I knew Knicks and Raptors fans would soon have something in common, something they could bond over while drinking a frosty adult beverage.
Andrea Bargnani can bring people together… in frustration.
Bargnani had a rough first outing as a Knick, going 0-3 from three point range (3-of-9 overall) meaning 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers and he was -11 in 17 minutes. Raptors fans were patient with him over the years, taking their time to turn on him; Knicks fans not so much, as noted at the New York Post.We’re about to find out if it is, because it took just two shots into the season opener for the Italian import to hear boos from the Garden crowd….
Bargnani, who was hampered by injuries in his past two seasons in Toronto, has a long way to go. He debuted with a terrible first half, missing all four of his shots with two turnovers and two fouls. The crowd booed after just the first two misses, jeering after he clanked a short 8-foot attempt 32 seconds into the second quarter.By the way, coach Mike Woodson said he plans to start Bargnani Thursday night against the Bulls. Seriously. That is the plan, putting him at the four and Carmelo Anthony at the three.
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I have not hidden my distaste for the Knicks Bargnani pickup, it’s not that he can’t provide some value on the court it’s that you’re paying him $23.3 million for something you could get better at half the price. Expectations are too high for him and I expected all Knicks fans (know Bargnani divided the fans base) would come around eventually.
In a credit to the basketball IQ of Knicks fans, it didn’t even take a full half.