Lega Basket Serie A
Season2003–04
DurationOctober 4, 2003 – June 5, 2004
Number of games34
Number of teams18
Regular season
Top seedMontepaschi Siena
Season MVPItaly Gianluca Basile
RelegatedCoop Nordest Trieste
Sicilia Messina
Finals
ChampionsMontepaschi Siena
1st title
  Runners-upSkipper Bologna
SemifinalistsBenetton Treviso
Scavolini Pesaro
Finals MVPAustralia David Andersen
Statistical leaders
Points United States Charlie Bell 25.5
Rebounds United States K'zell Wesson 9.5
Assists Italy Leonardo Busca 4.9

The 2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A, known as the Serie A TIM for sponsorship reasons, was the 82nd season of the Lega Basket Serie A, the highest professional basketball league in Italy.

The regular season ran from October 4, 2003 to May 9, 2004, 18 teams played 34 games each. The top 8 teams made the play-offs whilst the two lowest ranked teams, Coop Nordest Trieste and Sicilia Messina, were relegated to the Legadue.

Montepaschi Siena won their first ever title by winning the playoff finals series against Skipper Bologna.

Teams

Team City Arena Capacity
Air Avellino Avellino Palasport Del Mauro 5,195
Benetton Treviso Treviso PalaVerde 5,344
Breil Milano Milan Mediolanum Forum 12,331
Coop Nordest Trieste Trieste PalaTrieste 6,943
Euro Roseto Roseto degli Abruzzi PalaMaggetti 4,000
Lauretana Biella Biella Lauretana Biella Forum 5,007
Lottomatica Roma Rome Palazzetto dello Sport 3,500
Mabo Livorno Livorno PalaLivorno Algida 8,033
Metis Varese Varese PalaWhirlpool 5,100
Montepaschi Siena Siena PalaEstra 5,070
Oregon Scientific Cantù Cantù Mapooro Arena 3,910
Pompea Napoli Naples PalaBarbuto 5,000
Scavolini Pesaro Pesaro Adriatic Arena 6,119
Sicilia Messina Messina PalaSanFilippo 5,500
Skipper Bologna Bologna PalaDozza 5,700
Snaidero Cucine Udine Udine PalaCarnera 3,850
Teramo Basket Teramo PalaScapriano 3,559
Tris Reggio Calabria Reggio Calabria PalaCalafiore 7,000

Season narrative

Preseason

The league signed a three-year sponsorship contract with mobile phone company TIM in September 2003, award the naming rights for the competition.[1]

Prior to the start of play, in August 2003, Virtus Bologna were excluded from the league due to financial irregularities (namely unpaid wages), they were replaced by Sicilia Messina, the losing finalist of the preceding year's Legadue, a proposal to expand the league to 20 clubs and thus include both clubs was not approved.[2][3]

Reigning champions Benetton Treviso were seen as the favourites to retain their title, teams Lottomatica Roma, Scavolini Pesaro, Montepaschi Siena and Skipper Bologna were seen as the main challengers, with Air Avellino, Coop Nordest Trieste, Mabo Livorno and above all Sicilia Messina seen as the clubs fighting to avoid relegation.[4]

Regular season

Montepaschi Sienna finished first in the league for the first time of their history, Skipper Bologna and Benetton Treviso finished equal on points in second place but Skipper was 2-0 in their direct confrontations and hence superseded Treviso. The title was strongly expected to be disputed between these three teams.[5]

At the other end of the standings, late promotee Sicilia Messina predictably struggled on the court - a relegation confirmed in the penultimate round seen as an achievement - and off the court, with financial problems and a perceived disinterest by the public.[6] The other relegated team Coop Nordest Trieste also struggled financially (along with some other Serie A teams),[7] both would declare bankruptcy in the course of the following year.

