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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... -1.2153277“I think that’s the biggest step he has to make,” Messina, now an assistant coach with the Spurs, said on Tuesday. “I’ve always joked with him that he should hire a press relations manager because he looks like he’s not interested and he looks like he’s not tough. But that’s not the case. I really liked coaching him. He does care.”
Bargnani’s agent, Leon Rose, confirmed on Tuesday that his client would welcome a second chance with the Knicks.
“Andrea is optimistic about what Phil is trying to accomplish and he certainly wants to be part of it,” Rose told the Daily News. “But he’s a free agent this summer so it’s too early to predict what may or may not happen.”
Messina believes that Bargnani is perfectly suited for Jackson’s triangle offense, noting that he’s more effective in the high post.
“He’s not a low post player,” Messina added. “That’s not his game. I think Andrea is a good player for the triangle. He shoots it well, he’s not a bad passer and he sees the game well.”
Early Tuesday, Bargnani and Messina spoke for 10 minutes on the court and they were eventually joined by another expat, Spurs guard Marco Belinelli. Messina remembers that Belinelli struggled to find his way in the NBA until blossoming three years ago in Chicago. Last season, Belinelli was a key reserve on the Spurs championship team.
“I understand in the NBA, Andrea has had bad reviews, but I think he has a lot of upside,” said Messina, who also coached Knicks guard Alexey Shved. “It’s a lot like Belinelli. Before they go back to Europe they want to make a point that they can make it here.
“They have a lot of pride. Andrea wants to prove himself. I’d be surprised if he gives up and says, ‘I’m going home for the money.’ He still has something he wants to prove in the NBA.”
