Newsday Gallo article
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nyk4ever
Posts: 41010 Alba Posts: 12 Joined: 1/12/2005 Member: #848 USA |
7/9/2008 12:13 AM
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nba/blog/2008/07/how_good_is_gallinari.html
How good is Gallinari? Got questions about Danilo Gallinari? Dan Peterson, who coached his father, Vittorio, and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, in Milan, has answers. Here's what Peterson had to say in an email about "The Rooster."  Everyone is asking me about Danilo Gallinari. ... His father Vittorio played for me all nine years I coached Olympia Milan and the new coach of the NY Knicks, Mike D'Antoni, played for me those same nine years. In the twist of fate to end all twists of fate, Danilo Gallinari, 19 years old, who played for Olympia-Armani Jeans Milan, was the first round draft choice of the NY Knicks, the 6th player taken overall. Let's clear the decks on Danilo right now. Will he make it in the NBA? Yes. How long will it take for him to know his way around and have the feel of things? I'd estimate 2-3-4 months, including the pre-season, meaning he should be up to speed around February or so. What does he have going for him? Well, he's at least 6'9" tall and still growing (again, he's just 19). Then, his father was a superb athlete in our Series A-1 over here, Italy's greatest defender ever, also at 6'9" tall, and his mother, Marilisa, around 6'1" tall, or more, herself, was one of Italy's top 200-meter sprinters, a gazelle, as someone once called her. So, he has that 'jock' DNA in every cell in his body. Then, he had excellent coaching early in his developing years. That is to say, he has the fundamentals. He has an excellent one-on-one game because he can put it on the floor and he jumps well, so he can manufacture his own shot. He knows how to pass and, best of all, is a team player that will give the ball to an open teammate, sort of like Toni Kukoc, though Toni was a better passer. If he has to bring the ball up the floor under pressure, he can do that. Most of all, he has a devastating shot. Someone said he's just so-so on the three-point shot. I don't agree. He has flawless technique, has the pickup jump shot and is death on free throws. What else is there? Is he a super defensive player, as was his father? No, he is not. That is something he will have to acquire with on-the-job learning. His dad knew he had five fouls to spend, as his offensive contribution was close to zero in terms of points ("Gallo" averaged 1.6 points per game over his entire career), but Danilo had the 'disadvantage' of being the main man on his team and his coaches were terrified of him fouling out, so he really never had to defend, as they say, with his fingernails. But, his athleticism will continue to improve and that will help. So, he's not through growing and not finished maturing. That will all kick in at age 22, when he starts his third NBA season. Finally, this kid has brains, heart, maturity and .... balls. Brains? His dad is a graduate of the Bocconi of Milan, like saying Harvard Business School, so schooling came first for Danilo. Heart? He's fearless in clutch situations. Maturity? If you talk with him, you are disoriented because he's 19 but talks and acts like someone 39. Balls? He comes 'fully equipped.' If the Knicks go to him for a game-winning shot, he will not hesitate to pull the trigger. He might miss. Anyone can miss. But he won't miss for a lack of fortitude. "OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
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VDesai
Posts: 43301 Alba Posts: 44 Joined: 10/28/2003 Member: #477 USA |
7/9/2008 2:28 PM
Interesting article. Everyone talks highly of how Gallo handles the pressure.
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Newsday Gallo article