Italian NT

[Toxicity]

It's fresh news, he's getting this passport in the next few weeks, by the end of March he should be Italian at last.
Which means we got this PG issue fixed for a while.

T.Diener - Belinelli - Datome - Gallinari - Bargnani
A.Cinciarini?, Hackett, Aradori, Antonutti?, Polonara, Ress, Cusin

That's how my NT squad would look like.

First of all, it's not official yet... let's say at 99% he'll get that passport...

Anyway, i think Antonutti is not NT material... he's a very improved shooter but that's all. And he plays in our most talented spot (forward)... if i know Pianigiani well, i think his spot will be grabbed by Mancinelli because he's still the captain of the team... regarding Polonara, i think he'll be in the group fighting for a spot with Melli while Gigli is the favourite over Ress who is older (even if he'd be a perfect fit in the NT)... other names that could be back in the first group of 18 players are Gentile, Cavaliero, Vitali and Crosariol...

Regarding the PG positions, Cinciarini is really improved and deserves the NT after what he did last summer... and i think also De Nicolao (probably our future at PG spot together with Imbrò) deserves a chance over just a 3p shooter and nothing else like D'Ercole...

BTW finally we have an interesting NT with the usual problem against team with a physical and athletic frontline...

[boyd20]

First of all, it's not official yet... let's say at 99% he'll get that passport...

Anyway, i think Antonutti is not NT material... he's a very improved shooter but that's all. And he plays in our most talented spot (forward)... if i know Pianigiani well, i think his spot will be grabbed by Mancinelli because he's still the captain of the team... regarding Polonara, i think he'll be in the group fighting for a spot with Melli while Gigli is the favourite over Ress who is older (even if he'd be a perfect fit in the NT)... other names that could be back in the first group of 18 players are Gentile, Cavaliero, Vitali and Crosariol...

Regarding the PG positions, Cinciarini is really improved and deserves the NT after what he did last summer... and i think also De Nicolao (probably our future at PG spot together with Imbrò) deserves a chance over just a 3p shooter and nothing else like D'Ercole...

BTW finally we have an interesting NT with the usual problem against team with a physical and athletic frontline...

Well, you know it's just the list of names I wish to watch playing for Italy this summer, but I'm aware it's gonna be kinda hard for some of them to make it to the final roster. Of course, I'm talking about Antonutti, Ress and maybe Polonara too.
I don't think the most talented team is always the best choice, I'd rather give a chance to players that performed well throughout the season than to those that are more talented but for some reasons had a disappointing campaign.

Antonutti - I'm with you, normally he wouldn't be NT stuff, but we don't have much depth in the SF position. Yes we have Gigi Datome who's having a terrific season and currently can be a difference maker to us just like the big three, but besides him there are not many options. Last summer our backup SF was Jeff Viggiano, who was having a convincing season before getting hurt recently, but we all know that rules only allow to call 1 naturalized player and that one will be Travis Diener unless he won't manage (but he's reportedly very close to get it) to get the passport. Alessandro Gentile is the most talented player in there but he's more of a future choice due to his youth, he had a terrible campaign because of injuries and bad attitude, I think he's nowhere ready to get a shot and I would be pissed to see him in Slovenia. So, I'd go with Antonutti for a couple of reasons: yes, he's a pure shooter but I'd always want a specialist to rely on off the bench and his % are just amazing so far (54% 3-pt, 96% ft), plus consider he's turning into a tricky defender despite an average athleticism. He would be very helpful against zone defense and would be a safe option from the free throw line in close games. One more thing, given the rest of the roster he would only be our 12th man and I'm firmly convinced that it's better to have such a specialist and a quiet guy rather than better/more rounded players who would need or ask for more playing time to be productive.

Ress - an amazing season at 32, better late than ever. Pianigiani knows him perfectly as they shared Siena's success for years. The problem is: apparently Tomas called it a career with NT, at least that's what's rumored, so I hope he's going to change his mind, since I'm sure Pianigiani will try to convince him.

Polonara - one of the key contributors to Varese's successful ride so far. I like how he managed to round his game. A freakish athlete who now has a quite consistent three-pt shot and a lot of competitiveness. He's 22, young but ready to make it to the roster, he'd desrve it.

