The hard Italian life of Brandon Jennings

Will Brandon Jennings regret his choice to join Roma? “Hey, he’s only played one game with his team, what are you saying?” could be the answer from any of Oak Hill Academy product’s fans. But the situation isn’t smiling so much on B.J. now. Roma is an open building site, and the risky debut match against Caserta (home victory, 83-81 in overtime) has explained why Lottomatica isn’t yet ready to be in the fight nor to be led by Jennings.

After the arrival of Datome, coach Jasmin Repesa has 12 “real”players, seven of them in the backcourt rotation. Considering Becirovic the main acquisition from the market, de la Fuente as the only pure small forward in the roster, and Allan Ray a guy whose contract costs nearly $700,000, one need not be a genius to understand that there aren’t a lot of minutes for B.J; this is amplied because Ibby Jaaber is a skilled defender, a concept that the American boy seems far from assimilating.

So how could Jennings see his minutes on the floor increase? First thing: He must get better in the halfcourt game. Second, he must become more reliable and less spectacular in handling the ball. Third, must become more unselfish. At the moment, Becirovic is “the” man on Roma, the top point guard, and it would not be strange to see stat lines like his against Caserta (14-of-14 on free throws, 10 fouls received, 7 assists) often repeated during the season: He is the mind of Lottomatica, and has the ball in his hands for at least 12 seconds on every play. In learning from Becirovic, Jennings could improve as a player, and that’s what Repesa wants, because Becirovic and Jennings on the floor together are more dangerous than Becirovic and Jaaber. And we are curious to see a backcourt trio of Jennings, Becirovic and Ray.

Many hypothetical solutions and deep rotations are in play; surely this sort of platoon system doesn’t help B.J., who has to play almost 25 minutes a game to develop his talent and be more confident in a league that is not so easy to face, especially for a 18-year-old. Jennings has one year (plus the Euroleague competition) to keep his promises and take over the team. But until something changes, Roma is property of Becirovic.

This may be a sudden fall back to Earth for a guy predicted as a top-seven pick in the 2009 NBA draft, but no doubt this experience will strengthen him. Under one condition: Jennings must be patient, and his time will come.

And for those saying “Hey, he played only one game with his team, don’t be so critical,” you’re right, but look at his line in the boxscore: 10 shots in 21 minutes? Calm down, Brandon!

written by Francesco Cappelletti

The Italian league explained

Though this ranking will probably be jumbled in eight months, let’s take a look at the teams in the Italian league. A preliminary remark: this season will see one of the most balanced championships of the past five years, with almost every team improving its situation and not merely to beat the invincible Montepaschi. Serie A is still alive and is breathing new air.

Montepaschi Siena. To be a two-time Serie A champion is not enough to remain among the Euroleague elite. Therefore, attempting to improve on a 60-12 team in 2007/08, Domercant and Finley are in, while Thornton and Ilievski are out. Domercant is the scorer Montepaschi needs to develop its perimeter game; Finley looks like the new McIntyre, a quick offensive playmaker who knows how arm his teammates to the tune of 3.3 assists per game for Rieti last season). Bringing back the Euroleague title after seven years is the target, well focused upon by a group close to the last significant opportunity of their careers. If there is any shortcoming at all in the Siena game, it’s that the team is no so heavy in the paint.

Lottomatica Roma. Any desire is an order. So, Jasmin Repesa asks, Bodiroga and owner Toti deliver, equipping the coach with something like a Dream Team. Going into his third year as head coach, however, it’s time for the Croatian to win a title. The best way would be to beat Siena, in a rivalry born and intensified during the last four editions of the playoffs. To do so, Roma introduced to Italian fans one of the preseason’s most exciting stories, namely Brandon Jennings. Roma’s destiny is carried on the shoulders of the Oak Hill Academy point guard and his maturity in leading a team very rich of talent (Becirovic, Ray, Jaaber), but endowed with little desire to defend. Consequently, Brezec – and his impact in the paint – is the key.

