|
|
Team Focus: Armani Jeans Milano
|
 |
Piero Bucchi, Head Coach
|
|
Coach, tell us about your team's roster for the next Euroleague season, what changes you made and what improvements you expect to gain from those decisions?
"This is team is completely new, we have players like Sow and Hall who need big help to know how European basketball is, despite the fact that Sow already played last season a few Euroleague games. For others, like Jobey Thomas and Luca Vitali, it will be their first real Euroleague experience. We know perfectly, the technical staff and the club, that giving responsibility to lead the team to a young guy like Vitali is a little risky, but we're sure he will show to everybody in Europe that he is ready to do it. He has big talent, is intelligent and has all my trust."
How much can you learn from the preseason about your team? What signs do you look for now that will help when the Euroleague starts?
"We have had difficulties during this preparation time because we have players with the national team who we are waiting for to come back so we can start working all together. We'll have a month together to be ready to start the Euroleague. Until now, I tried to establish the defensive rules so that we have a basis for common work. Now we'll work on the offensive system. I have to say that all the players have shown in these weeks great attitude and desire to be part of this team."
Now that all the other teams have mostly completed their rosters, how does the competition in the Euroleague this season look like to you?
"I think our Euroleague regular season group is very tough, and it won't be easy to advance to the next round. With the new competition system, you have no time to recover if you start badly. So we have to start in the best way possible. I think that this will be probably be the best-ever Euroleague because all the teams tried to sign the best players possible, and a lot of them could think of going to the Final Four."
What are your goals going into the new Euroleague season?
"Our goal is advance to the Top 16, but like I said, our group is tough, with solid teams, and we need to start well and have good performances throughout all ten games."
|
|
 |
|
|
 A classic among European basketball clubs, Armani Jeans Milano, has undergone a thorough overhaul to get ready for the 2008-09 Euroleague. With a new head coach, Piero Bucchi, and just two players who represented the team in the Euroleague last season, Massimo Bulleri and Mindaugas Katelynas, it is truly a new start for Milano. The club hopes to meet the Euroleague challenge with a roster full of experienced and scrappy team-first players who understand the goal of reclaiming Milano's glory days. The lineup has been upgraded in just about every area, with ace defender in David Hawkins, talented big guard Luca Vitali, sweet shooters Jobey Thomas and Marco Mordente, rebounding studs Richard Mason Rocca and Mike Hall, and power player Pape Sow. With so many new faces, the preseason will be key for Armani, as Bucchi tries to put all the pieces together. If he can bring cohesion to a group full of hustling go-getters, Milano will make some headlines in the Euroleague before long.
| Name |
Pos.
|
Height
|
| Massimo Bulleri |
G
|
1.95
|
| Ariel Filloy |
G
|
1.92
|
| Mike Hall |
F
|
2.03
|
| Pape Sow |
C
|
2.08
|
| Marco Mordente |
G
|
1.92
|
| Luca Vitali |
F
|
2.01
|
| Jobey Thomas |
G
|
1.94
|
| Richard Mason Rocca |
F
|
2.04
|
| David Hawkins |
F
|
2.03
|
| Mindaugas Katelynas |
F
|
2.05
|
| Marko Micevic |
G
|
1.98
|
| Joey Beard |
C
|
2.10
|
| Yohann Sangare |
G
|
1.93
|
| Head Coach: Piero Bucchi |
|
|
|
|
Veteran playmaker Bulleri is the leader both on and off the floor. As both a scorer and a passer, he sets the tone for the club. Bulleri will help a pair of younger point guards, long and lithe Yohann Sangare and newcomer Ariel Filloy, lift their games to the next level. Sangare has a year of Euroleague experience under his belt, while Filloy will be learning the ropes. Sangare's ability to contribute to the team's offensive flow and defensive ball pressure could be the key to Milano's backcourt. Vitali's multi-faceted game should enhance the guard rotation's versatilty because he has the skills to play alongside any if his new teammates in an array of sets. Hawkins can be counted on to set the tone on defense from the guard-forward swing position. His athleticism and hustle are main reasons why he's one of the great ball thieves in the Euroleague, but that doesn't take away from his scoring ability. Mordente returns to Milano for the second time in his career knowing that his brand of feisty basketball and the ability to knock down big shots will help him reconnect with the fans. Thomas, who will look to prove himself in the Euroleague for the first time, adds to the team's collection of perimeter threats, while rookie Marko Micevic adds depth on the wings.
 Bucchi can hope that his team dominates the glass behind an impressive collection of big men who have noses for the ball. Rocca has the most Euroleague experience of the bunch, having led the competition in offensive rebounds just two seasons ago. Though somewhat undersized at center, he more than makes up for that in heart. Sow is the most physically intimidating player on the roster, whose power moves in the paint put fear into many defenders. Hall is another Euroleague debutant, who can bang inside or pick up points with his mid-range game. He, too, is considered a top-notch defender. Katelynas, who joined the team last season, proved to be an exciting reserve. His energy and athleticism give Milano a charge whenever he takes the floor.
Milano will be a great place to watch fundamental team basketball this season. With dedicated management and a public following that dates back to the club's great accomplishments of the past, the foundation is solid, and now the groundwork has been laid for a winning team. Thanks to its choice of a roster devoid of superstars, but full of talent, athleticism, experience and desire, look for Milano to defy expectations. It won't be an easy trip, but the commitment to go places this season is beyond doubt for Armani Jeans Milano in the 2008-09 Euroleague.
|
Monday, September 22, 2008
Euroleague.net
|
 Print Send to a Friend Share
|
|