A Beasley Gallo of a Yi

Chris Sheridan of espn wrote an article the other day (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=beasleygame3-100423) talking about Miami's displeasure with famed second year player Michael Beasley.

Today I'm reading an NY Daily News article by Julian Garcia (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/04/25/2010-04-25_amare_may_be_out_of_netsknicks_mix.html#ixzz0mDhgcfMV) mentioning the Net's possible desire to trade away the Chinese up and comer Yi Jianlian.


What does this have to do with a Knicks blog??? The numbers...Danilo Gallinari's numbers to be exact. Gallo had a good year this past season despite the Knicks losing season. He posted about 15pts, 5rebs, 2 assists, and almost 1 steal/block per game. He even turned up the offense down the stretch of the season, averaging 20pts per for the month of April...Sweet.


What's just as sweet are the numbers posted by Michael Beasley. Beasley was the second overall pick in the same draft as Gallo, who was picked 6th. Beasley posted nearly identical numbers as Gallo. The only difference is the 3pt percentage, obviously and the minutes. Beasley actually averaged 29 minutes per game compared to Gallo's 33. Why is Pat Riley supposedly souring on their #2 overall pick, while the Knicks are almost ready to crown Gallo king of Little Italy??? Without getting into the off the court issues, Beasley has a reputation for not giving it his all on the basketball court. I find that to be a joke since the offense is catered to allow Dwyane Wade to save them on every possession. The Heat essentially don't need the skills Beasley brings to the table. They need a back to the basket, lunch pail type of player at power forward like Carlos Boozer. Beasley is no Boozer. Beasley is a mid-range finesse player that can take his man off the dribble like a guard. Beasley rarely is allowed to utilize these skills making him a victim of the offense he is in.


Yi Jianlian is a foreign born player like Gallo and has the extra task of getting used to a whole different culture let alone American basketball. With that said his numbers last season also were nearly identical to both Beasley and Gallo. Yi's shooting percentage by far was the worst at 40% and it showed in the slight dip in scoring compared to the other two players at 12pts per game. Yi's main knock was aggressiveness and getting used to the American style of play. Chinese players are notoriously polite on the court and have trouble getting used to that aspect. Yi showed flashes of 18/10 production but it was short lived due to various injuries throughout the year.

So if these guys are so similar, why are Yi and Beasley seemingly being run out of their respective towns??? As I said before, the system could be the main reason two guys haven't turned the corner. Another is age. Yi is only 23, while Beasley is a ripe 21. Gallo is 22 himself...but he's the prince of NY...at least for now. People are still comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki. If there is still enough potential in Gallo to reach that status, then there is enough time for Beasley and Yi to reach their ceilings. In my humble opinion, Beasley might be comparable to Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson who was a 20/6 player for nearly a decade. Yi Jianlian is very similar to Kevin Garnett in style but not in crazy, so a poor mans KG is about right, keeping in mind KG was 25/10/5 for a decade.

Rumors??? The Heat supposedly just want cap space for Beasley...The Knicks have plenty to spare and need the talent. The Nets are simply looking to upgrade the position. Sign and trade for David Lee??? Makes sense for the Knicks because they need as many crafty moves as possible to fill out the roster as they hope to sign two max players this off-season. Could Beasley, Gallo, Yi make a good front court??? They have the size especially with Yi being 7 feet. They have the mobility and passing ability...they also have D'antoni's offense to loosen them up....its worth a look.

Hopefully Donnie Walsh has my blog bookmarked on his browser *wink, wink*

T-mac we hardly knew ye

Tracy McGrady is heading into free agency, but is already stating that he doesn't see himself as a sixth man.

"Sixth man? I don't see myself being a sixth man," McGrady said Friday night when asked about the possibility.

"I mean, I haven't fallen off that --- much," he said. "I've been hurt the last two years. But I ain't fallen off that much."

McGrady has struggled at times in New York, but doesn't think he'll have to audition for teams this summer to prove how far he's come.

"I'm interested to go to a team where I can win," he said.



Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/65890/20100410/mcgrady_doesnt_see_himself_as_sixth_man/##ixzz0lEqkZ1m5

He hasn't fallen off that much??? I mean he said himself in the quotes above that he's been hurt the last two years...it's a little more than just hurt...the dude simply hasn't played many NBA games for the last 2 years. The games he has played in he's looked like a dude that doesn't know when to throw in the towel. I'd also say he's looked very arrogant out there. He was basically coasting. I don't think the dude was trying to fit in with the team as much as he was just trying to just get in some NBA caliber run for his rehab. That doesn't sit well to me. It's not about expecting Tracy to become Batman again and go toe to toe against Lebron James for the win. It's about his me first attitude.

I won't use my space to bash anyone, but how man times throughout his career did he leave his team, or have a dramatic episode on the court taking himself out of games. He had a few instances where he was actually carried off the court in a stretcher in a game only to start again the same week. I dunno Knick fans. He's always seemed like a drama Queen. How much is he even worth at this present time...Seriously...a veteran, former all-star, MVP candidate that hasn't played ball at an elite level in 2 years because of chronic knee injuries...even if he was a 2nd tier guy...he should only command about a 1 year for about the veteran's minimum with maybe an option for a second year. He hasn't proven he's worth a huge commitment. Even if a team over pays, they would be stupid to pay him anything over the mid-level exemption for a year, which is roughly 6 mil per.

It's kind of a joke to even blog about it. I wish Tracy McGrady well and I hope he can at least sniff the idea of making the all-star team again. Knicks however don't have time for his non-sense. Nobody should be bigger than the team, organization or the city they play for. Knicks are trying to get professional ball players and turn around a decade of embarrassment this off season. There's absolutely no room to play nurse and rub any former superstar's boo boo's.

Go Knicks!

Other free agency options

It's not July first yet...but there's a little less than 3 months to go. Everyone has talked Lebron, Wade, Amare and Bosh to they are blue in the face. Yeah they are the big dogs in this coming off-season...but what are the OTHER options??? Not much has been said about the ability to absorb contracts. The Knicks could in fact do just that. The other team would be awarded a trade exemption.



These guys look familiar??? That's Chris Paul and Darren Collison of the New Orleans Hornets. Chris Paul was arguably the best point guard in the league before he went down with a knee injury that required surgery...cost him 25 games. He's now out for the remainder of the season because of torn ligaments in his middle finger. Talk about bad breaks...but that depends on who you talk to. Darren Collison has come on extreamly strong in Paul's absence, often putting up numbers that rivaled his all world teammate. Sorry to say but one has to go...in any other city Darren Collison would be the guy they shipped...but this is New Orleans. They represent the back end of the NBA teams that struggle to sell seats and break even as a franchise. They need a winning TEAM more than they need a superstar clogging up the cap space. What do they need??? A small fwd, and front court depth. Knicks have up and comer Wilson Chandler and lame duck Eddy Curry, who is entering his contract year and needs to play well to secure his next contract in the NBA. Its a little hard to swallow at first glance, but in the business of basketball, it makes alot of sense for both teams. Don't forget, Chris Paul is a battered player and now has to prove he can bounce back from injurys, especially ones that require surgery. Knicks would be taking a huge risk that they probably would have to make in this situation.



Seriously is Joe Johnson a max player??? The dude turned down more than the Knicks could offer already from an Atlanta extention. He's a good player but...is he THAT good??? What about these guys?:




16 million...that's how much Joe Johnson is looking for. That's the maximum allowed under the CBA. Mike Miller and Ray Allen can both be signed this off-season for the same amount of money. Who would you rather have? Joe Johnson or Ray Allen AND Mike Miller??? Ray Allen probably commands a 2 year 10 mill per year deal...Mike Miller has seen a dip in his scoring output the last few seasons so he could see about 6 million per. They both fit a need in D'antoni's offense. To have both in coaches short rotation would be incredible.

Add a resigned David Lee...maybe Marcus Camby is lured back. With everything you read here, give or take a few mill here and there...how good could this potential Knick team be:

David Lee
Gallo
Camby
Chris Paul
Ray Allen
Mike Miller
Toney Douglas
Earl Barron
Bill Walker
2 2nd rounders

A Blog and a dream.

