Andrea Bargnani "extremely excited" about Brooklyn Nets season

Other than the slight sprain to his left ankle suffered last week, Andrea Bargani is healthy.  For the first time in four years, he's playing for Team Italy in FIBA Europe. He's said he's ready to put the "crazy bad luck" of his two years with the Knicks behind him and do what he can for the Nets.

In an interview with Kathryn Przybyla, the Nets in-house beat writer, Bargnani talks about how he's excited about both FIBA Europe and the upcoming season in Brooklyn.

"I am extremely excited about it and I can’t wait to start training camp," the 29-year-old Bargnani tells Przybyla. "I’m going to do everything it takes to help the team win as many game as possible this season."

Przybyla quotes Billy King as a reminder of what that means, "[Bargnani] will give us the ability to space the floor and complement our other front court players."

Until he hurt his ankle on Friday, Bargnani had played well, getting adjusted to teaming with Italy's three other NBA vets -- Marco Belinelli, Danilo Gallinari and Luigi Datome -- on what could be a FIBA Europe title contender. He says he's already training at an NBA level.

'[T]he way you prepare games for the European Championships is pretty similar to the way you prepare an NBA game. Just think that during the first phase of the tournament we’re going to have five games in six days, so definitely not much time to prepare games."

Although team doctors are still monitoring his left ankle, Bargnani is expected to be ready for the start of Eurobasket next Saturday, when Italy takes on Turkey in Berlin.

• Catching Up with Andrea Bargnani - Kathryn Przybyla - Brooklyn Nets
• Gallery: Bargnani Reps Italy in Eurobasket Action - Brooklyn Nets