It is clear by now that Andrea Bargnani never will live up to the Dirk Nowitzki comparisons he has been saddled with. But Dwane Casey, the former Dallas assistant who knows the ins and outs of Nowitzki’s game like few others, still sees similarities and will run similar plays for Bargnani that Rick Carlisle drew up for Nowitzki.

“He’s one of the best shooters in the world and we want to make sure we utilize that,” said Casey.

“I know a lot of people don’t like that (Nowitzki) comparison, but I know how those sets turn out and how they work. We’ll have a lot of sets for him. Inside-outside, because he has that great skill-set.”

Casey said he will force Bargnani to improve offensively by doing things he has shied away from in the past.

“Andrea’s next step is accepting the contact inside. Initializing, (being a) physical, post up player and taking advantage of his size in the paint. We’re going to run a lot of sets for him to get the ball to him inside that’s what’s going to help keep the other teams off balance ... it’s going to help him as an all-around player because teams can’t key on (only his outside game).”