Arenas is locked up...could he be set free on MSG?

Gilbert Arenas used to be an interesting character. He had an interesting blog up, where he was very entertaining and funny. He was great on Twitter for a stint. He was a great interview as well because you never knew what he was going to say. Nothing too controversial...just interesting, entertaining and well, funny. That's basically who he was and what the NBA is sorely lacking since the days of when every team seemed to have at least one. The NBA was fun to follow back then, and yes the NBA let Gilbert do his thing. It's great for the league....

All this crashed to the earth when he decided to bring guns into the workplace and recklessly display them however he did it. The reports are mixed as to what really happened and everyone is tight lipped about it. Whatever happened that day, brings us to the present and Arenas is going to spend 2 days in jail as part of his sentencing from the felony gun charge. Coaches and players are giving the routine fraternal support as they always do. Clearly that locker room has been damaged and it all seemed to clear as soon as the "Big 3" of Arenas, Jaimison, and Butler were traded/suspended from the roster. The Wizards are clearly a team on the rebuild and have a new champion in Andray Blatche as its cornerstone. Tons of cap space has been removed in the process, and the only "blotch" on the payroll at this time is the former Agent Zero, Mr. Gilbert Arenas.

Enter the 2010 free agent market. A rather large amount of teams have cap space and players to trade. Depending on what the Wizards want to do, they can revamp their club or dump more cap with the contract of Gilbert Arenas. I find it hard to believe this guy can just come back to Washington D.C. and just play basketball like nothing happened. There are hungry teams out there, thirsty to get over the hump and challenge the current powerhouses of the league for the NBA Championship. Since the focus of my blog surrounds the Knicks, its quite obvious they have a gaping hole at the point guard spot. D'antoni needs courage, athleticism, poise, dribble drive ability and court vision. Arenas is capable of all of the above. Selfishness is also another adjective that can be used to describe Arenas game. Perhaps Arenas as been humbled by this whole experience. Perhaps he longs to prove he is not a complete moron and can win...he could disappear into the abyss that is NBA smaller markets and finish out his career. I think there is no doubt that regardless of how humble this man might become, he has a fire that burns inside that is not going to shy away from the pressure of success or failure. The ultimate stage is MSG.




Right away the Knicks have the most money to spend out of any team and the greatest need for a star caliber point guard. They could essentially absorb Arenas contract due to them being over the cap. What makes more sense for the Knicks to offer Eddy Curry, who will be on an expiring contract at the start of the off-season. Knicks have Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas to dangle as well. What other team would be willing to do such a thing? Not many because most of the teams with cap space have some of the most talented and explosive point guards the league have to offer. Washington in return gets a look at a possible post presence in Curry (contract year)and the freedom to take on the 2011 free agent market headlined by Carmelo Anthony.

Just Bloggin...

Will the old Gallo please suit up???

**Shoutout to my man Big C on the youtube mix videos. You can find more by searching realknicks.com and fromthebaseline.com on youtube or by going to the websites directly...

http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwrealknickscom#p/u/154/hcnQLbgUbB4

The video link above is a highlight of Gallo from LAST SEASON with a couple euro highlights thrown in. Don't get hypnotized by the Gangstarr and Beatnuts tracks playing over the video. Watch the player that we have been begging to see all year. What happened to this Danilo Gallinari? From reading the message boards and the buzz generated by basketball fans out there, the Gallo in this vid never existed. "Gallo needs a post game" "If he only had a mid-range game" "Kid can't create his own shot"...From the looks of things he has proven he can do all of these things and very well.

Could it be lingering issues with his back? Kid did have surgery and may not have had a fair chance and getting his legs underneath him in time for this season. Not having your legs could be devestating to a guys confidence. This season we've all watched Gallo hold the ball and continuously step back with his dribble instead of attacking the basket. At times Gallo has totally ignored the rim altogether even when he has had an opportunity to make something happen. Does it hurt to press forward on those stiff legs of his??? Is his back strong enough to dig in and make aggressive moves attacking the defense??? From experience, back spasms can really hinder any and all basketball movements and with Gallo's case...the surgery might not be totally "right" at this time.

