Ex-Raptor says change of scenery will be good for Andrea Bargnani
The Toronto Raptors' Andrea Bargnani (7) shoots over the Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat during the first half of a game in Phoenix. (March 6, 2013) Credit: AP
Alan Anderson spent parts of two seasons playing with new Knick Andrea Bargnani in Toronto and called him “an amazing player.”
Anderson, who signed with the Nets Tuesday, also thinks a change of scenery will be good for Bargnani and a weight will be lifted off of his shoulders because of the Knicks’ roster.
Bargnani, the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, was heavily criticized and drew the ire of the Toronto fans for his slippage in production over the past two injury-plagued seasons and his stoic demeanor.
“He just needed a change,” Anderson said on a conference call today. “He’s an amazing player. All guys are different. He’s not a yelling, energetic, show-a-lot-of-emotion type player. He shows his emotions through his game.
“A change of scenery is good for some guys, especially if they haven’t took their team to where the fans or media think they should win. The change of scenery is good, and now he’s got a little bit of weight off his shoulders going to the Knicks, with Melo, J.R. Smith, Amar’e – you’ve got those guys who can really help you blossom even more.”
The Knicks acquired the 7-foot Bargnani for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a 2016 first-round pick and second-round choices in 2014 and 2017. Bargnani averaged 15.2 points in seven seasons with the Raptors.
