It's time for Bargnani to seize the day - just as he did at the EuroBasket

NEW YORK (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - Nearly a decade has passed since Andrea Bargnani was the top pick in the NBA Draft.

Remember that June night in the Big Apple, back in 2006?

Coming off an Italian title-winning campaign with a Benetton Treviso side that was coached by David Blatt, the sweet-shooting 2.13m Bargnani had his name called out by the Toronto Raptors.

He was just 20 years old.

Well, you know the rest of the story.

Bargnani didn't live up to expectations in Toronto, who stuck with him until 2013 when they finally traded him to New York.

The past few years, injuries have ravaged Bargnani.

There were the elbow injuries, the one to his hamstring and the calf.

It didn't look very good at all for Bargnani, even after he penned a two-year deal with Brooklyn this summer, until the EuroBasket.

In Berlin, Germany, and Lille, France, Bargnani played very well for Italy and showed he still has plenty to offer.

Bargnani was a real warrior, averaging almost 15 points per game for the Azzurri as they clinched a spot in a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

He played well in important games.

Excluding the Round of 16 clash with Israel which Italy won so easily (82-52), when Bargnani picked up a knock and played just 12 minutes, he was outstanding in his team's last several games.

In the 'group of death' showdowns against Spain, Germany and Serbia, Bargnani had 18, 17 and 17 points, respectively.

Following the demolition of Israel, he had 21 points in Italy's 95-85 overtime defeat to Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals and 21 against the Czech Republic in an 85-70 win that punched the Azzurri's ticket to a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Bargnani is known for his perimeter shooting but he also played some defense for Italy.

Bargnani is glad that he played for his national team.

"The EuroBasket was very important," he said.

"Not because of what I had to prove to people because I think everyone knows the kind of level I play at and the kind of player I am.

It was fundamental, in terms of improving as a player, to grow not just on the court but off it and to get into top shape for the upcoming season - Bargnani

"Perhaps some people may have forgotten how strong I was, but I didn't feel the need to prove that.

"But from a personal standpoint, it was important because I finished the season in mid-April.

"I had a bit of holiday and then I had two months of intense training and games of a very high level.

"The games that I played for the national team are of the highest level."

There is plenty of upside to Bargnani.

He's big and can shoot it well.

Bargnani's also only 29 years old.

The Nets are excited.

"We're not looking backwards with him, we're looking forward," Nets general manager Billy King said.

"That's something we told him when we reached out and tried to get him to come here, is you can have a fresh start.

"We're not looking at anything you did in Toronto, anything you did with the Knicks.

"We're looking at you to come in and be a part of the team. Give us the shooting we know you can hit. Give us the toughness.

"Don't worry about living up to anybody else's expectations but yours."

No wonder Bargnani signed for the Nets for two years at the league minimum and left more money on the table with the Sacramento Kings.

He's joined a team that is very positive, looking forward and not back.

Bargnani, many people would say, needs to have a good season or his NBA career will fizzle out.

He's not putting that kind of pressure on himself, though.

"The main thing I'm looking for is being healthy, and being on the floor and contributing to the team's success," Bargnani said.

"I just want to be a part of it. We have a great group of players and I want to be on the court.

"I want to be able to help them."

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

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