**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.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, March 5, 2010
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
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
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Knicks have a new Walker
Don't call him "Sky"!!! Mike Breen nipped that in the bud last night because Clyde Frazier was getting too overzealous(ha!). Kenny Walker was the original "Skywalker", at least in the NBA family ...he got the name while coming up the college ranks with the University of Kentucky. He was no slouch in college, being named all-American twice. The nickname "Sky" should be his own since he did come up in the early 80's when the iconic movie "Star Wars" was finishing off the original trilogy. It's 2010, no need to go back to the future...
Enter Bill Walker...
The kid has game. It's been a long time since the Knicks were able to actually get a hold of such a diamond in the rough and have them blossom on the garden floor. Names like Anthony Mason, and John Starks come to mind. Bill Walker isn't exactly an unknown to the basketball world. Coming up in West Virginia, the kid was actually ranked higher than OJ Mayo at one point, who was his High School teammate. He was also a college teammate of Micheal Beasley who he was also ranked higher at one point in the high school ranks. How did he end up a Knick in what looked to be a trade throw in to help salaries match? Well he tore his ACL in high school AND his freshman year in college. Talk about bad breaks. He also tore his meniscus during a pre-draft workout which required surgery. These injuries could have crushed this young mans spirit but yet and still we are here....and after 3 major knee surgeries...this Walker can fly.
Which brings me to the point...we gotta get this kid his own nickname!!!
The kids first name is Bill..."Billy the Kid"??? Any announcer that uses this should be fired on sight. All jokes asise, using his first name I came up with "Billy Bounce". Bill definitely has bounce in his step and its fairly catchy since there is a dance hall reggae dance out called the "Willie Bounce" . That could get the younger crowd involved especially if a clip from the Elephant Man song plays after Bill Walker throws one down.
Not bad in my humble opinion...but what about his last name...Walker. I already explained why we can't use "Sky". "Moonwalker" is very corny, besides it ties him to the King of Pop....I came up with "Power Walker". It plays on his attacks on the rim and also the popular exercises seen often in Central Park. Has a little humor...I can hear Clyde say, "make way for the Power Walker" or "The master blaster by Power Walker".
I'm sure a lot of people will make an attempt at crowning Bill Walker a new nickname. I just hope if they use "Billy Bounce" or "Power Walker" they send me a t-shirt or something.
"Good to Go!"
Enter Bill Walker...
The kid has game. It's been a long time since the Knicks were able to actually get a hold of such a diamond in the rough and have them blossom on the garden floor. Names like Anthony Mason, and John Starks come to mind. Bill Walker isn't exactly an unknown to the basketball world. Coming up in West Virginia, the kid was actually ranked higher than OJ Mayo at one point, who was his High School teammate. He was also a college teammate of Micheal Beasley who he was also ranked higher at one point in the high school ranks. How did he end up a Knick in what looked to be a trade throw in to help salaries match? Well he tore his ACL in high school AND his freshman year in college. Talk about bad breaks. He also tore his meniscus during a pre-draft workout which required surgery. These injuries could have crushed this young mans spirit but yet and still we are here....and after 3 major knee surgeries...this Walker can fly.
Which brings me to the point...we gotta get this kid his own nickname!!!
The kids first name is Bill..."Billy the Kid"??? Any announcer that uses this should be fired on sight. All jokes asise, using his first name I came up with "Billy Bounce". Bill definitely has bounce in his step and its fairly catchy since there is a dance hall reggae dance out called the "Willie Bounce" . That could get the younger crowd involved especially if a clip from the Elephant Man song plays after Bill Walker throws one down.
Not bad in my humble opinion...but what about his last name...Walker. I already explained why we can't use "Sky". "Moonwalker" is very corny, besides it ties him to the King of Pop....I came up with "Power Walker". It plays on his attacks on the rim and also the popular exercises seen often in Central Park. Has a little humor...I can hear Clyde say, "make way for the Power Walker" or "The master blaster by Power Walker".
I'm sure a lot of people will make an attempt at crowning Bill Walker a new nickname. I just hope if they use "Billy Bounce" or "Power Walker" they send me a t-shirt or something.
"Good to Go!"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Knicks are not shrimps with Curry
Eddy Curry, Eddy Curry, Eddy Curry....what are the Knicks gonna do with you???
