Marco Belinelli details his journey from the Italian youth leagues to winning an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in his autobiography, Pokerface, published by Baldini&Castoldi.
Collaborating with Alessandro Mamoli on the Memoir
Co-authored with basketball commentator Alessandro Mamoli, born in Rho in 1973, the book chronicles Belinelli’s early beginnings with Virtus Bologna and his subsequent transfer to Fortitudo Bologna. Mamoli played as a talented youth player in the Olimpia Milano youth sector, has worked as a journalist since 2007, and served as a television commentator for NBA and NCAA championships on Sky Sport and later Prime Video. The memoir details the guard’s path through the NBA, highlighting his stints with the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs, where he became the first Italian player to win an NBA title in 2014.
Teammates Defuse Media Scrutiny over Social Media Messages
The autobiography opens up about life behind the scenes in professional basketball, including media scrutiny faced in San Antonio after social media messages with a fan—a situation the team, led by Manu Ginobili, helped defuse. In the chapter dedicated to the Toronto Raptors, Belinelli addresses the cultural gap between European and American players, noting how the arrival of Hedo Turkoglu failed to produce the expected results and team chemistry for a roster built with a strong European presence.
Overcoming Friction in Golden State
The book addresses professional friction during Belinelli’s time with the Golden State Warriors, where head coach Don Nelson did not provide the playing time the player felt he deserved, leading to trade rumors that affected him. Conversely, the memoir highlights moments of mutual respect on the hardwood, such as a physical screen set by Kevin Garnett that dropped Belinelli to the floor following a 22-point performance for Golden State.
Authors and Background
Marco Stefano Belinelli was born in San Giovanni in Persiceto in 1986. He is a former professional basketball player who stands 196 centimeters tall and played in the shooting guard position, covering his basketball career up to 2015.
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