2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A
# 2003–04 Lega Basket Serie A

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.

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.

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.

### 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.

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.

The other relegated team Coop Nordest Trieste also struggled financially (along with some other Serie A teams), 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. 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.

## Regular season

| Pos | Teams | P | W | L | PF | PA | Qualification or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Montepaschi Siena | 34 | 26 | 8 | 3014 | 2746 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Skipper Bologna | 34 | 25 | 9 | 2941 | 2730 | Playoffs |
| 3 | Benetton Treviso | 34 | 25 | 9 | 2943 | 2640 | Playoffs |
| 4 | Scavolini Pesaro | 34 | 23 | 11 | 2918 | 2761 | Playoffs |
| 5 | Pompea Napoli | 34 | 22 | 12 | 2858 | 2808 | Playoffs |
| 6 | Oregon Scientific Cantù | 34 | 20 | 14 | 2835 | 2816 | Playoffs |
| 7 | Lottomatica Roma | 34 | 19 | 15 | 2712 | 2653 | Playoffs |
| 8 | Metis Varese | 34 | 18 | 16 | 2906 | 2905 | Playoffs |
| 9 | Tris Reggio Calabria | 34 | 16 | 18 | 2733 | 2734 |
| 10 | Breil Milano | 34 | 15 | 19 | 2744 | 2737 |
| 11 | Lauretana Biella | 34 | 15 | 19 | 2756 | 2759 |
| 12 | 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 | Mabo Livorno | 34 | 11 | 23 | 2360 | 2623 |
| 16 | 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 | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Montepaschi Siena | 3 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Metis Varese | 0 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Metis Varese | 0 | 1 | Montepaschi Siena | 3 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Scavolini Pesaro | 0 | | | |
| 4 | Scavolini Pesaro | 3 | 4 | Scavolini Pesaro | 0 | | | |
| 5 | Pompea Napoli | 2 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Pompea Napoli | 2 | | | | 1 | Montepaschi Siena | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Skipper Bologna | 0 |
| 3 | Benetton Treviso | 3 | | | | | | | 2 | Skipper Bologna | 0 |
| 6 | Oregon Scientific Cantù | 0 | | | | | | |
| 6 | Oregon Scientific Cantù | 0 | 2 | Skipper Bologna | 3 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Benetton Treviso | 0 | | | |
| 2 | Skipper Bologna | 3 | 3 | Benetton Treviso | 0 | | | |
| 7 | Lottomatica Roma | 0 | | | | | | |

### Montepaschi Siena vs. Metis Varese

* 13 May 20:30
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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
* Boxscore

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. Cantù upset Benetton 85-79 to win its first trophy in 12 years, with Nate Johnson named MVP for his first game in Italy.

## 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.

## 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.

## Awards

* Most Valuable Player:

    Gianluca Basile (Skipper Bologna)
* Coach of the year:

    Carlo Recalcati (Montepaschi Siena)
* Finals MVP:

    David Andersen (Montepaschi Siena)