I would be hugely disappointed to see other guys like Mancinelli, Gentile and Melli.
I don't care at all that Mancinelli is the team captain and a veteran, he just gave us a clinic of stupidity by rejecting all of the offers he got up to late January. He missed half the season by his own choice and if he's going to be part of the roster he needs to deserve a call and has to prove it on the court in the remainder of the season. It would be a true shame to see him in Slovenia just because of his status, this would be unfair to players that are working hard and trying to give their best since late summer.
As for Gentile, I've already explained.
Melli: I like his attitude and defensive versatility, but he's not having a good season (particularly on offense, he looks very inconsistent and not really dependable) just like all of his teammates in Milano. Plus, Polonara plays in the same position for the top-ranked team and just thrashed him last week in Italian Cup QF.
I'd consider Gigli, because he's a NT veteran who's having a quite good season, at least in terms of stats. But he's battling with injuries that are affecting his defensive mobility, he would need to sit out and rest but his team can't afford to lose him so he's playing hurt. There's also a chance he would need to undergo surgery this summer, so I'm not sure he would be much of a right option to us.
Anyway I prefer to count on a pure C, like Cusin.

But in the end we are just talking, there's still plenty of time and many things (injuries) can happen.

[Toxicity]

Well, you know it's just the list of names I wish to watch playing for Italy this summer, but I'm aware it's gonna be kinda hard for some of them to make it to the final roster. Of course, I'm talking about Antonutti, Ress and maybe Polonara too.
I don't think the most talented team is always the best choice, I'd rather give a chance to players that performed well throughout the season than to those that are more talented but for some reasons had a disappointing campaign.

Antonutti - I'm with you, normally he wouldn't be NT stuff, but we don't have much depth in the SF position. Yes we have Gigi Datome who's having a terrific season and currently can be a difference maker to us just like the big three, but besides him there are not many options. Last summer our backup SF was Jeff Viggiano, who was having a convincing season before getting hurt recently, but we all know that rules only allow to call 1 naturalized player and that one will be Travis Diener unless he won't manage (but he's reportedly very close to get it) to get the passport. Alessandro Gentile is the most talented player in there but he's more of a future choice due to his youth, he had a terrible campaign because of injuries and bad attitude, I think he's nowhere ready to get a shot and I would be pissed to see him in Slovenia. So, I'd go with Antonutti for a couple of reasons: yes, he's a pure shooter but I'd always want a specialist to rely on off the bench and his % are just amazing so far (54% 3-pt, 96% ft), plus consider he's turning into a tricky defender despite an average athleticism. He would be very helpful against zone defense and would be a safe option from the free throw line in close games. One more thing, given the rest of the roster he would only be our 12th man and I'm firmly convinced that it's better to have such a specialist and a quiet guy rather than better/more rounded players who would need or ask for more playing time to be productive.

I understand and somewhat approve your point of having a quiet 12th player but i think that spot should be grabbed by a young (Polonara, De Nicolao, etc)... moreover i don't think we need another SF in our roster since Gallinari will start at SF, Datome will likely back him up (and i hope he plays at least 20 mpg since he's actually the best italian player, NBA included) and then we have big guards like Belinelli and Aradori who can play some minutes (and they will) at 3 spot in a run and gun style. Also Polonara and Mancinelli could play that spot... so it's definitely our deepest spot in the roster. BTW Viggiano didn't play much minutes last summer and wasn't much of a factor...

Ress - an amazing season at 32, better late than ever. Pianigiani knows him perfectly as they shared Siena's success for years. The problem is: apparently Tomas called it a career with NT, at least that's what's rumored, so I hope he's going to change his mind, since I'm sure Pianigiani will try to convince him.

I'm with you... i hope Pianigiani can convince Tomas. We need quality minutes from him, at 4 and 5 spot... 10-15' per game at most.

Polonara - one of the key contributors to Varese's successful ride so far. I like how he managed to round his game. A freakish athlete who now has a quite consistent three-pt shot and a lot of competitiveness. He's 22, young but ready to make it to the roster, he'd desrve it.

I would be hugely disappointed to see other guys like Mancinelli, Gentile and Melli.
I don't care at all that Mancinelli is the team captain and a veteran, he just gave us a clinic of stupidity by rejecting all of the offers he got up to late January. He missed half the season by his own choice and if he's going to be part of the roster he needs to deserve a call and has to prove it on the court in the remainder of the season. It would be a true shame to see him in Slovenia just because of his status, this would be unfair to players that are working hard and trying to give their best since late summer.
As for Gentile, I've already explained.
Melli: I like his attitude and defensive versatility, but he's not having a good season (particularly on offense, he looks very inconsistent and not really dependable) just like all of his teammates in Milano. Plus, Polonara plays in the same position for the top-ranked team and just thrashed him last week in Italian Cup QF.
I'd consider Gigli, because he's a NT veteran who's having a quite good season, at least in terms of stats. But he's battling with injuries that are affecting his defensive mobility, he would need to sit out and rest but his team can't afford to lose him so he's playing hurt. There's also a chance he would need to undergo surgery this summer, so I'm not sure he would be much of a right option to us.
Anyway I prefer to count on a pure C, like Cusin.

