Celtics eyeing Italian forward Gigi Datome for next season

[Turgon]

Oh don't get me wrong, if it's a Celtics ponytail (or antennae for that matter), I'll come around. Besides, with the salaries in the NBA I am sure he can afford a personal grooming coach.

you're kidding right..
I hate people who stereo type.
And he looks solid sign him.

No I'm serious. Dead serious. I hate people with pony tails as well as people with 6 fingers on their left hand and people with brown hair that have between 3 and 5 red hairs in their beard.

Damn, man... I fit that "3 to 5 red hairs in their beard" description to a T

[TheSheriff]

you're kidding right..
I hate people who stereo type.
And he looks solid sign him.

No I'm serious. Dead serious. I hate people with pony tails as well as people with 6 fingers on their left hand and people with brown hair that have between 3 and 5 red hairs in their beard.

Damn, man... I fit that "3 to 5 red hairs in their beard" description to a T

[Mass Rig]

He is a late bloomer, in the NBA he is going to be a new Rudy Fernandez at best.

[campybatman]

Datome's isn't in play immediately, since he's still under contract with Virtus Roma, but that deal expires in the offseason. It's unclear how much Datome will be able to command financially, but if a bidding war ensues, the Celtics would be somewhat handicapped. Boston will likely be over the cap this summer, meaning the team couldn't exceed the mid-level exception to bring him or anyone else aboard. The first-year salary is set at $5.15MM for next year's full mid-level.

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2013/03/celt ... atome.html

[cloverleaf]

I'm just glad nobody's stereotyping a man who goes by 'Gigi'!

[CaptainFanchini]

lol

BTW his name is "Luigi" ... while the nickname/shortname is Gigi ... just like Carmelo Anthony's "Melo" ...

[Toxicity]

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/luigi-datome

Strengths: Datome is a natural born all-around talent that can do anything with the ball. He plays 1-on-1 very well, has a great first step and nice moves around the basket where he usually finishes with athletic plays. Has soft touch from any distance, especially from the middle and under the basket. Shoots well from 3 too but has to improve in regularity and consistency. Deadly low post movements allow him to score easily. Excels in fast break, thanks to his speed and coordination. Runs coast-to-coast showing his smooth and smart moves and his good ball-handling skills too. Although a scorer, he's an unselfish team player who knows how pass the ball to his mates. Moreover he usually shoots in high percentages, even from FT line. Physically has good wingspan and exciting leaping ability. He loves rise above the rim for dunks and blocks. He's a great rebounder, with right timing and plays with intensity and confidence. Has also showed very good work attitude and excellent maturity considering he's only 16!

Weaknesses: At first look he's a little skinny but probably his body hasn't fully developed so it can improve. Needs bulk up and add strength, especially for the upper part of his body. Right now he's playing as tweener but he's projected at the 3 position so he has to work hard. Must speed up his shot release time from any distance like a real perimeter player. On defense he puts too much emphasis on his athletic skills trying to block shots or steal the ball. Must improve 1-on-1 defense on shorter opponents, but has very good lateral foot speed so he can become very good. Mentally needs to become focused at all times but it's normal for a guy born in 1987. Can he eventually fit the NBA SF position well?

Notes: Luigi Datome was a legitimate MVP of the European Championships 2003 for Cadets in Spain. He finished 1st in scoring (21.1 ppg), 3rd in total rebounds (11.7 rpg) and appeared in the field goal and free throws top 10 charts.

He can rule a basketball game at junior level, playing mainly near the basket. The question is: can Datome do the same at highest level? The answer is absolutely not... if he won't grow up at least to 6-10: it isn't impossible, but improbable! However this italian guy has the skills to become a real SF and having great impact on the game.

2004 Scouting report on him...

[jcappy]

It seems strange to see him described as skinny and in need of development... The guy is 25 years old and looks like the size of Larry Bird (at least on film). And he seems to dunk right over three defenders.

As to long hair... if it's a feasible sport (harder in basketball) then do it by all means. The more diversity the better. Melo, Gigi, welcome all to my NBA.

[Bluewhale]

I am curious how much we could offer? We are deadly close to be the apron. I wonder if we could offer full MLE or just mini MLE?

2012-2013 NBA Season.