Playoffs

After reaching the finals for a historic first time, Montepaschi Sienna won its first championship after winning all of its playoff games.[8] Losing finalist Skipper Bologna's prior defeat of Benetton Treviso meant that Benetton, who had won the last two editions, did not compete in the final for only the second time in six years.[9]

Regular season

PosTeamsPWLPFPAQualification or relegation
1Montepaschi Siena3426830142746 Playoffs
2[lower-alpha 1]Skipper Bologna3425929412730
3[lower-alpha 1]Benetton Treviso3425929432640
4Scavolini Pesaro34231129182761
5Pompea Napoli34221228582808
6Oregon Scientific Cantù34201428352816
7Lottomatica Roma34191527122653
8Metis Varese34181629062905
9Tris Reggio Calabria34161827332734
10[lower-alpha 1]Breil Milano34151927442737
11[lower-alpha 1]Lauretana Biella34151927562759
12[lower-alpha 1]Snaidero Cucine Udine34151928502881
13Euro Roseto34142028412944
14Teramo Basket34112327652984
15[lower-alpha 1]Mabo Livorno34112323602623
16[lower-alpha 1]Air Avellino34112328342919
17Coop Nordest Trieste34102425182842 Relegation to Legadue
18Sicilia Messina3482627683024

Individual statistics, regular season

Points

Rank Name Team PPG
1.United States Charlie BellMabo Livorno25.5
2.Italy Mario BoniTeramo Basket23.8
3.United States Alphonso FordScavolini Pesaro23.5
4.United States Mike PenberthyPompea Napoli21.3
5.Italy Carlton MyersLottomatica Roma20.2

Assists

Rank Name Team APG
1.Italy Leonardo BuscaSicilia Messina4.9
2.Italy Gianmarco PozzeccoSkipper Bologna4.2
3.United States Tyus EdneyBenetton Treviso3.8
4.Italy Robert FultzSkipper Bologna3.6
5.Italy Fabio Di BellaLauretana Biella3.5

Rebounds

Rank Name Team RPG
1.United States K'zell WessonEuro Roseto9.5
2.United States Matt BonnerSicilia Messina9.3
3.United States Tyrone GrantTeramo Basket8.2
4.United States Marquis EstillSicilia Messina7.8
5.United States Brooks SalesTeramo Basket7.5

Steals

Rank Name Team SPG
1.United States Nate GreenAir Avellino3.9
2.United States Alvin SimsCoop Nordest Trieste3.5
3.United States Jerry McCulloughMetis Varese3.0
4.Argentina Hugo SconochiniBreil Milano3.0
5.Italy Fabio Di BellaLauretana Biella2.7

Blocks

Rank Name Team BPG
1.Nigeria Benjamin EzeTris Reggio Calabria1.5
2.United States Bud EleyScavolini Pesaro1.3
3.Italy Alessandro TonolliLottomatica Roma1.1
4.Italy Michele MaggioliAir Avellino1.0
5.United States Marquis EstillSicilia Messina1.0

Valuation

Rank Name Team VPG
1.United States Tyrone GrantTeramo Basket24.5
2.United States Matt BonnerSicilia Messina22.8
3.United States Tyus EdneyBenetton Treviso22.5
4.United States Alphonso FordScavolini Pesaro21.8
5.Spain Jorge GarbajosaBenetton Treviso19.9

Play-offs

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Montepaschi Siena 3
8 Metis Varese 0
1 Montepaschi Siena 3
4 Scavolini Pesaro 0
4 Scavolini Pesaro 3
5 Pompea Napoli 2
1 Montepaschi Siena 3
2 Skipper Bologna 0
3 Benetton Treviso 3
6 Oregon Scientific Cantù 0
2 Skipper Bologna 3
3 Benetton Treviso 0
2 Skipper Bologna 3
7 Lottomatica Roma 0

