By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan president Pantaleo Dell’Orco, Giorgio Armani’s right hand, discussed various topics surrounding the Italian club with La Gazzetta Dello Sport. Livio Proli’s successor went on to explain Milan’s take on Mike James’ departure and also revealed that the team wanted to sign Dwyane Wade in the summer.
“He was under contract with us.” Dell’Orco mentioned on James, “He talked to Ettore Messian twice and meanwhile he started playing tournaments with friends in the United States. This is not professional.”
“This summer we wanted to sign an important NBA player.” he said on Wade, “We were interested in Dwyane Wade but we took some time.”
“Two weeks ago Messina talked with Manu Ginobili and the idea of signing Scola came up.” added Milan’s president, “He is the kind of player that coach and ownership like.”
Gentile and Messina
“I spoke about him with Messina. But it looked a bit premature. The idea is to watch him in action this season,” Dell’Orco replied to a question on a potential Alessandro Gentile comeback.
“Armani and I met with Maurizio Gherardini. If we had reached an agreement, Pianigiani would have remained as head coach,” he remembered on hiring Messina as head coach and president of basketball operations, “Then we had another idea and we reached out to Ettore Messina asking him if he was available to coach and manage the team. He said that was what he was looking for. We met with him and we reached an agreement in 24 hours.”