• Featured |
  • Burton DeWitt
  • Vin Diec
  • Trevor Freeman
  • Diane M. Grassi
  • Gabe Kahn
  • Ryan McGowan
  • Kris Pollina
  • Matt Waters
  • Ray Yocke
  • -----------
  • Write for SC
  • Get Featured
  • Nominate
• blog |
• Journals

• NFL
• NBA
• MLB
• NHL
• College
• Other

• forums + |
  • Chat Room
  • Message Boards
  • Philly Message Boards
  • Photo Pool
• Submit |
• Help

Neither Dirk nor Darko

By bobbyjim45, Section Journals
Posted on Tue Jun 27 2006 at 10:02 PM EST
More on: NBA Draft, Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors (all tags)

Andrea Bargnani is coming into the 2006 NBA Draft as one of the highest rated prospects on the board.  This 7-foot, 248 pound Italian is most highly touted for his unique combination of immense size and great perimeter play.  The hype surrounding Bargnani is so extreme, the Toronto Raptors are even considering drafting him with the first overall pick.

There have mainly been two major comparisons made with Bargnani; Dirk Nowitzki and Darko Milicic.  These are, of course, two complete opposite cases of European players coming into the NBA.  Dirk has become one of the best players in the game while Darko is a virtual nobody, only known as the guy who was mysteriously chosen before Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.  

To summarize Bargnani's game, he's a big guy who can shoot the trey and dominate the perimeter, much like Dirk Nowitzki.  However, there have been many questions surrounding his low-post game and his ability to dominate the paint like a 7-footer should.

There is one man in the NBA who seems to fit the game of Andrea Bargnani.  His name is Reaf LaFrentz.  Reaf is 6'11", but has a low-post game that is virtually non-existent.  The Boston swingman has made a decent living for himself in this role for nine seasons with Denver, Dallas and Boston.  The comparisons between Bargnani and Reaf are undeniable.  Even their weight is separated by only 3 pounds.  Like Reaf, Bargnani does not particularly have a set position.  He's not particularly suited for center, because he doesn't have the dominating presence in the paint.  But, because of his size and the situation he could be in with Toronto, he may end up playing center anyway, like Reaf has for much of his career.  Both players would be better suited at the 4 or maybe even the 3, but, because of their size and situations, are stuck at center.

The Raptors may end up drafting Bargnani on Wednesday, but they can't do so without saying that I have officially given them fair warning.  They will essentially be drafting the twin of Reaf Lafrentz (albeit a one inch taller and three pounds heavier twin).  They would be much better taking a guard such as Brandon Roy or Randy Foye because of their crowded front court, but yet they also need to take the best player.  So, go ahead, Bryan Colangelo, and take a flyer on Bargnani, but you better believe that when they start calling him "Reaf Jr.", I'll be saying, "I told you so..."

(Note: Colangelo hired the GM of Bargnani's Italian team to become the Raptors' vice president and assistant general manager.  Could this be foreshadowing of tomorrow's number 1 pick?)