2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A

Lega Basket Serie A
Champions	Montepaschi Siena 1st title
Runners-up	Skipper Bologna
Semifinalists	Benetton Treviso Scavolini Pesaro
Relegated	Coop Nordest Trieste Sicilia Messina
Teams	18
Games played	34
Duration	October 4, 2003 – June 5, 2004
Top seed	Montepaschi Siena
Awards
MVP	Gianluca Basile
Finals MVP	David Andersen
Statistical leaders
Points	Charlie Bell 25.5
Rebounds	K'zell Wesson 9.5
Assists	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

Lega Basket 2003–04 – Club Locations

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

Pos	Teams	P	W	L	PF	PA	Qualification or relegation
1	Montepaschi Siena	34	26	8	3014	2746	Playoffs
2^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Skipper Bologna	34	25	9	2941	2730
3^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Benetton Treviso	34	25	9	2943	2640
4	Scavolini Pesaro	34	23	11	2918	2761
5	Pompea Napoli	34	22	12	2858	2808
6	Oregon Scientific Cantù	34	20	14	2835	2816
7	Lottomatica Roma	34	19	15	2712	2653
8	Metis Varese	34	18	16	2906	2905
9	Tris Reggio Calabria	34	16	18	2733	2734
10^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Breil Milano	34	15	19	2744	2737
11^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Lauretana Biella	34	15	19	2756	2759
12^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Snaidero Cucine Udine	34	15	19	2850	2881
13	Euro Roseto	34	14	20	2841	2944
14	Teramo Basket	34	11	23	2765	2984
15^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Mabo Livorno	34	11	23	2360	2623
16^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Air Avellino	34	11	23	2834	2919
17	Coop Nordest Trieste	34	10	24	2518	2842	Relegation to Legadue
18	Sicilia Messina	34	8	26	2768	3024	Relegation to Legadue

Individual Statistics, Regular Season

Points

Rank	Name	Team	PPG
1.	Charlie Bell	Mabo Livorno	25.5
2.	Mario Boni	Teramo Basket	23.8
3.	Alphonso Ford	Scavolini Pesaro	23.5
4.	Mike Penberthy	Pompea Napoli	21.3
5.	Carlton Myers	Lottomatica Roma	20.2

Assists

Rank	Name	Team	APG
1.	Leonardo Busca	Sicilia Messina	4.9
2.	Gianmarco Pozzecco	Skipper Bologna	4.2
3.	Tyus Edney	Benetton Treviso	3.8
4.	Robert Fultz	Skipper Bologna	3.6
5.	Fabio Di Bella	Lauretana Biella	3.5

Rebounds

Rank	Name	Team	RPG
1.	K'zell Wesson	Euro Roseto	9.5
2.	Matt Bonner	Sicilia Messina	9.3
3.	Tyrone Grant	Teramo Basket	8.2
4.	Marquis Estill	Sicilia Messina	7.8
5.	Brooks Sales	Teramo Basket	7.5

Steals

Rank	Name	Team	SPG
1.	Nate Green	Air Avellino	3.9
2.	Alvin Sims	Coop Nordest Trieste	3.5
3.	Jerry McCullough	Metis Varese	3.0
4.	Hugo Sconochini	Breil Milano	3.0
5.	Fabio Di Bella	Lauretana Biella	2.7

Blocks

Rank	Name	Team	BPG
1.	Benjamin Eze	Tris Reggio Calabria	1.5
2.	Bud Eley	Scavolini Pesaro	1.3
3.	Alessandro Tonolli	Lottomatica Roma	1.1
4.	Michele Maggioli	Air Avellino	1.0
5.	Marquis Estill	Sicilia Messina	1.0

Valuation

Rank	Name	Team	VPG
1.	Tyrone Grant	Teramo Basket	24.5
2.	Matt Bonner	Sicilia Messina	22.8
3.	Tyus Edney	Benetton Treviso	22.5
4.	Alphonso Ford	Scavolini Pesaro	21.8
5.	Jorge Garbajosa	Benetton Treviso	19.9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A

Teams

Season narrative

Preseason

Regular season

Playoffs

Regular season

Individual Statistics, Regular Season

Points

Assists

Rebounds

Steals

Blocks

Valuation

Play-offs

Montepaschi Siena vs. Metis Varese

Scavolini Pesaro vs. Pompea Napoli

Benetton Treviso vs. Oregon Scientific Cantù

Skipper Bologna vs. Lottomatica Roma

Semifinals

Montepaschi Siena vs. Scavolini Pesaro

Skipper Bologna vs. Benetton Treviso

Finals

Montepaschi Siena vs. Skipper Bologna

Supercup

All Star Game

Cup

Awards

Notes

References

External links

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

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

LBA

2016–17 teams	Banco di Sardegna Sassari Betaland Capo d'Orlando Brescia Leonessa Consultinvest Pesaro Dolomiti Energia Trento EA7 Emporio Armani Milano Enel Brindisi Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia Juvecaserta Openjobmetis Varese Pallacanestro Cantù Sidigas Avellino The Flexx Pistoia Umana Reyer Venezia Vanoli Cremona

Seasons	1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17

Awards	Most Valuable Player Finals MVP Best Player Under 22 Best Coach Best Executive

Statistical leaders	Stats Leaders Scoring Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks

Other articles	Italian Cup Italian Supercup Italian Clubs In Europe All Star Game Italian Basketball Hall of Fame Lega Basket Italian League System

Category

International men's basketball

FIBA National teams Olympics World Cup Universiade U-21 World Championship U-19 World Championship U-17 World Championship World Rankings

Africa	FIBA Africa – AfroBasket U-18 U-16

Americas	FIBA Americas – FIBA Americas Championship U-18 U-16

Asia	FIBA Asia – FIBA Asia Cup U-18 U-16

Europe	FIBA Europe – EuroBasket U-20 U-18 U-16

Oceania	FIBA Oceania – FIBA Oceania Championship U-20 U-18 U-16

Other tournaments	Acropolis Tournament Adecco Cup Albert Schweitzer Tournament African Games Asian Games Commonwealth Games Belgrade Trophy Diamond Ball FIBA Asia Challenge FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament Lusophony Games Marchand Cup Mediterranean Games MVP Cup Stanković Cup Pan American Games Pan Arab Games South American Championship South Asian Games TBF International Under-16 Tournament William Jones Cup World Cup (Turkey)

Note: The Under-21 Championship is no longer held.