After shocking everyone including his mother with the dramatic change he made to his body in the off-season, Eddy Curry goes down with a calve injury and then later minor knee surgery. Well...with the Knicks in desperate need of size due to the trades of Jared Jefferies, Jordan Hill and Darko...POW!!! As if it was in the script, Eddy Curry rises from the darkness at the Knicks practice...some fans forgot he was still on the team. Well he is and he provides an interesting story line to add with that other guy trying to make a NBA comeback on the roster.
At 6'11" and listed at 300lbs, Eddy Curry is Huge. The question is how does he fit into the teams equation...D'antoni is not about to change the style of play to suit one player. Alot has been made of Eddy scoring 19.5 pts per game 3 seasons ago. People fail to remember how he was force fed the ball and was terribly sloppy recieving passes and passing out of the double team. He's a black hole. Either he scored, charged, had the ball stolen, or lost the ball all together. D'antoni is not going to settle for that, and he is proven he would continue to play short handed than any part of his game plan.
Eddy Curry's best seasons was playing a situational role on the Scott Skiles coached Chicago Bulls. Skiles played Curry if he had it going. If he didn't he was benched and he rarely played minutes in crunch time. He also was rarely featured in the post. He was always given the ball on the move where he is most effective. Skiles also expressed his frustrations with the mans rebounding/shot blocking, saying what all of us have said after watching him in orange and blue..."Jump". Eddy is very lazy. I think his laziness has to do with the fact he really doesn't know how to actually play the game of basketball. His feel for the game and competition is very low. Only thing he seems to be concerned with is finishing when he gets it. He even talks with frustration, as if the Knicks are doing something to him. I don't think the dude "gets it". There's more to the game than getting the ball in the same spot. He has to realize he has teamates and the defense knows his limitations.
To Eddy's credit, this season he brought some furosity to the rotation when he was in there. He had some moments where he stood nose to nose with guys that tried to bully the Knicks inside. He takes up space, and that space alone allows David to roam almost freely since Eddy needs extra attention due to his size. In his laziness, he still is good for 5-7 rebounds per game. He also threatens to put teams in the foul pentalty early with the double teams he attracts inside...He has value. He doesn't have to change D'antoni's offense, but he can provide variety in limited minutes while he gets used to the offense.
Question marks still surround Eddy for next season. He's an expiring next year. The question needs to be answered. Can he finally emerge as a piece in a winning situation in NY? Or will he be a salary cap marter the way most Knicks have been so far in the Donnie Walsh era??? I tell you one thing....I'm tired of hearing Knick fans cry..."Knicks need a big man"...well get a load of Eddy Curry...he's back....at least in practice.
Womp, womp....
After shocking everyone including his mother with the dramatic change he made to his body in the off-season, Eddy Curry goes down with a calve injury and then later minor knee surgery. Well...with the Knicks in desperate need of size due to the trades of Jared Jefferies, Jordan Hill and Darko...POW!!! As if it was in the script, Eddy Curry rises from the darkness at the Knicks practice...some fans forgot he was still on the team. Well he is and he provides an interesting story line to add with that other guy trying to make a NBA comeback on the roster.
At 6'11" and listed at 300lbs, Eddy Curry is Huge. The question is how does he fit into the teams equation...D'antoni is not about to change the style of play to suit one player. Alot has been made of Eddy scoring 19.5 pts per game 3 seasons ago. People fail to remember how he was force fed the ball and was terribly sloppy recieving passes and passing out of the double team. He's a black hole. Either he scored, charged, had the ball stolen, or lost the ball all together. D'antoni is not going to settle for that, and he is proven he would continue to play short handed than any part of his game plan.
Eddy Curry's best seasons was playing a situational role on the Scott Skiles coached Chicago Bulls. Skiles played Curry if he had it going. If he didn't he was benched and he rarely played minutes in crunch time. He also was rarely featured in the post. He was always given the ball on the move where he is most effective. Skiles also expressed his frustrations with the mans rebounding/shot blocking, saying what all of us have said after watching him in orange and blue..."Jump". Eddy is very lazy. I think his laziness has to do with the fact he really doesn't know how to actually play the game of basketball. His feel for the game and competition is very low. Only thing he seems to be concerned with is finishing when he gets it. He even talks with frustration, as if the Knicks are doing something to him. I don't think the dude "gets it". There's more to the game than getting the ball in the same spot. He has to realize he has teamates and the defense knows his limitations.