$58 million – Salary Cap
$70 million – Luxury Tax Threshold
$74 million – Apron Amount (Hard cap for a team that uses the full $5 mid-level exception)

[celticpride17]

heck no! I hate pony tails on men plus he has a girls name ,he might as well get a sex change operation and be the 1st woman nba player!(just kidding) I dont care what he looks like as long as he can play!!!

[ermocrate]

Apparently Luigi can do more than just shoot from long. Here's an 18 second clip of him slamming on everyone's favorite Turkish Celtic, Semih Erden. The word "schiacciata" translates as "flattened" or "squashed."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPhlQrxY ... r_embedded

This is recommended viewing.

Datome is very long and can really get some sky.

From the video comments: "SuperGigi! Ciao ciao Erden!"

"Schiacciata" actually Transliterates in "Dunk"... The term comes from the sentence "To push the ball in the Basket", in Italian "Schiacciare(to push) la palla(ball) a canestro(basket)".

Datome is a very good player.

[ermocrate]

i'm from italy, so i get to watch him sometimes
pretty athletic guy, could be a good sign but i dont see him at the 4 honestly with his current body frame, neither at the 3 because of green+pierce....

I think he can even play two in NBA...

[ermocrate]

I am curious how much we could offer? We are deadly close to be the apron. I wonder if we could offer full MLE or just mini MLE?

2012-2013 NBA Season.

$58 million – Salary Cap
$70 million – Luxury Tax Threshold
$74 million – Apron Amount (Hard cap for a team that uses the full $5 mid-level exception)

For 2-3 mill per year he will join the NBA rolling... Util there are other higher offers for for other NBA big markets...

[ermocrate]

heck no! I hate pony tails on men plus he has a girls name ,he might as well get a sex change operation and be the 1st woman nba player!(just kidding) I dont care what he looks like as long as he can play!!!

Actually "Gigi" is a name abbreviation that goes for Men and for Women in French and only for Men in Italian... While MANU is used both for Men and Women...

[Toxicity]

http://www.legabaskettv.it/video/5527/la_top_ten_della_22a_giornata

Datome earned #1 position in the Top 10 chart of the week... nice move changing hands mid-air.

[Toxicity]

Danny Ainge in Rome scouting Gigi Datome

After John Hammond of the Bucks and Bryan Colangelo of the Raptors, Danny Ainge was the third NBA manager to travel to Rome to scout Gigi Datome.

The President of the Boston Celtics attended the Serie A game between Virtus Roma and Sidigas Avellino won by the guest 81-75 after one overtime.

Gigi Datome has played 38 minutes scoring 14 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assist but shooting with 27.3% from two points (3/11) and 25% from the arc (2/8).

Danny Ainge is travelling around Europe to scout the most important players from the Old Continent. The Celtics President has been in Croatia to watch Dario Saric and in Greece to scout the new phenomenon Giannis Adetokunbo.

Gigi Datome is the notebook of a lot of NBA teams. The forward of the Italian National Team has one more year on the contract with Virtus Rome but he also has a gentlemen agreement with the owner of the team, Claudio Toti, in case of a call from the NBA next summer.

[campybatman]

I wonder if Ainge is scouting Dragan Bender as well.



Danny Ainge is travelling around Europe to scout the most important players from the Old Continent. The Celtics President has been in Croatia to watch Dario Saric and in Greece to scout the new phenomenon Giannis Adetokunbo.

[FlatearthZorro]

Datome looks pretty decent, as some1 here noted he can be a SG in the NBA.. Him, the kid from Greece with weird name, those are 2 exciting guys who we can pick. Espcially if we manage to trade 1-2 of our wings + 1 big for a true center, it would make a lots of sense.

[Fencer reregistered]

The word "schiacciata" translates as "flattened" or "squashed."

Look at the titles of some of the other Youtube videos next to that one, I'm guessing it's their word for "dunk".

[Marley2Hendrix]

Lots of buzz that Gigi/Bos have agreed to join together following the completion of the Finals. It allegedly is a 3 year deal for the minimum.

http://www.notizie.it/basket-datome-sba ... n-celtics/

Gigi denies that anything has happened on twitter, but it is interesting that this rumor has blown up in the blogosphere and twitter over the last hour.

ETA - conspiracy theory alert. This will be announced after paul is traded/bought out.