Trying to play the right way and not step on anyones toes could also be a lingering problem. The team isn't a playoff team as of yet, but D'antoni has put an emphasis on playing the vets in an effort to make the playoffs. Keywords like "share the ball" and "find the right shot" may have shaken Gallo out of his comfort zone. You can see the kid knows how to play. At times he's caught spectating instead of making a play when it presents itself. It's not "Patrick Ewing thing" where he has to demand the ball every time down. Kid is not a primary post player...he is an orcastrator. He needs to find that balance between letting the game come to him and being tha catalyst that stirs the pot.

Gallo has shown one thing in his short Knick career...he plays better when he is angry. Kid seems to zone out and instantly does everything his fans expect him to do. Then it wares off and its back to regular Danilo. Prime example being the recent contest against Denver where Gallo excepted the challenge for Melo and actually went toe to toe with one of the premier scorers in the league in the 3rd quarter. Just as ferocious as it came, it also disappeared as if the game was over already. Perhaps the Knicks need to hire someone to slap Gallo several times upon the begining of every quarter...Charles Oakley maybe??? He has extensive experience in that respect.

In the last 5 games, Danilo has been averaging about 21 pts per game...and if not for the 9pt performance against Boston, that total would be much more. Here's to progress and hope this Rooster continues to crow wearing the orange and blue.

Fantastic 4 plus more

With so much talk about the upcoming free agent period, not much is being made of the young guns currently occupying the Knicks rotation. Wilson Chandler who's been around for 3 years now, Danilo Galinari a second year kid, and the rookie Toney Douglas. All three players are under guaranteed contracts for next season. Rounding out what I call the "Fantastic 4" is Billy Walker who has a rare team option that the Knicks would be wise to pick up since he's scraping the bottom as far as salary is concerned.

Basketball fans, aside from actually wanting to see their hero's win, love to scout the new kids potential and hope they can realize it. "Gallo" has had an up and down year as a rotation fixture. He's shown signs but has this fly on the wall thing going on that he just fades and watches his teammates dictate the action. I know Knick fans wish Gallo played the 76'ers every day because he basically owned them this season averaging about 22pts against them. That's the intrigue he brings. At his height, mobility and skill set in D'antoni's offense, the kid probably translates into a power fwd. It's all on the kid because if you know who comes over, Gallo has got to be able to slide over to the 4.

Wilson Chandler has shown a few things...he has no fire, he can be consistent on both ends, but he talkes a while to get started and he is injury prone. He's definitely a nba caliber player and starter, but there are some fans waiting for him to become Danny Granger. What makes Granger who he is has nothing to do with talent or God given ability...it's his character and ferocity on the court. Wilson does not impose his will on the defense or possibly believe in himself the way his teammates do. Not really a negative because not everyone is cut out for the star role.

Toney Douglas has most fans purring right now with his scoring ability and poise since being made the starter recently. I don't see much change in the little stint of games Toney played in early on. Yeah Toney is more comfortable running the team. That was gonna come, but his scoring is still incredibly efficient. Toney is not Steve Nash as far as passing, but D'antoni has talked about wanting to have more than just one play maker at other positions. Having a guy as efficient as Toney fits well with this mindset.

I'll pair Bill Walker with his celtic teammate JR Giddens. Both guys were buried on a Celtic team with 2 hall of famers ahead of them in the depth chart. Bill Walker has shown some real basketball skill with his ability to shoot the basketball. His court awareness on both sides of the ball has also surprised many. Guy can flat out play. He adds energy to the team with his thunderous drives to the basket finishing above the rim. JR Giddens in his 2 games since returning from injury has shown confidence and the kind of an edge I'd like to see in Wilson Chandlers game. You can tell both guys were schooled well buy Pierce and Ray Allen since both players display some of their tendencies. JR Gidden in fact had some words for Pierce and went at him on both of his made baskets. The potential factor with these guys is to get numbers close to that of their former teamates in Boston. Only factor with Giddens is he is a free agent after this season. Knicks could look to offer him a low cost deal to keep him around.