To Eddy's credit, this season he brought some furosity to the rotation when he was in there. He had some moments where he stood nose to nose with guys that tried to bully the Knicks inside. He takes up space, and that space alone allows David to roam almost freely since Eddy needs extra attention due to his size. In his laziness, he still is good for 5-7 rebounds per game. He also threatens to put teams in the foul pentalty early with the double teams he attracts inside...He has value. He doesn't have to change D'antoni's offense, but he can provide variety in limited minutes while he gets used to the offense.
Question marks still surround Eddy for next season. He's an expiring next year. The question needs to be answered. Can he finally emerge as a piece in a winning situation in NY? Or will he be a salary cap marter the way most Knicks have been so far in the Donnie Walsh era??? I tell you one thing....I'm tired of hearing Knick fans cry..."Knicks need a big man"...well get a load of Eddy Curry...he's back....at least in practice.
Womp, womp....
Is Gallo Fugazy???
Gallo is 21...he'll be 22 by the time next season comes around. This is basically his first season in the league so it would be unfair to condemn him a bust....but what's his problem lately??? Is he hurt??? His back trouble is well documented but he hasn't complained about it and no one has mentioned it aside from the special cushion he uses on the bench. So we can mark that as a non issue...What about his forearm issues before the all-star break. Now I think that was the biggest joke ever. What happened??? Did he make a trip to Dave and Buster on the off day and over do it on the mini basketball shootout game??? My forearm has gotten swollen from them so I know. Basically its not even really an injury. It has nothing to do with defense, dribbling, rebounding making layups...after warming up he would be fine.
I'm fishing here...but what has Gallo done the last month or so other than stand and hold the ball in the triple threat position only to pass or step back and chuck??? There's this website called YouTube, have you heard of it??? Well if you do a quick search of Gallo in the italian league, you see a player that has a guard like handle, decent first step, passing ability, post moves, and mid range game. Did he leave that player in Italy??? Was he really that good or were the defenders really that bad??? I'm hearing fans complain about the system and how D'antoni wants him to stand out there and shoot. I hear another thing all together from D'antoni's own mouth...Coach has been telling Gallo to be more aggressive and drive and look for his own shot...he has yet to figure it out. People seem to think the coach is out there controlling the players with a playstation controller.
Time is on Gallo's side i guess. He has probably 2 season left before we start calling it like I see it. Right now Gallo is a poor mans Tim Thomas. Before you get all bent out of shape....think about what Tim Thomas has done in his career...especially late. Tim Thomas' postential was always off the charts but he never made strides to improve his game. Yet and still Tim Thomas is a very smart and effecient basketball player. Gallo's game is looking exactly the same minus the poise and savy Tim Thomas has. Timmy never averaged more than 15pts per and usually around 11-12pts per...is this what the kid is going to be??? Does the kid still show anybody signs of becoming Dirk Nowitski??? I don't see it as yet. He's not even showing the Hedo Turkoglu game he showed in Europe...
So how do you say Fugazy in Italian??? or is Fugazy actually an Italian phrase???
Mama mia....
I'm fishing here...but what has Gallo done the last month or so other than stand and hold the ball in the triple threat position only to pass or step back and chuck??? There's this website called YouTube, have you heard of it??? Well if you do a quick search of Gallo in the italian league, you see a player that has a guard like handle, decent first step, passing ability, post moves, and mid range game. Did he leave that player in Italy??? Was he really that good or were the defenders really that bad??? I'm hearing fans complain about the system and how D'antoni wants him to stand out there and shoot. I hear another thing all together from D'antoni's own mouth...Coach has been telling Gallo to be more aggressive and drive and look for his own shot...he has yet to figure it out. People seem to think the coach is out there controlling the players with a playstation controller.