Upim Bologna. Striking for its offensive power, Fortitudo Bologna starts the season as a possible surprise in the Serie A race. Huertas, Forte, Woods, Mancinelli, and Barron sounds good, don’t you think? Considering this starting five to be the best in the league is no joke. An excellent bench (combo guard Gordon, Malaventura, Slokar) completes the roster driven by Dragan Sakota, whose most serious task might be getting on with his players. After disappointing and boring seasons, though, Bologna can dream again; this is what “Basket City” needs.

Virtus Bologna. Hatred of Fortitudo is so nasty that the ephemeral title “King of the Summer Market” is something to be proud of. The showy agreement reached with former NBA star Earl Boykins is the best move owner Sabatini could have made in confirming command in Bologna and attacking Serie A at the highest levels, whereas Virtus wants to come back. The roster goes beyond just Boykins, because in acquiring Vukcevic, Arnold, Langford and Koponen, the average quality has increased. Sharrod Ford, if he can repeat last season’s numbers, could truly become the best center in Italy. Curiosity and concern here is about coach Pasquali, in his first experience heading a team this skilled.

Air Avellino. Things are getting better in Avellino, and a terrific 2007/08 might represent the entrance into a richer and more successful era. This year, the amazing Euroleague to play and key moves made during summer, mean that last season was no anomaly, despite coach Boniciolli’s resignation. The signing of Dickau – probably one of the most adaptable point guards coming to Europe from the NBA indicates the presence of a solid plan, strengthened by the construction of a new and larger arena. Apart from Dickau, Avellino has landed Warren, swingman Slay, the imaginative Porta, and role players like Tusek, Cinciarini and Crosariol. Zare Markovski must again find the right chemistry after the awful losses of Green and Smith, but you can’t teach talent and Avellino has gobs of it.

Armani Jeans Milano. A new property referred to Mr. Giorgio Armani is a great guarantee. From the transfer of ownership, Milano began its season, renovating the roster, ambitions and technical staff. New GM Lucio Zanca (Montegranaro miracle’s author) has been called to design a team which could excite fans: The first step to achieve that aim was shipping out Caja and his reasoned game. Bucchi was the right addition, along with names such as Sow, Hawkins and two-meter tall guard Vitali. Some say Armani Jeans hasn’t the stars that can bring it a title – excepting Hawkins, this is true – but this team’s toughness and depth are virtues everyone must keep in mind. Further, Milano has a huge number of Italian players: They may not be champions (Rocca), may be in terrible decline (Bulleri), or may be desirous of redemption (Mordente), but they all speak the same language.

Benetton Treviso. Too much time has passed since Ettore Messina led Treviso to the Italian title. Today, Messina is the best European coach and is in Moscow, while the Benetton family no longer feels much like investing a lot of money, especially after years that have also stained the club’s reputation. (Remember the Lorbek affair?) Mahmuti, still aboard despite the disaster of last season, would like to have better players, choosing them spot-by-spot, but that’s the situation: the coach must be satisfied with Wood, Neal, and Wallace. It’s conceivable that Mahmuti would use a platoon system in trying to squeeze all he can out of players which don’t look like champions but have the pieces to get Treviso back in the playoff hunt.

Tercas Teramo. Now the fun begins. This is going to be a great season for Teramo, which will fight to get to playoffs, its 2008/2009 goal. Technical improvement is evident, and surely this team is a top 10 Italian club. Poeta, waiting for a better and more consistent leadership, is the key player in a skilled group, for whom awfully streaky-shooter Jaycee Carroll and all-around player David Moss should make the leap. Former Montegranaro star Amoroso has to ignore the negative voices around him, saying he’s mentally lacking to play at the highest level (and that this is the reason Siena didn’t employ him), while coach Capobianco must forget his previous experience in Serie A (Avellino’s relegation to Legadue in 2005/06). But with Teramo looking good and a solid bench featuring Hoover and Jaacks, the fans will enjoy themselves at least.

Scavolini-Spar Pesaro. What lesson can be learned from last season? Above all, talent without mentality is not enough to create a team. In order to avoid making the same mistakes, this Pesaro edition presents fewer “crazy horses” like Ron Slay and Keydren Clark, and more professional players like Hurd, Akindele and Stanic. This sudden U-turn occurred because results, barring a semifinal in the National Cup, didn’t arrive. Reactions of the fans to this new situation and its lowered expectations aren’t so positive, and it’s up to coach Sacripanti give them the lie. Sacripanti needs Ramel Curry healthy and Van Rossom, on loan from Milano, able to fulfil his promise. For Van Rossom, Pesaro is the test to determine if he can be a top player outside of Oostende.

