New York Knicks News: Andrea Bargnani's Italy Coach Says Big Man Will Be Successful in New York
The coach of the Italian national team said Andrea Bargnani is primed for success with the Knicks next season.
"I am 100 percent sure next year is going to be his year,'' Italy's associate coach Mario Fioretti told the New York Post, in an article published on Monday. "He's so happy about his new situation. He's really happy to be in New York. Not anything against Toronto. The expectations are still there. He's ready to take the challenge."
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Bargnani was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Toronto Raptors but in seven seasons with the Raptors, the Italian averaged 15 points on 44 percent shooting.
The 27-year-old is at an age where most NBA players enter their prime, and Italy's coaching staff said he's already showing signs that he has a new mindset since training camp began on July 24 for next month's European Championship.
"I think he's more mature," Fioretti said. "He knows better how we need to play at a certain level for European basketball. He's more aware of what he needs to do and is more wise. He's more helpful this summer than that last summer [2011], is my feeling.''
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Italy was eliminated in the first round of the 2011 European Championships and Bargnani wasn't ready for the competition, Fioretti said. This time around, the former Euroleague Rising Star award recipient is showing more dedication to his national team.
"He was serious two years ago, but didn't realize how hard it was to play at this level in Europe - now he realizes,'' Fioretti said. "He really knows what we need from him, how he can be helpful on the floor. He got more aware in creating ball movement, player movement, being quicker setting picks, rolling, popping outside. I don't think he was as good [in 2011].''
According to the Post's sources, Bargnani will have an opportunity to show the Raptors the type of player he's become when the Knicks visit AirCanada Centre for a preseason game in October.
