LAS VEGAS — Andrea Bargnani is thrilled to get out of a “weird’’ situation in Toronto with a chance at new life as a Knick.
Saying he is “really starving to win,’’ the enigmatic 7-foot center from Rome believes he is joining a franchise destined to go far in the playoffs — something that never materialized in Canada.
During Thursday’s introductory conference call, Bargnani sounded relieved to now make his basketball home in the U.S.
“I had a weird experience in Toronto,’’ Bargnani said. “I had good years and the last couple of years were bad. When you lose there’s going to be frustration. I’m going to do as much as possible and everything I can to help this team win.’’
Though Bargnani faced tons of pressure in Toronto as the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, he will be under the microscope here too. Unless the Knicks net Metta World Peace, he’s essentially the Knicks’ marquee summer addition. At least he has Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton to take the load off. When Chris Bosh departed for Miami three years ago, Bargnani couldn’t handle being No. 1 with the Raptors.
“I’m not worried about second, third option,’’ Bargnani said. “It’s all about winning here. Doing as much as possible. I’m really starving to win.
“I think we can play against anybody,’’ Bargnani added. “This team can go very far. I’m glad to be here. I just can’t wait to start.’’
Iman Shumpert, in Vegas for the Knicks summer league, raved about the team’s new big man. Bargnani is a dangerous 3-point threat and has post-up ability.
“I know he can score the ball, man,’’ Shumpert said. “God, he killed us when we played. He can play basketball. I like how he plays the game. He’s a big threat offensively. I think he will stretch the floor a lot.’’
Bargnani played just 35 games last season because of wrist/elbow injuries. Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Bargnani needs to become a better rebounder after averaging just 4.5 boards in his career.
“I got to get better in many aspects of the game,’’ Bargnani said. “I had so many injuries. Last year was tough for me. I’m looking forward to helping the team in many ways.’’
Bargnani was booed in Toronto the past two seasons.
“It wasn’t easy,’’ he said. “Everyone was frustrated. There was a lot of frustration in Toronto because of the losing. When you’re the leading scorer of the team, you got all the pressure. They have their right to express their feelings.’’
Bargnani has no ill effects from last season’s ailments. He will begin training with the Italian National Team in August as it prepares for the European Championships Sept. 4.
“I’m 100 percent healthy now,’’ Bargnani said. “I’ll play with the national team this summer, training with the team and getting into shape.’’
* While the Knicks want to sign a third point guard, Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald has visions of Shumpert playing some point guard this season and wants to evaluate him in that role during summer-league that begins today when the Knicks face New Orleans.
“We need another player to play point guard,’’ Grunwald said. “We’ll see how Shump does in the summer league. It’s always a possibility.’’
The Knicks will want to see how Shumpert and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. work together as a backcourt tandem. Shumpert was drafted as a combo guard but when he returned from ACL surgery in January, he was kept strictly as a wing player.
“They didn’t want to throw me in the fire,’’ Shumpert said.