Montepaschi Siena vs. Metis Varese

13 May
20:30
Montepaschi Siena 107, Metis Varese 77
Scoring by quarter: 32–13, 26–20, 22–22, 27–22
Pts: Chiacig, Kakiouzis 21
Rebs: Chiacig 10
Asts: Vrbica Stefanov 8		 Pts: Francesco Vescovi 21
Rebs: Dragan Ćeranić 8
Asts: Jerry McCullough 7
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Fabio Facchini, Carmelo Paternico, Davide Ramilli
15 May
20:30
Metis Varese 75, Montepaschi Siena 87
Scoring by quarter: 16–19, 17–21, 23–20, 19–27
Pts: Dan Callahan 19
Rebs: Dan Callahan 15
Asts: Daniel Farabello 3		 Pts: Bootsy Thornton 22
Rebs: Bootsy Thornton 6
Asts: David Vanterpool 5
PalaWhirlpool, Varese
Referees: Luciano Tola, Enrico Sabetta, Gianluca Mattioli
18 May
20:30
Montepaschi Siena 103, Metis Varese 76
Scoring by quarter: 33–15, 21–18, 27–23, 22–20
Pts: David Vanterpool 23
Rebs: three players 6
Asts: David Vanterpool 8		 Pts: Melvin Sanders 21
Rebs: Dan Callahan 9
Asts: Daniel Farabello 4
Siena wins series 3–0
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Stefano Cazzaro, Luigi Lamonica, Roberto Nardecchia

Scavolini Pesaro vs. Pompea Napoli

13 May
20:30
Scavolini Pesaro 79, Pompea Napoli 72
Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 16–24, 19–19, 29–8
Pts: Marko Milič 17
Rebs: Eley, Milič 6
Asts: Aleksandar Đorđević 4		 Pts: Mike Penberthy 19
Rebs: Andersen, Davison 6
Asts: Mike Penberthy 4
Adriatic Arena, Pesaro
Referees: Fabio Facchini, Luciano Tola, Paolo Taurino
21 May
20:30
Pompea Napoli 92, Scavolini Pesaro 77
Scoring by quarter: 20–19, 19–18, 29–19, 24–21
Pts: Mike Penberthy 24
Rebs: Óscar Torres 9
Asts: Jerome Allen 4		 Pts: Marko Milič 17
Rebs: Marko Milič 9
Asts: Đorđević, Milič 2
PalaBarbuto, Naples
Referees: Giampaolo Cicoria, Guerrino Cerebuch, Massimiliano Filippini
18 May
20:30
Scavolini Pesaro 79, Pompea Napoli 72
Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 16–24, 19–19, 29–8
Pts: Marko Milič 17
Rebs: Eley, Milič 6
Asts: Aleksandar Đorđević 4		 Pts: Mike Penberthy 19
Rebs: Andersen, Davison 6
Asts: Mike Penberthy 4
Adriatic Arena, Pesaro
Referees: Fabio Facchini, Luciano Tola, Paolo Taurino
20 May
20:30
Pompea Napoli 86, Scavolini Pesaro 78
Scoring by quarter: 27–21, 19–20, 18–19, 22–18
Pts: Bennett Davison 32
Rebs: Michael Andersen 13
Asts: Jerome Allen 4		 Pts: Ford, Scarone 17
Rebs: Milič, Scarone 4
Asts: Đorđević, Scarone 2
PalaBarbuto, Naples
Referees: Alberto Grossi, Luigi Lamonica, Enrico Sabetta
22 May
20:30
Scavolini Pesaro 86, Pompea Napoli 75
Scoring by quarter: 26–22', 18–15, 15–18, 27–20
Pts: Marko Milič 17
Rebs: Bud Eley 9
Asts: Marko Milič 3		 Pts: Bennett Davison 22
Rebs: Michael Andersen 6
Asts: three players 2
Pesaro wins series 3–2
Adriatic Arena, Pesaro
Referees: Stefano Cazzaro, Pierluigi D'Este, Guerrino Cerebuch

