Not everyone believed that the Toronto Raptors No. 1 pick from 2006 would continue improving from his career-best season last year.
And possibly even fewer would have believed that the big center from Italy’s Benetton Treviso would start to dominate on the defensive end.
Those who have followed Andrea Bargnani’s progress with a more optimistic view would say that they are not surprised.
Not to suggest that Bargnani has elevated his game to an All-Star status yet, but Bryan Colangelo’s faith in his big center is proving to be very well placed.
Bargnani has followed up last season’s averages of: 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks with 17 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over his first 36 games of 2009-10. And his field goal shooting has improved from 45 percent last year to 47 percent currently.
Presently, Bargnani stands fifth in scoring amongst NBA centers tied with Dwight Howard and he is 22nd in rebounds with 220, tied with Chuck Hayes. Bargnani is 17th overall in the NBA for blocks with 49.
But it hasn’t been smooth ride. Bargnani started the season hot, averaging 22 points and 6.75 ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Stephen Brotherston
Toronto Raptors Center Andrea Bargnani Breaking Out
January 9th, 2010 by Stephen Brotherston Leave a reply »
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