitchell told the Toronto Sun about Bargnani.
Spears’ take: This situation seems similar to when Republic of Georgia native Nikoloz Tskitishvili was playing for the Nuggets. The fifth overall pick in the 2002 draft – selected over Amare Stoudemire, Caron Butler and Tayshaun Prince – didn’t get much playing time in Denver. That was a subject of debate between then-Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe and then-coach Jeff Bzdelik. The Tskitishvili situation may have played a part in Bzdelik losing his job and could be the same for Mitchell with Bargnani. “Skita” was cut by the New York Knicks in training camp and is now playing in Russia.