Cantù. Cantù is always one of the most interesting Italian teams, because of its ability in discovering young players from minor leagues, working within a budget which can’t compete with the league’s bigger teams; McCullough, Thornton, Stonerook, and Morandais should teach us something. The tune in Cantù hasn’t changed, and limited resources have brought GM Arrigoni to the American summer leagues. Imported from the US were Sundiata Gaines and Jason Rich, a fast and promising backcourt duo that will prime scorers like B.J. Elder and Mazzarino. Many hopes depend on Tourè’s efficiency, and his capacity to raise the decision-making. It’s difficult to imagine Cantù in the playoffs again, but dreams cost nothing.

Angelico Biella. Missing playoffs is not a disaster; nevertheless, Biella had got into the habit of postseason play. This year the hunt begins anew, thanks to management sensationally signing great young prospects coming from the NCAA: Aboard are Gist and Plaisted, two big men intended for top European teams. After them, additions include the homecomings of Joe Troy Smith and Reece Gaines (problematic in Milano and Treviso), and other youngsters ready to fire (Jerebko). Biella’s recipe to obtain results never changes.

Eldo Caserta. Exciting: Running over Caserta’s roster, this is the word that immediately comes to mind. Coming back from Legadue after 14 years of purgatory – this was coach Marcelletti and GM Betti’s intention. They wished to raise a team that needs great offensive players to survive, drawn along the lines of Oscar Schmidt and Vincenzo Esposito; the natural consequences of this act were the acquisitions of Butler, Foster, Slay and Di Bella, although everyone knows about Eldo Caserta’s defensive weaknesses. Nevertheless, their upside is huge. Eldo’s budget is important for a Legadue newcomer, but it seems that the choices made could pay large dividends, too. See them in the playoffs?

Premiata Montegranaro. The miracles are over. Vitali, Amoroso and Ford are gone. Reality is depressing, because a Eurocup justly reached has been lost on behalf of Treviso, and in Montegranaro what remains to replace last season’s heroes are only workers (Rice, Chiaramello) and immature talents (Bryce Taylor, Cinciarini). Surprisingly, hope is represented by six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp, signed at the end of a one-month-long negotiation. Kemp is the attraction, the man who could change Montegranaro’s anonymity. People think about his last tragic appearance in NBA five years ago with Orlando, and while the 39-year-old center attests to his physical fitness (and his mental fitness…?), time and a long period of inactivity won’t help him.

Snaidero Udine. It’s all about the money, we say. Sad but true. The same thought has crossed president Snaidero’s mind, when he knocked on the doors of local sponsors and institutions. In all of Friuli, nobody wants to invest in basketball, and Snaidero has taken a step back. The team’s plan: Stay in Serie A, full stop. Jermaine Jackson will get the leadership, while Rashad Anderson is the first offensive option after a 20 ppg season in Livorno. Udine has a strictly defensive identity, as is coach Caja’s want. More probable this season are wins of 65-60 scores, as opposed to 90-87. Pay attention to what Antonutti provides in his second year as starter.

Solsonica Rieti. The financial situation is not so wonderful in Rieti. Within a limited budget (rumoured at about €1.5 million), created was a team which could avoid relegation, this season made even more difficult due to a two-point penalty Rieti must pay for administrative offences of last year. Meanwhile, leader Finley has departed for Siena, and the team begins its run with four new American faces: Jerry Green, Folarin Cambell, Pervis Pasco and Roderick Wilmont. Coach Lardo is the best re-signing that Rieti could have made.

Carife Ferrara. If Collins becomes the next McIntyre; if Jamison has still the fuel to be a factor in the paint; if Mykal Riley and Ndudi Ebi don’t complain of pressure … So many ifs for Ferrara, but the future here may be brighter than we expect. The team structure has remained the same, and coach Valli isn’t frightened to face his first Serie A championship; the place is boiling over in anticipation of a new adventure. The ingredients to obtain a stay in the highest Italian league are all there, but the road is not so easy.