I agree with you on Mancinelli and Gentile but i fear Pianigiani is still considering the former Fortitudo as a key piece of the roster (last summer was also a starter)... he doesn't deserve to be called in my opinion but if his PT is limited i'm not totally against him (he has some post game and can really pass the ball afterall).

Regarding Melli, he's having a bad season in Milan but that's also because of the problems of the team and the bad coaching by Scariolo. Melli is one of our best defensive big-men (at PF and C) and probably the best in pick'n roll plays. In the right situation he could be useful... personally i prefer Polonara right now but the season is not over yet.

But in the end we are just talking, there's still plenty of time and many things (injuries) can happen.

Obviously it's way too early to predict the final roster but it's great talking about that... we like basketball after all!

[CKR13]

Pianigiani will travel to the United States to visit Belinelli, Gallinari and Bargnani.

[CKR13]

Players to join Italy squad 19 June are Alessandro Amici, Paul Stephane Biligha, Luca Campani, Marco Diviach, Stefano Gentile, Valerio Mazzola, Riccardo Moraschini, Marco Portannese, Andrea Renzi, Marco Santiangeli, Andrea Traini, Andrea Zerini.

That group will take part in a friendly tournament in Jesolo from 7-11 June and take on sides from Croatia,Greece and Turkey.

After those games, Riccardo Cervi, David Cournooh, Lorenzo D’Ercole, Andrea De Nicolao, Giancarlo Ferrero, Alessandro Gentile, Daniele Magro, Niccolò Martinoni, Nicola Natali, Davide Pascolo, Giovanni Pini, Achille Polonara and Michele Vitali will link up with the group and Pianigiani.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/55413/arti.html

[Toxicity]

It may sound crazy but with Alessandro Gentile playing like that, maybe we've found a replacement for Gallinari... yeah, i know Gallo is the most important italian player but i like the consistence of Alessandro and his leadership qualities at 20 years of age. We could play some intriguing combination of forwards (Gentile at SF and Datome at PF)... we'll see later in the italian playoffs but i really hope Pianigiani will call Alessandro and give him a true chance to make the final roster (withouth considering him "just a youngster")...

[Italian Pride]

travis diener tomorrow will officially become an Italian citizen,so will be in the national team next summer...

diener-cinciarini
belinelli(?s not sure yet its presence)-hackett-aradori
datome-gentile
gigli-melli-polonara
bargnani(as opposed to Belinelli he has already said that there will be)-cusin

[Toxicity]

travis diener tomorrow will officially become an Italian citizen,so will be in the national team next summer...

diener-cinciarini
belinelli(?s not sure yet its presence)-hackett-aradori
datome-gentile
gigli-melli-polonara
bargnani(as opposed to Belinelli he has already said that there will be)-cusin

Finally Travis got that passport!!! Now we're extremely deep in the backcourt but we lack quality in the front-court (Gallinari would have played also as PF and probably Datome will play in that spot as well)... i hope Bargnani will be healthy and fully motivated to play harder than usual. We should be an entertaining team at worst...

[boyd20]

Good news, we got a PG at last.
So sad for Gallinari, though, I think he was the only player we just could not afford to lose.
Too bad, too bad.

[Italian Pride]

16 guys called for medical examination:

1. Aradori Pietro (88, 194, G, Lenovo Cantù)
2. Bargnani Andrea (85, 213, C, Toronto Raptors)
3. Belinelli Marco Stefano (86, 196, G, Chicago Bulls)
4. Cavaliero Daniele (84, 188, G, Scavolini Banca Marche Pesaro)
5. Cinciarini Andrea (86, 193, G, Trenkwalder Reggio Emilia)
6. Cusin Marco (85, 211, C, Lenovo Cantù)
7. Datome Luigi (87, 203, A, Acea Roma)
8. Gentile Alessandro (92, 200, G, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
9. Gigli Angelo (83, 209, A/C, Oknoplast Bologna)
10. Hackett Daniel (87, 199, G, Montepaschi Siena)
11. Mancinelli Stefano (83, 203, A, Lenovo Cantù)
12. Melli Nicolò (91, 205, A, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
13. Poeta Giuseppe (85, 190, G, Oknoplast Bologna)
14. Polonara Achille (91, 203, A, Cimberio Varese)
15. Rosselli Guido (83, 198, A, Umana Venezia)
16. Vitali Luca (86, 201, G, Vanoli Cremona)

travis diener not on the list but he has already done medical examination,before leaving for the holiday in U.S.A..