Benetton Treviso vs. Oregon Scientific Cantù

13 May
20:30
Benetton Treviso 96, Oregon Scientific Cantù 76
Scoring by quarter: 25–17, 18–22, 32–16, 21–21
Pts: Tyus Edney 21
Rebs: Ademola Okulaja 6
Asts: Riccardo Pittis 7		 Pts: Nate Johnson 21
Rebs: Shaun Stonerook 8
Asts: Dante Calabria 4
PalaVerde, Treviso
Referees: Luciano Tola, Paolo Taurino, Massimiliano Filippini
15 May
20:30
Oregon Scientific Cantù 62, Benetton Treviso 70
Scoring by quarter: 16–17, 18–16, 16–11, 12–26
Pts: Nate Johnson 17
Rebs: Shaun Stonerook 7
Asts: Johnson, Stonerook 2		 Pts: Ademola Okulaja 18
Rebs: Denis Marconato 8
Asts: Jermaine Jackson 3
Mapooro Arena, Cantù
Referees: Gennaro Colucci, Fabio Facchini, Carmelo Lo Guzzo
18 May
20:30
Benetton Treviso 97, Oregon Scientific Cantù 60
Scoring by quarter: 31–14, 27–16, 17–17, 22–13
Pts: Ademola Okulaja 21
Rebs: Ademola Okulaja 8
Asts: Jermaine Jackson 5		 Pts: Nate Johnson 20
Rebs: Sam Hines 11
Asts: Tyson Wheeler 4
Treviso wins series 3–0
PalaVerde, Treviso
Referees: Alberto Grossi, Carmelo Paternico, Gianluca Mattioli

Skipper Bologna vs. Lottomatica Roma

13 May
20:45
Skipper Bologna 88, Lottomatica Roma 84
Scoring by quarter: 25–16, 19–19, 25–30, 19–19
Pts: Miloš Vujanić 23
Rebs: three players 7
Asts: Carlos Delfino 4		 Pts: Marko Tušek 21
Rebs: Tonolli, Tušek 8
Asts: Carlton Myers 4
PalaDozza, Bologna
Referees: Giampaolo Cicoria, Enrico Sabetta, Carmelo Lo Guzzo
15 May
20:30
Lottomatica Roma 73, Skipper Bologna 75
Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 21–19, 13–17, 20–19
Pts: Myers, Tušek 16
Rebs: Jay Larrañaga 6
Asts: Myers, McLeod 4		 Pts: Basile, Guyton 17
Rebs: Matjaž Smodiš 7
Asts: Carlos Delfino 2
Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome
Referees: Stefano Cazzaro, Carmelo Paternico, Pierluigi D'Este
18 May
20:30
Skipper Bologna 93, Lottomatica Roma 86
Scoring by quarter: 22–25, 21–24, 15–19, 35–18
Pts: Basile, Guyton 17
Rebs: Matjaž Smodiš 7
Asts: Gianmarco Pozzecco 7		 Pts: Carlton Myers 23
Rebs: Luboš Bartoň 6
Asts: Bonora, McLeod 2
Bologna wins series 3–0
PalaDozza, Bologna
Referees: Gennaro Colucci, Guerrino Cerebuch, Silvio Corrias

Semifinals

Montepaschi Siena vs. Scavolini Pesaro

25 May
20:30
Montepaschi Siena 94, Scavolini Pesaro 67
Scoring by quarter: 20–13, 25–17, 24–22, 25–15
Pts: Vrbica Stefanov 20
Rebs: Roberto Chiacig 8
Asts: Mindaugas Žukauskas 5		 Pts: Milič, Đorđević 11
Rebs: Rodney Elliott 6
Asts: Malaventura, Milič 2
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Gennaro Colucci, Carmelo Paternico, Carmelo Lo Guzzo
27 May
20:30
Scavolini Pesaro 89, Montepaschi Siena 96
Scoring by quarter: 16–17, 23–34, 27–23, 23–22
Pts: Alphonso Ford 27
Rebs: Bud Eley 8
Asts: Alphonso Ford 2		 Pts: Bootsy Thornton 16
Rebs: Andersen, Galanda 6
Asts: Vukčević, Vanterpool 3
Adriatic Arena, Pesaro
Referees: Fabio Facchini, Giampaolo Cicoria, Massimiliano Filippini
29 May
20:30
Montepaschi Siena 100, Scavolini Pesaro 69
Scoring by quarter: 29–20, 29–21, 24–11, 18–17
Pts: Michalis Kakiouzis 20
Rebs: David Andersen 7
Asts: three players 4		 Pts: Marko Milič 15
Rebs: Bud Eley 9
Asts: Teemu Rannikko 3
Siena wins series 3–0
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Luciano Tola - Alberto Grossi - Guerrino Cerebuch