Written by Francesco Cappelletti

Domestic league preview: Italy

Virtus Bologna’s agreement with Earl Boykins is only the latest sign: It is now clear that the Italian League is ready to return to its past and glorious times of the 1990s when Bologna was called “Basket City” and the whole movement was at the top in Europe. Serie A is on the rise again, just in time before a season that scares many general managers because of controversies and possible changes to regulations on the use of Italian players currently left at the ends of benches. The reality, however, says Italian players can’t bring you to a Euroleague title. Many countries have looked overseas and to the best European leagues to renovate their teams, and return ambitiously to Europe. Analysis of the best Italian teams shows a huge number of credible contenders; Siena and Roma aren’t alone anymore.

Montepaschi wants to give itself the opportunity to win the Euroleague and, to be sure of competitiveness against teams like Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Barcelona and CSKA Moscow, signed last Serie A’s top scorer Morris Finley and expert guard Henry Domercant from Dynamo Moscow: two important moves which follow the confirmations of McIntyre, Lavrinovic and Sato, three key members of the 2007-2008 title run. 

To break Siena’s power, Roma has worked very well on the market, adding great names (Jennings, Becirovic, Brezec, Hutson) to a group that made it to the finals. If the rumors on David Hawkins’ return are true (the former Temple guard is going to decide between Milano and Roma), Dejan Bodiroga has to be satisfied with his creation. 

No less important is what Milano is doing, thanks to new property controlled by Giorgio Armani. Armani is a man with the faculty and desire to invest money in his team, and is able to answer with great local signings: Vitali, Mordente, Rocca will be cornerstones for the future, while Thomas, Sow and Sangarè are solid role players. 

The most encouraging news for Italian basketball, however, comes from Bologna, where both Fortitudo and Virtus’ fans could enjoy again positive and winning seasons, after some disastrous years. Fortitudo has one of the most amazing potential offenses in Europe, with Forte, Huertas, Woods (also Slokar). Virtus has bet on Boykins – the deal is worth $3.5 million! – to come back in the Euroleague, but there’s not only the 5’5” point guard from Eastern Michigan, because players like Langford, Ford, Arnold are capable as well. 

Such are the contenders’ situations. Behind them, some clubs have the choice to put themselves among the teams longing for a championship. Avellino dreams of another third-place finish and although the element of surprise is gone, its roster is not so bad (Warren is an Euroleague player, Slay has the skills to play in NBA). Treviso has built a strong starting five (Wood, Neal, Soragna, Wallace, Nicevic), and Pesaro has lined up some interesting young players (Stanic, Akindele). 

And what happening in the littler centres of Serie A? Capo d’Orlando has found its new idol after Pozzecco’s retirement in Tyus Edney; Biella keeps up its excellent scouting skills and has signed Plaisted and Gist; Caserta, the 1991 Italian champion and back in Serie A after 14 years, expects a lot from Diaz, Butler and Foster.

That’s the Italian situation. As we can see, there are many signs pointing to a more balanced Serie A than in the past two years, when Montepaschi’s control was embarrassing. At the same time, the Italian league is returning to prominence in Europe, where Siena, Roma, Milano and Avellino will face the Euroleague; Fortitudo Bologna, Capo d’Orlando and Treviso will play in the Eurocup. Though some teams which have serious economic troubles (the entire budget for Rieti and Napoli is about $1.5 million each) and some are obliged to reduce ambitions (Montegranaro has lost the unforgettable last season’s heroes; Udine has picked up its players from Legadue), this is generally one of the most interesting championships in the last five years. Maybe Italians owners aren’t able to invest a great deal of money like in Athens, Moscow or Barcellona, but the level is very high, like only in ACB. CSKA can’t lose at Samara or Surgut; Olympiakos can’t lose at Larissa or Rodi; but Siena (or one of the other top teams) can lose at Pesaro or Biella. That’s the great difference coming from Italy.

This article has been written by Francesco Cappelletti.

