The NBA Draft lottery was completed just two days ago and the draft itself is still well over a month away.  However, the frenzy of speculation regarding just who will be selected and where, has already kicked into high gear and commanded the attention of every top lottery franchise. All of whom, having long been eliminated from postseason contention with the exception of Chicago, would otherwise have nothing to focus their attention upon for quite some time as it relates to their club.  But now these teams, along with their disappointed but loyal fan base, have been afforded the opportunity to dream of what fortunes and promise "next year" holds for them with just a little more clarity. 

Naturally the greatest attention is focused on who will be selected first in this draft, and there are several players out there who are receiving heavy consideration for the slot. Unlike in this past April's NFL draft, there is no clear consensus number one pick.  But even if there were, we all recently bore witness to just how unpredictable a draft can prove to be. Even when there is just one.  Thanks Houston.

Gonzaga University small forward Adam Morrison had previously been favored by many to fill the role of the number one pick, as had Texas center/power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, though to a lesser extent. However, recent prospective basketball stock reports have seen the value of Italian star Andrea Bargnani shoot through the roof as of late.  A boom generated by numerous NBA franchises and scouts as they find themselves mesmerized by the immense talent and potential possessed by the Benetton Treviso International star forward, nicknamed, "The Magician."

But just who is this highly touted prospect who appears to be the next addition to the foreign invasion of basketball talent from Europe, and why would he be considered over major college stars who casual basketball fans are far more familiar with? Why are NBA teams continually looking to International players, when they seek to invest their top pick? Didn't teams learn last year from what happened to the Orlando Magic when they selected Fran Vazquez, and were then in turn burned by the forward who hails from Spain when he opted to remain in his home country and sign a long term deal there? What about the major disappointments that Darko Milicic and Nikoloz Tskitishivili, a former Benetton Treviso player himself, proved to become?

The answers are simple. Remarkable talent and strong fundamental basketball skills. With the current trend of young talented stars in the U.S. being one where many choose to jump straight to the NBA from high school or with minimal college basketball experience, many players come into the league lacking strong fundamental and team orientated skills.  As a result, numerous coaches and scouts have come to rely more on international players who are churned out of the fundamentals-driven basketball system that exists in Europe. Such players commonly possess strong passing and shooting skills, as well as a team first mentality. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that international stars currently comprise 18% of the league. Some who favor the International route of finding new talent, like former college coach and current Nike director of global basketball, George Raveling, believe that percentage could approach 50% by the year 2010.

An Italian player has never starred in the NBA.  Some consider that to be a slight knock against Bargnani (Barg-NAH-nee), who stands to become the first. However, current Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni, who made a name for himself while coaching in Italy, has experienced tremendous success by incorporating the international style of play that emphasizes passing and perimeter shooting. Not to mention the selfless style of team play his Suns team so well exhibits. Therefore, hailing from the Italian league should prove to be no major issue for the 7'0", 225 pound forward.

But Bargnani is hardly an enigma in the eyes of the basketball world to begin with.  Especially in the eyes of Toronto Raptor fans who witnessed his remarkable ability to beat players off the dribble time and time again during an exhibition preseason game in October of 2004. Bargnani showcased his numerous talents with relative ease. Even when matched against a quick power forward like Chris Bosh.

Many scouts have dubbed Bargnani the "Next Dirk Nowitzki", an accolade that is sure to generate first pick consideration from a host of NBA lottery teams. But it is a comparison that Bargnani, though while very proud of, tries to steer away from. Bargnani is not a player who allows for such praise to go to his head. When asked in an interview earlier this year who he thought he resembled in the NBA, the acclaimed Italian forward maintained, "I resemble no one, I am Andrea Bargnani. I am just trying to improve myself and become a better player."

Bargnani's humble approach to the game can further be ascertained from additional statements he gave when asked about the prospect of becoming the first European player ever selected #1 in a NBA draft, and whether or not he was worried about it going to his head. A question to which Bargnani replied, "No, because you have to show your skills on the court during the season. A player can be picked in lottery but if he lacks good attitude or skills he will never become a good NBA player. I prefer the facts, not the words."

The hype surrounding Bargnani is far from being unfounded. The 7-footer has an uncanny outside game. He has a quick and high release point on his shot, can catch and shoot from just about anywhere on the court, and easily beats any big man off the dribble. He is a very fluid and runs the court extremely well. He is a selfless player who always plays in the flow of the offense, rather than attempting to dominate it. He is very active on defense, and his versatility will not leave his team high and dry when it comes to generating pressure and getting stops.

Does Bargnani have his short comings? Sure, international players are just like homegrown talent in the sense they need to further enhance their skills, make adjustments, and adapt to a new style of game as they grow. Bargnani has been criticized for being a bit undersized to play at a high level in the NBA, as he is still maturing and lacks the bulk you would expect to see at the professional level.  However, it is worth noting that some said the same thing about Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons. I doubt I need to tell you how Prince has faired. Two championship appearances and one title should tell you plenty.  One of Bargnani's biggest assets, his versatility, makes it hard to project him at any particular position. He could either be a small forward or a power forward. He has played at both positions in Italy, and says he will glady play whichever his coach wishes.  Unfortunately, some fear he could have problems defensively in the NBA at whichever spot he ultimately is selected to play.

Though extremely quick for a big man, there is serious doubt that he could effectively cover and hang with the speedy small forwards of the NBA. His quickness is more than effective enough at the power forward position, but as mentioned earlier, his size isn't. Bargnani will likely need at least a couple years to adapt to the NBA game, enhance his skills, and bulk up to NBA size.  Thus making it highly unlikely for him to come onto a team and quickly become a force anywhere near the level of a player like Dirk.  Rather, he is more likely to serve as a role player coming off the bench early on in his career.

Despite the concerns, Bargnani's upside is clearly there. Worst case scenario, he will be a lower level supporting star. Some teams still may opt to go with a safer pick like Morrison or Aldridge. But make no mistake about it. Any NBA team outside of the top five lottery teams would be extremely hard pressed to land Bargnani in the draft. Several teams with a high lottery pick, like the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats to name just a couple, are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to see the Italian star sport their team cap and jersey on draft day. But even teams with a high lottery pick may not luck into seeing him fall into their lap.

Just one day after the NBA lottery, the Toronto Raptors dispatched coach Sam Mitchell and senior advisor Wayne Embry to Italy to scout Bargnani. How high are the Raptors on Bargnani's talents you may ask?  Toronto's general manager Bryan Colangelo statements issued yesterday should help shed some light on the matter. "I'm not certain we would even bother sending them if we ended up with the number 5 pick", is what the Raptors G.M. told reporters. A statement which immediately lead many to the conclusion that the Italian forward is on the club's short list and they are quite high on him.  It would prove to be the perfect culmination for both Toronto and Bargnani. The Italian star's journey will have come full circle as he would join the team he competed so brilliantly against in that preseason matchup during the fall of 04.  

Whether or not Bargnani will one day live up to his present billing at the NBA level remains to be seen. But no G.M. wants to be remembered as the guy who passed on the "Next Dirk Nowitzki" if the comparison proves itself to be accurate.  Best of luck to the Toronto Raptors in the coming month as they stew over the decision.  Whichever way the franchise opts to go, could very well prove itself to be the chief factor that dictates its future for years to come.