Toronto Raptors: Marco Belinelli a Shooting Star

Marco Belinelli, the 18th pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2007, came to the NBA at the age of 21 after five professional seasons in the top division in Italy. Belinelli was highly coveted by the Raptors who were reported trying to obtain an additional draft pick to select him.  No deal materialized and the Italian player fell to Golden State. Contrary to ESPN’s Hollinger scouting report that states “Belinelli...Euroleague translations predicted: ...a decent scoring rate with a bad shooting percentage”, both Brian Colangelo and Maurizio Gherardini knew this kid could shoot! In Belinelli’s last two seasons playing for Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna in Italy, Marco averaged 14 ppg and shot 52 percent for two and shot seven threes per game making 37.5 percent of them.  Scouting reports described Belinelli as being able to hit threes from anywhere on the floor. Marco Belinelli has been described as a good ball handler with a good first step and the ability to finish at the rim.  An...