Bargnani Is Okay, Recalcati Says

Andrea Bargnani (photo: FIBA)

18-08-2007 13:30 | eurobasket2007.org

Carlo Recalcati on Thursday dismissed fears that Andrea Bargnani might not play at the EuroBasket due to injury.
The seven-footer is not feeling 100%, but Italy coach Recalcati told FIBA Europe:

"Bargnani's condition is not a concern. During the year, while at Toronto, he suffered from back problems and I decided to give him two or three days rest. But he will be training with the team tomorrow (Friday) in Varese."

Recalcati handed Luca Garri, a 25-year-old power forward/center who played on the silver-medal winning Olympic team in Athens and last year's team in Japan at the FIBA World Championship, a surprise call-up on Thursday but not as cover for Bargani.
"The decision to bring in Luca Garri is linked to the fact that due to injury, I had to do without Mason Rocca," Recalcati confirmed.
"Mason Rocca hurt himself 10 days before we got together for the first time. He hurt his knee, and unfortunately, he will not be with us."
Napoli star Rocca not only played, but started in last year's team that finished second to Team USA in Group D of the FIBA World Championship.
"For me, having to do without Rocca is a big loss because he has a lot of talent and he would have combined well with Bargnani and Gallinari in the ideal kind of concept of the way I want us to play," Recalcati said. "Now I need to find players who can take over Mason's role. Angelo Gigli has been playing very well, but also Bargnani will have to step in and Gallinari."
Marco Belinelli, a first-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors this season, played for Italy last summer, too. Recalcati spoke all season with great enthusiasm about a new generation of Italian players, including Belinelli, Bargnani and Gallinari.
Bargnani had a fine first campaign with the Toronto Raptors, living up to the lofty expectations of a number one pick overall in the NBA draft.
He ended up making the all-rookie team, even though he missed several weeks before the play-offs after having his appendix removed.
Gallinari, who only turned 19 on August 8, was also outstanding at Armani Jeans Milano.
But he pulled up lame at the end of a friendly victory over Poland with a knee injury and was even carried off the court.
"With regards to Danilo, it is a serious injury but less serious than we had expected," Recalcati said. "He will join us in Varese, where he will begin his rehabilitation. But the doctors say he should be available at the end of the month and I hope to have him with us in time for the tournament in Bamberg."
At the Bamberg Tournament in Germany, Italy will face Russia on August 24, Portugal on the 25th and Dirk Nowitzki and Germany on the 26th.
Overall, Recalcati says Italy have shown signs of being a good team in Spain.
"We've played seven games, and I've seen some good moments when the team has played very well," Recalcati said. "And other times, when we've lacked concentration. Our key is to find continuity for 40 minutes, and that is what I hope we will get when we travel to Spain."