Skipper Bologna vs. Benetton Treviso

25 May
20:30
Skipper Bologna 96, Benetton Treviso 87
Scoring by quarter: 27–29, 29–17, 21–25, 19–16
Pts: Gianluca Basile 21
Rebs: Haris Mujezinović 10
Asts: Gianluca Basile 4		 Pts: Maurice Evans 36
Rebs: Marconato, Okulaja 6
Asts: Riccardo Pittis 3
PalaDozza, Bologna
Referees: Giampaolo Cicoria, Fabio Facchini, Paolo Taurino
27 May
20:30
Benetton Treviso 77, Skipper Bologna 84
Scoring by quarter: 18–19, 14–25, 22–19, 23–21
Pts: Massimo Bulleri 18
Rebs: Marconato, Okulaja 6
Asts: Marcelo Nicola 5		 Pts: Miloš Vujanić 21
Rebs: Carlos Delfino 15
Asts: Goss, Carlos Delfino 5
PalaVerde, Treviso
Referees: Stefano Cazzaro, Pierluigi D'Este, Gianluca Mattioli
29 May
20:30
Skipper Bologna 96, Benetton Treviso 75
Scoring by quarter: 18–18, 27–29, 21–18, 30–10
Pts: Gianluca Basile 32
Rebs: Matjaž Smodiš 7
Asts: Matjaž Smodiš 4		 Pts: Uroš Slokar 17
Rebs: three players 5
Asts: Maurice Evans 4
Bologna wins series 3–0
PalaDozza, Bologna
Referees: Gennaro Colucci, Luigi Lamonica, Enrico Sabetta

Finals

Montepaschi Siena vs. Skipper Bologna

31 May
20:30
Montepaschi Siena 80, Skipper Bologna 70
Scoring by quarter: 11–18, 26–22, 21–8, 22–22
Pts: Vrbica Stefanov 18
Rebs: Thornton, Vanterpool 5
Asts: Thornton, Žukauskas 4		 Pts: Carlos Delfino 22
Rebs: Delfino, Smodiš 6
Asts: Miloš Vujanić 4
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Gennaro Colucci, Giampaolo Cicoria, Enrico Sabetta
2 June
20:30
Skipper Bologna 68, Montepaschi Siena 75
Scoring by quarter: 20–26, 16–19, 24–10, 8–20
Pts: Carlos Delfino 15
Rebs: Delfino, Mancinelli 6
Asts: Miloš Vujanić 4		 Pts: Bootsy Thornton 26
Rebs: Andersen, Thornton 7
Asts: Stefanov, Thornton 2
PalaDozza, Bologna
Referees: Fabio Facchini, Luciano Tola, Guerrino Cerebuch
5 June
15:30
Montepaschi Siena 92, Skipper Bologna 63
Scoring by quarter: 18–14, 26–21, 26–18, 22–10
Pts: Bootsy Thornton 30
Rebs: David Andersen 11
Asts: Vrbica Stefanov 3		 Pts: Carlos Delfino 21
Rebs: three players 5
Asts: Miloš Vujanić 4
Siena wins series 3–0
PalaEstra, Siena
Referees: Stefano Cazzaro, Luigi Lamonica, Carmelo Parternico