With all this potential, why do the Knicks even need to waste money on a Joe Johnson, or even think about extending their own guy in David Lee...the Knicks could very well take a chance and hope the young guys currently on the roster can Blossom into starters in this league. Would it be so terrible to go with a Billy Walker, JR Giddens, Wilson Chandler rotation at the 2-3 spots instead of over paying Joe Johnson or T-mac??? Is it too much to ask Gallo to hold down the 4 spot next year and save money by letting David Lee walk while ignoring players like Bosh and Boozer?

In short, the Knicks have some very low cost, high reward type players already lined up for next season. Gallo, Wilson, Toney, Billy, JR...possibly Sergio and who knows what Curry can even do being that he also is under contract. Some food for thought that should open up ideas to who the Knicks should really be courting this summer.

Lee playing defense...off court

6'9"...that's David Lee's excuse for not challenging guys on the court.

What was his excuse when the Knicks had super size with Channing Frye, Curry, and Jared getting playing time??? Lee has always been guilty of the "jazz hands" defense...a tactic thats performed when an opponent flys to the rim and you lean back with both hands in the air. Lee's defense performances is more suited for a Broadway musical.

Charles Oakley was 6'9" and couldn't jump to save his life. Oakley hardly ever blocked a shot, yet he often guarded bigger and more skilled players every night. Yeah he had Patrick Ewing lurking, but Oakley was never one to totally dog a defensive assignment. Nobody went by Oakley untouched. When was the last time David Lee drew a charge? David has got to stop the ball...he seems content with letting guys sail through. His excuse is he will pick up quick fouls...so it's about padding stats at the expense of defense? His decision is predetermined. He'd rather let an easy basket score then get into foul trouble. That's not me speculating...that's basically what David Lee said after tonight's game against Toronto. (Hahn's Newsday blog has quotes: http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/the-knicks-fix-1.812055/lee-goes-on-the-defensive-1.1795922 )

To be fair...David Lee needs help inside. Every single player has to take responsibility. When dealing with the public, employers train you to respond accordingly when something looks to be out of the ordinary. It could be a fire, crime, or otherwise unsafe condition. Proper action must take place at the moment rather than brush it along for someone else to handle...the situation could become worse if someone doesn't react in a timely manner. This is where the Knicks as a team have been the last 10 years. Guys get beat off the dribble...the big men complain about the guards defense. The guards get beat? They complain about the help. That's a recipe for losing basketball...Clyde Frazier brought it up in the game against the Piston's. Guys are not helping because nobody is helping them. It's a little deeper than that unfortunately because the guys themselves don't even know how or when to commit to helping on defense.

It's popular to blame the coach, but lets be real. Herb, Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkins, Larry Brown, Isiah...Now D'antoni...haven't they all said the same thing about this group maybe once or twice??? Correct me if I'm wrong. The Knicks haven't brought in enough smart, responsible, accountable...flat out ball players in quite some time. Guys that live this game and take things very seriously. Knicks are filled with a bunch of losers and stat padders.

I know for a fact players read just about everything put out there. They are clicking #knicks on twitter and reading fan reaction. They are reading the message boards. They are reading the reporters articles and blogs. They know what people say. One of these days they are gonna have to look in the mirror and say enough is enough. Pride has to settle in. You can't go out there and not try simply because you feel you are not in your "natural position" and some teammates aren't holding their assignments down...This is a pro's game...not a country club league. The Knicks need to fall back as individuals and find that hunger...that nasty...that dog. What did they do when they got on the street ball courts and guys were going all out trying to stay on the court? Did they forget the essence of basketball??? Who cares about size and a "shot blocker"??? There comes a time when size effects the game when guys get position on offense. Its a whole different thing when everyone is just running a layup line on you...60 plus points in the paint??? Mostly by perimeter guys???

"Something, something....something something just ain't riiiight" - Keith Sweat