The Rookie Wall

Everyone knows about the “rookie wall,” that second year in the NBA which often seems impossible to get through for some rookies. Andrea Bargnani hit the wall, and it’s what probably might happen to Marco Belinelli. The cases of the two Italians are, in some ways, of the same mold, and this is not great news.

Bargnani, first overall pick in the 2006 Draft, has just find out how difficult adapting to an NBA team, NBA rules and the NBA way of life is. A reserved, shy guy, Bargnani was stunned by the lights of the pro world and confused when he put on the Toronto Raptors jersey. According to Bryan Colangelo and Maurizio Gherardini’s intentions, Bargnani should have been the starting power forward for the next ten years, but the choice has been shown to be wrong: A rookie season of 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and sad 42% field goal shooting, statistics not good enough for a number one pick, turned to a tragic second season in whom Bargnani saw his playing time (from 25.1 to 23.9 minutes), points (10.2), rebounds (3.7) and shooting percentage (38%) decline.

How this was possible? Obviously, the Italian 7’ combo-forward got used to Toronto, knew his teammates better, knew the NBA better … but the rookie wall came all the same. It’s hard to say if a reason for this devolution was Sam Mitchell, but this is probably one reason: The 2006-2007 BA Coach of the Year has never trusted Bargnani, feeling as though the Italian were imposed on the new management. Bargnani’s insubstantiality in the paint made the (negative) difference: The starting power-forward spot is well filled by an All-Star like Chris Bosh, and Mitchell sees in Bargnani only a center. But Bargnani hasn’t the weight, the moves, and the defensive ability to stay with big men, and thus the experiment with Bargnani existing somewhere between the bench and the starting five was a complete failure.

Now, Toronto has taken the opportunity to give to Bosh serious help in the line as Jermaine O’Neal comes to Air Canada Centre. The move is a clear signal to Bargnani: Marking the first change in big men (though possibly the last, as Nesterovic is now a Pacer, and Jawai is still immature) and with a contract entered its final year at $5.1 million with a team option in 2009-2010, this is Bargnani’s last chance to show his aptitude. Otherwise, his Canadian experience risks ending.

Marco Belinelli is in a similar situation, but his future is much brighter than Bargnani’s. The elements are the same: a young talented Italian player coming from many solid seasons in the Italian national league and the Euroleague, an exciting shooter endowed with an impressive temperament. Unfortunately, the trouble makes Belinelli akin to Bargnani is represented by the coach: In this case, his name is Don Nelson.

Famous for leaving rookies on the injured list or in the D-League, Nelson stated after the Summer League 2007 that Belinelli was “going to get many minutes next season,” but the words don’t match the facts: The former Fortitudo Bologna shooting guard played 7.3 minutes per in 33 games, scoring 2.9 points per game. Knowing Nelson, nobody must be surprised. This July, Belinelli was back on the Warriors’ Summer League roster. With thoughts of many returning to the previous summer, when the former no. 18 overall impressed everyone, he notched 17.8 points per game, with an encouraging 37% three-point shooting percentage. Is the future really changing for Belinelli?

Longing to show his real ability, the guy has taken this first difficult season as a year of training to fill in the gaps between some aspects of his game (particularly on the defense, but also physically) and that of other NBA players. If this feeling is true, Belinelli shouldn’t have too many problems finding minutes in the Warriors’ rotations, because he’s clearing not lacking in offensive talent. Even more, a revolution has undergone in the Golden State guard department, suggesting more frequent and better use of the Italian boy.

Belinelli will begin next season as Corey Maggette’s substitute, figuring a “fast and furious” starting five with PG Monta Ellis, Maggette at shooting guard, SF Stephen Jackson, PF Al Harrington, and center Andris Biedrins. On the bench, Marcus Williams and Kelenna Azubuike (the Warriors matched the Clippers’ offer for the English restricted free agent) are standouts, while Anthony Randolph still remains unevolved as a small forward. Not simple, but Belinelli has the quality to come out.

The rookie wall still stands there, as does Don Nelson again. But time is running short. The “Italian Stallion,” Danilo Gallinari, is ready to shine, and Belinelli and Bargnani don’t want to be left behind.

This article has been written by Francesco Cappelletti.