[Toxicity]

16 guys called for medical examination:

1. Aradori Pietro (88, 194, G, Lenovo Cantù)
2. Bargnani Andrea (85, 213, C, Toronto Raptors)
3. Belinelli Marco Stefano (86, 196, G, Chicago Bulls)
4. Cavaliero Daniele (84, 188, G, Scavolini Banca Marche Pesaro)
5. Cinciarini Andrea (86, 193, G, Trenkwalder Reggio Emilia)
6. Cusin Marco (85, 211, C, Lenovo Cantù)
7. Datome Luigi (87, 203, A, Acea Roma)
8. Gentile Alessandro (92, 200, G, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
9. Gigli Angelo (83, 209, A/C, Oknoplast Bologna)
10. Hackett Daniel (87, 199, G, Montepaschi Siena)
11. Mancinelli Stefano (83, 203, A, Lenovo Cantù)
12. Melli Nicolò (91, 205, A, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
13. Poeta Giuseppe (85, 190, G, Oknoplast Bologna)
14. Polonara Achille (91, 203, A, Cimberio Varese)
15. Rosselli Guido (83, 198, A, Umana Venezia)
16. Vitali Luca (86, 201, G, Vanoli Cremona)

travis diener not on the list but he has already done medical examination,before leaving for the holiday in U.S.A..

Almost all as expected... the only "surprises" are the not-so-young Rosselli in and Crosariol out despite the good season in Pesaro... we lack size under the basket and, even without Gallinari, we're full of wings...

[Italian Pride]

19 players for eurobasket

1. Aradori Pietro 88 195 A/G Lenovo Cantù
2. Bargnani Andrea 85 213 A/C New York Knicks
3. Belinelli Marco 86 196 G San Antonio Spurs
4. Cavaliero Daniele 84 188 G Free Agent
5. Cinciarini Andrea 86 190 G Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia
6. Cusin Marco 85 211 C Lenovo Cantù
7. Datome Luigi 87 203 A Detroit Pistons
8. Diener Travis Lyle 82 186 G Free Agent
9. Gentile Alessandro 92 200 G EA7 Emporio Armani Milano
10.Gigli Angelo 83 209 A/C Free Agent
11.Hackett Daniel Lorenzo 87 199 G Montepaschi Siena
12.Mancinelli Stefano 83 203 A Free Agent
13.Melli Nicolò 91 205 A EA7 Emporio Armani Milano
14.Poeta Giuseppe 85 192 G Free Agent
15.Polonara Achille 91 203 A Cimberio Varese
16.Rosselli Guido 83 198 A Umana Venezia
17.Vitali Luca 86 201 A Umana Venezia
18.Magro Daniele 87 208 C Umana Venezia
19.Moraschini Riccardo 91 191 G Oknoplast Bologna

last two players(magro and moraschini)will join the team only during the first training camp in folgaria...

moraschini is an insurance for not perfect physical condition of hackett,which isn't yet certain to pariticipate at eurobasket...

our possible starting 5:

t.diener-belinelli-datome-melli-bargnani

this NT is one of the most talented in the last 10 years IMHO..

[Toxicity]

I fear Mancinelli will find a way to put himself into the starting 5...

My 12-men roster would be:

Diener-Hackett-Cinciarini
Belinelli-Aradori
Datome-Gentile
Melli-Polonara-Rosselli
Bargnani-Cusin

[Chopin]

I really like this years Italian team. Maybe you are too soft on C-Pf positions, but I really like your sg/sf. I would start with Aradori before Bellinelli though. He is much more efficient than Bellineli which sometimes turns into a ballhog mode.

[wardjdim]

Funny how Mancinelli has become a scapegoat for most Italian basketball fans

But, yes. Maybe he has no place in this Italian NT, let alone the starting five. I don't particularly like this team, especially since Belinelli and Bargnani will most likely take more shots than they need to and because I will miss both Mancinelli and Gallinari (by far the best Italian player), but I have to admit that, if it is handled on a balanced way, they can be very good and one of the surprises of this rather weak tournament