Time is on Gallo's side i guess. He has probably 2 season left before we start calling it like I see it. Right now Gallo is a poor mans Tim Thomas. Before you get all bent out of shape....think about what Tim Thomas has done in his career...especially late. Tim Thomas' postential was always off the charts but he never made strides to improve his game. Yet and still Tim Thomas is a very smart and effecient basketball player. Gallo's game is looking exactly the same minus the poise and savy Tim Thomas has. Timmy never averaged more than 15pts per and usually around 11-12pts per...is this what the kid is going to be??? Does the kid still show anybody signs of becoming Dirk Nowitski??? I don't see it as yet. He's not even showing the Hedo Turkoglu game he showed in Europe...
So how do you say Fugazy in Italian??? or is Fugazy actually an Italian phrase???
Mama mia....
Foundation not built just for "The King"
Donnie Walsh came to NY with a plan and excecuted it: "Clear enough cap space for 2 max free agents in 2010." That whole idea seems to have excaped the "knowledgable" Knicks fans. Somehow they expect the raggedy crew thats on the roster now to move mountains and beat the upper echelon of the NBA. It's not going to happen...at least it's not expected and nobody ever projected this group to do anything short of lose and lose miserably.
Which brings me to this Lebron hype. Come on son...this is New York. Since when does a new yorker shed tears over a single basketball player? NYC is an entity all in itself. The tradition of the Knicks also captured that feeling of pride, teamwork, and hustler mentality. The soul of the city seems to have all but expired and it trickled down on to the court at MSG...most fans and city dwellers would rather rock the gold chain that is Lebron James than invest wisely in the real estate that is team/championship basketball.
Right now Knicks have to focus on building a culture. Right now the culture has been losing. There's some terrible bad habits out there. Sergio's speed and passing abilty seems to have rattled the guys. These guys blow his easy assists and fail to make that transition pass that Sergio seems to initiate. Eddie House and T-mac have been seen throwing their hands in disbelief at the failed defensive assignments. Tonight against the Cavaliers, they openly chastised David Lee on several occasions for missing his defensive assignment. David simply refuses to help and instead stands their showing off his "jazz hands". It's not all on David Lee...it's just an example of the state the Knicks are in.
D'antoni can not be adequately judged with this tired group of players. If the Knicks retain Bill Walker's team option (and they should), they are only gonna have Walker, Curry, Toney Douglas, Gallo, and Wilson under contract. That's 10 roster spots are up for grabs. Lebron James could very well be one of them. Reality should set in and when it does, Donnie walsh will have the power to bring in experience. Meaning more guys like Eddie House. Guys that don't need to be encouraged or coached into playing with pride and purpose...energy! That's something that shouldn't be in question on the biggest basketball stage in the world....Donnie has a chance to rebuild the Mecca...not just a harem for Lebron James groupies.
"Shake and bake...word aapp!!!" - Nate Robinson
Which brings me to this Lebron hype. Come on son...this is New York. Since when does a new yorker shed tears over a single basketball player? NYC is an entity all in itself. The tradition of the Knicks also captured that feeling of pride, teamwork, and hustler mentality. The soul of the city seems to have all but expired and it trickled down on to the court at MSG...most fans and city dwellers would rather rock the gold chain that is Lebron James than invest wisely in the real estate that is team/championship basketball.
Right now Knicks have to focus on building a culture. Right now the culture has been losing. There's some terrible bad habits out there. Sergio's speed and passing abilty seems to have rattled the guys. These guys blow his easy assists and fail to make that transition pass that Sergio seems to initiate. Eddie House and T-mac have been seen throwing their hands in disbelief at the failed defensive assignments. Tonight against the Cavaliers, they openly chastised David Lee on several occasions for missing his defensive assignment. David simply refuses to help and instead stands their showing off his "jazz hands". It's not all on David Lee...it's just an example of the state the Knicks are in.
D'antoni can not be adequately judged with this tired group of players. If the Knicks retain Bill Walker's team option (and they should), they are only gonna have Walker, Curry, Toney Douglas, Gallo, and Wilson under contract. That's 10 roster spots are up for grabs. Lebron James could very well be one of them. Reality should set in and when it does, Donnie walsh will have the power to bring in experience. Meaning more guys like Eddie House. Guys that don't need to be encouraged or coached into playing with pride and purpose...energy! That's something that shouldn't be in question on the biggest basketball stage in the world....Donnie has a chance to rebuild the Mecca...not just a harem for Lebron James groupies.
"Shake and bake...word aapp!!!" - Nate Robinson
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