Supercup

The Italian Basketball Supercup opened the season on September 27, 2003 in the PalaVerde in Treviso, it pitted reigning champions and 2002-03 cup holders Benetton Treviso against Oregon Scientific Cantù, finalists in the previous year's cup.[10] Cantù upset Benetton 85-79 to win its first trophy in 12 years, with Nate Johnson named MVP for his first game in Italy.[11]

All Star Game

The All Star Game was played in Genoa on December 13, 2004 in the newly opened PalaFiumara. The foreign All Stars beat Italy, bronze medalists at EuroBasket 2003, 106-99 after coming back from behind 55-26 down to force an overtime. Maurice Evans was designated MVP whilst Michele Mian won the three point shootout.[12][13]

Cup

The Cup was contested between 25 February and 28 February in the PalaFiera(in Italian) in Forlì between the 8 best ranked teams of the first phase of the league. Benetton Treviso won the cup for the second successive season, beating Scavolini Pesaro 85-76, Jorge Garbajosa was named as the Final Eight MVP.[14][15]

Awards

Italy Gianluca Basile (Skipper Bologna)
Italy Carlo Recalcati (Montepaschi Siena)[16]
Australia David Andersen (Montepaschi Siena)[17]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ranking by head-to-head record in case of tie.

References

  1. ↑ "Presentation of the new season." Archived 2015-10-05 at the Wayback Machine, La Provincia via Lega Basket, 28 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  2. ↑ "Virtus Bologna is no more."La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma, 4 August 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  3. ↑ "Virtus is out, Messina retaken." Archived 2018-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, Messaggero Veneto – Giornale del Friuli via Lega Basket, 1 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  4. ↑ "Ramagli and the opponents." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, la Repubblica via Lega Basket, 9 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  5. ↑ Fuochi, Walter. "Basketball decides its playoffs." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, la Repubblica via Lega Basket, 10 May 2004. Retrieved on 5 June 2015.(in Italian)
  6. ↑ Tartamella, Fabio. "Sicilia Basket's dream finished in debts and defeats.." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, la Repubblica via Lega Basket, 7 May 2004. Retrieved on 5 June 2015.(in Italian)
  7. ↑ "Trieste is trimming.", Messaggero Veneto – Giornale del Friuli via Lega Basket, 7 June 2004. Retrieved on 5 June 2015.(in Italian)
  8. ↑ Franco, Simone. "Great Siena the Italian champion." Archived 2016-11-12 at the Wayback MachineLa Gazzetta dello Sport via Lega Basket, 5 June 2004. Retrieved on 6 June 2015.(in Italian)
  9. ↑ Maffei, Luigi. "Basile sends Benetton on holiday: Siena-Bologna final." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Il Gazzettino via Lega Basket, 30 May 2004. Retrieved on 6 June 2015.(in Italian)
  10. ↑ "The latest on the Supercup.", Lega Basket, 26 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  11. ↑ "Cantù wins in front of 800 fans." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, La Provincia via Lega Basket, 28 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  12. ↑ "Italy falls by a point in overtime.", Il Piccolo via Lega Basket, 14 December 2003. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  13. ↑ "All Star Game – all the results." Archived 2012-03-28 at the Wayback Machine, Lega Basket. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  14. ↑ "From tomorrow in Forlì: eight good reasons to win.", la Repubblica via Lega Basket, 24 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  15. ↑ Vatrella, Davide. "Benetton is the true queen of the Cup.", La Tribuna di Treviso via Lega Basket, 29 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 June 2015.(in Italian)
  16. ↑ "Basile and Recalcati voted athlete and coach of the year." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Lega Basket, 1 June 2004. Retrieved on 6 June 2015.(in Italian)
  17. ↑ "Andersen MVP of the champion Montepaschi." Archived 2019-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, Lega Basket, 6 June 2004. Retrieved on 6 June 2015.(in Italian)
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