HoopsHype.com Interviews
Andrea
Bargnani: "I feel no pressure"
by Jorge
Sierra / April 2, 2005
Are
you pleased with the way things have gone for you and your development
as a player with Benetton Treviso this season?
Andrea Bargnani: Things are going to get better. I had a bad moment after the beginning
of the season because of some injuries. Now I have recovered really well
and I try to do my best in practice to gain the trust of my coach. In
the last games, I got some chances to play and stay on the court and this
was really important to improve my skills.
Your coach Ettore
Messina is said to be pretty good with young players. How much of a role
has a coach like him played in your development?
AB: Great importance
in the daily work. He is really careful with us and during practices his
suggestions play a key role for our growth. I think that being coached
by a man with such experience is the most important thing in my career
right now, since I can see my mistakes and learn more on the court day
by day.
What parts of your
game has he told you to work on the most?
AB: Taking
that I don't consider myself a complete player right now, I have to improve
on both the sides of the court. Now I am working hard and focusing on
defense, where I currently pay so much in Europe. I try to make it step
by step.
You played against
the Raptors last year with Benetton. How was the experience?
AB: It was
a good chance for us to get in touch with a different way to conceive
basketball – from organization to players, defense, offensive skills...
You cannot expect to understand everything about the NBA playing one only
game there, but it was really interesting for all of us. For me in particular
it was a good time. I played, stayed on the floor. And most of all...
I got an autograph from Vince
Carter!
Did you feel like
you could compete with those NBA guys?
AB: I don't
want to think about NBA guys right now. I have no time to focus on that!
My only plan is for today, to improve and learn as much as possible about
basketball.
There a lot of
expectations in Italy about you – along with Angelo Gigli,
Marco Belinelli and Stefano Mancinelli – possibly going to
the NBA in the near future. Do you think those expectations are realistic?
AB: I am not
the man who has to make these kind of appreciations. I can only say that
there are many good youngsters in Italy at the moment.
Do you feel any
special pressure because of those expectations?
AB: Not right
now. I don't think about pressure or expectations.
Which do you think
is your natural position? Can you see yourself playing small forward consistently
in the future?
AB: I'm growing
up now, so I try to exploit my age to play deep in the game both as a
small forward and a power forward. Now I am following the advice of my
coach and doing what the team needs from me on the court.
What do you think
about the comparisons with Dirk
Nowitzki?
AB: I am really
honored about it, but he is playing in the NBA and he is a star there.
Meanwhile, I am so young... I only want to focus on myself and my growth.
Jorge Sierra is
the editor of HoopsHype.com. Enrico Castorina, Benetton's media officer,
helped conduct the interview
Tell us what
you think about this interview. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com
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