Bargnani's Numbers As The Raptors Starting Center Are Impressive
By RaptorTalk
Andrea Bargnani spent the early part of this season as the Raptors' seven foot ping pong ball.
The Raptors had him bouncing all over the place. He was coming off the bench, then he was starting as a small forward, then it was back to the bench – we all know the story.
And through it all, Andrea was posting less than impressive numbers. His numbers were generally languishing around 25 minutes per game, .420 FG%, .380 3 PT%, 4 RPG and less than 10.0 PPG and the tag of Bustnani seemed appropriate.
However, some of us still called for patience and insisted the end of his third year would provide us with a clearer indication as to the type of player Andrea Bargnani would potentially become.
So far this season, Bargnani has played 61 games and started 42 of those games. However, he played the small forward position in 15 of those games. In the 19 games he came off the bench, he played at all three front court positions with little consistency.
Play the kid at Center
Early in the season, many analysts including RaptorTalk and Raptor analyst Jack Armstrong questioned the manner in which Andrea was being used. It is hard to get into a rhythm when you are being bounced from position to position. More often than not, it appeared that Andrea was being put in "positions to fail" instead of being "put in a position to succeed".
We surmised that Andrea would be more successful if he was given a regular roster spot and told to play one position – period.
Surprise, surprise!
When that finally happened, Andrea’s numbers have taken a significant spike upwards. There have been 27 games this season where Andrea Bargnani has been the Raptors #1 Starting Center. Here are his rather impressive numbers over those 27 games:
35.5 Minutes per Game
47.0 FG% (178 of 380)
43.0 3 PT% (50 of 116)
18.8 Points per Game
6.6 Rebounds per Game
Before the season started would Toronto Raptor fans have been delighted with Andrea averaging 18.8 pts/6.6 boards? Absolutely!
Plus, as Michael Grange noted Andrea is “a guy who's become an average to better-than-average individual and team defender.” (Where we disagree with Grange’s analysis is that he looks at Bargnani’s full-season offensive numbers, which are somewhat misleading based on his poor early performances that were a result of not having a clearly defined role).
It is clear that for Andrea to develop into a top tier NBA player, he needs to be placed into his best position on the court and learn that position. The Raptors have decided that center is where he is best suited and his improved numbers indicate that has been an excellent decision by Raptors’ management.
Looking at the numbers and considering Bargnani’s overall improved play, it is not a stretch to project Bargnani to develop into a 20 ppg/7 rpg player next season – assuming the Raptors make him the team’s full-time starting center. Particularly if his supporting cast is improved.
Despite all the criticism that Andrea and Bryan Colangelo have taken, it certainly appears that after Brandon Roy - Andrea will be widely regarded as the second best player in the 2006 NBA Draft once all is said and done. Considering all the negative predictions from his critics, that's not bad at all.
Clearly, Andrea is proving his critics wrong. No one can argue with the 18.8 ppg and 6.6 ppg he is putting up as the Raptors starting center.
UPDATE: Bargnani's numbers including the Houston game.
35 Minutes
47.0 FG%
45.0 3 PT%
19.0 PPG
6.6 RPG
Bargnani and Bosh will never coexist together successfully. They're both PFs trying to play Cs because of a lack of alternatives. Bosh tried to be C but didn't have the size or strength. Bargnani is trying to be C but isn't a natural fight due to his inherent instincts and that he will never be an above average rebounder.
His numbers have improved - but I'd think that they would be just as solid at PF over a whole season. Numbers don't tell the whole story - the Raps interior D and defensive rebounding is laughable - which is often why the Raps often have great individual numbers but still come out on the losing end. If you're also going to have such porous perimeter D then you gotta have a gifted defender/shotblocker intimidating in the paint - something Andrea will never be.
It's also a bit presumptuous to say that Bargnani will be the 2nd best player of the 2006 draft. I'd think based on the recent play of Foye & Thomas - and the established talents of Aldridge, Gay & Millsap - that they would all stake a similar claim.
In a nutshell the Raps face a similar problem as they did with CV and Bosh. They need to decide between the 2 at PF if this team is to move forward. Bosh being traded would seem the obvious option where BC is concerned, as it would fill more needs whilst handing Andrea the reigns at his natural position. If he could bring back a package that would eventually lead to a more balanced and competitive team, then I would be all for it. Especially as Bosh seems to have half-checked out of the ACC at the moment.
Then after addressing the PF Spot, Center and Swingmen we could move onto addressing other pressing concerns such as Calderon at the point, bench depth and the coaching position - one which I honestly cannot believe Jay Triano will hold on to.
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I agree, Bargnani with his skills is better suited to playing PF rather than center.
I sugget Bosh is traded to acquire players at the SF, SG & PG positions
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