By Jeff Taylor Special to PA SportsTicker
Bryan Colangelo's international experiment with the Toronto Raptors was not restricted to the players.
"No one knew the answer, but everyone had a lot of hope," said Maurizio Gherardini, who was lured from Italy by Colangelo as the team's assistant general manager a year ago.
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Together, Colangelo and Gherardini constructed a squad that featured nine new players and seven internationals around All-Star forward Chris Bosh. The risky experiment resulted in a 47-35 record, an Atlantic Division title and Toronto's first postseason berth in five years.
"I think Colangelo was a very creative and brilliant GM to start with, putting all of the pieces together," Gherardini said. "But no one could have known how well things would turn out."
Speaking at last week's Euroleague Final Four in Athens, Greece, Gherardini referred to the resurrection of the Raptors as "an unbelievable season." And his international ties played a big role in their success.
Widely viewed as the top general manager in Europe, Gherardini was convinced to leave Benetton Treviso for Toronto by Colangelo, who succeeded where other teams had failed. The two tracked their eye for talent on the European ranks. Gherardini had no trouble convincing former Benetton forward Jorge Garbajosa of Spain to sign with the Raptors. Euroleague MVP Anthony Parker, a former first-round pick, also was anxious to return to the NBA.
"We were lucky to have quality players, quality people and I think the Euro flavor was particularly important getting that necessary glue that you need to put a team together," Gherardini said.
The biggest move, however, was to use the top overall pick in the 2006 draft on Andrea Bargnani, who was coming off an Italian League title with Benetton.
Things did not click right away. The Raptors lost eight of their first 10 games, and many were calling for Colangelo to fire coach Sam Mitchell.
"After our 2-8 start, probably you were shaking a little bit and thinking, 'Hey, is this going to work out?'" Gherardini said.
Things began to turn around when the 7-foot Bargnani began receiving more minutes. He developed into a poor man's Dirk Nowitzki, averaging 11.6 points, shooting 37 percent from 3-point range and finishing second in Rookie of the Year balloting.
"He adjusted very well to everything - on the court, off the court," Gherardini said. "I think he showed why Toronto picked him in the first spot. He's got the tools, and the potential to become a very, very intriguing player."
Despite a first-round playoff exit against the New Jersey Nets, the Raptors seem to have established a foundation for years to come.
Youngsters T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon are manning point guard - "One of the two best point guard combinations in the entire league," Gherardini said - Bargnani and Garbajosa are establishing themselves and Bosh is moving into his prime.
Mitchell has to be re-signed, but the team appears to have the right mix, with a diversity that matches the cosmopolitan feel of the city.
"There were a lot of question marks putting together a brand new team at the beginning," Gherardini said. "I think as easy as it's been on the court, off the court it's been the same.
"In a beautiful place like Toronto, things worked out. It's been a very, very exciting season."
Updated on Friday, May 11, 2007 2:30 pm EDT
Non è proprio su Bargnani ma siamo lì