We need to set the right tone at the beginning of the game, not wait until 6 minutes in for Galloway to come in.

There are plenty of stats to look at, but one simple one is that Calderon is dead last on the Knicks in plus/minus. And Galloway is third best after KP and Afflalo.

Galloway pushes the ball in transition, shoots the three at a better clip, defends better, etc.

It's just time to see what he can do starting with better teammates - he started there admirably last season with almost no real NBA teammates.

Give him a chance to start with Melo and KP and Afflalo and Rolo.

Remember, Gallo is nice, but he doesnt create, has limited floor vision and is more a hustle/scorer guy. If he's running the offense it puts more pressure on the triangle, and if the offense struggles you will see excessive iso ball.

There is a downside...

fishmike wrote:it will be interesting. You have to be careful not to yank guys... especially vets around. People here like the video game theme, where one dude isnt playing well so just sub him, but there is team chemistry, roles, Calderon is an important lockerroom guy, and when a player is struggling EVERYONE in the clubhouse is watching how the coach will handle it. Will he get behind the player? Will he support the player? Will he make a move that possibly hurts a player or his career to benefit the team? There are more factors in the real world of men than just "try that guy."

Remember, Gallo is nice, but he doesnt create, has limited floor vision and is more a hustle/scorer guy. If he's running the offense it puts more pressure on the triangle, and if the offense struggles you will see excessive iso ball.

There is a downside...

Definitely all true. Jose is a leader and respected figure on the team. It puts Fisher in a difficult situation. I guess this is one of those questions - are they trying to build a culture or trying to win. I can see the culture side being more important.

That said, it has been pretty gruesome watching Jose play lately. I think you can say Galloway has fairly earned the starting job. He's the one who has been finishing most games, at least.

I agree it's a tricky situation, but how much longer do we have to do this?

I was happy Fish finally played Jerian but then he over did it so... In the end Gallo and Grant need to play more and Jose LESS! Jose is fine as a backup PG. IMO Jose should be 3rd string but that isn't likely to happen that fast. The Gallo move to starting PG is the most likely move to see first.

fishmike wrote: . . .when a player is struggling EVERYONE in the clubhouse is watching how the coach will handle it. Will he get behind the player? Will he support the player? Will he make a move that possibly hurts a player or his career to benefit the team? There are more factors in the real world of men than just "try that guy."

On the other hand, sometimes (as they say on Monty Python):

"This parrot is no more (!) He has ceased to be (!) He's expired and gone to meet his maker (!)
He's a stiff (!) Bereft of life, he rests in peace (!) His metabolic processes are now history (!) He's off the twig (!)
He's kicked the bucket, he's shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain, and joined the bleeding choir invisible (!)"

TPercy wrote:Problem here is that Jose is more of a SG because of his shooting ability at this point rather than a PG.
Galloway isn't really much of a pg either because he isn't as great of a passer.
Our only true pg at this point is Grant and he is still adapting...

Agreed.

franco12 wrote:agreed. wtf derek fisher

I have been calling for a change in the back court since before the start of the season. I have to believe that Phil or Fisher are trying to expose Calderon to help built his trade value. However, it instead of improving his value, it is becoming more evident to the league that this dude simply does not have it anymore. At least to be a starting PG in this league.

Knicks1969 wrote:

blkexec wrote:Galloway over Calderon is not that much of an upgrade.

Gallo has better defense, but thats about it. Eventhough thats huge at the PG spot.....But Jose is more of a natural PG than Gallo.

But I think Fisher is trying to groom up Grant to replace Jose, since Grant and Jose are the only true PGs on the team. This is probably why Fisher gave Grant more minutes in the 4th quarter.

Jose would also have problems on the second unit as well, as far as defense.....I'm not sure there's a PG in the league he can guard. But he still provides high IQ.

Galloway might be better.....But I think Grant is even better. And the last thing you want to do is start Gallo.....then yank him and start Grant. I think they rather have Gallo play SG, which is his best position.

A trade is the best solution.....But would Phil trade Grant for the right price? I think he would, if it returns a young NBA starter or high draft pick. Then plug in Jimmer to fill the void.....

in that case, why not simply let the dude (Grant) get on the job training? Just like KP, this young dude needs to play as a starter to become familiar with the speed of the game. He is a smart dude, he can figure it out. Just don't be hard on him when he makes mistakes

I agree.....but right now Grant is behind Jose's backup......He's like the 3rd backup PG. I think injuries like Melo or other players is when Grant will get consistent minutes and shine. Then Fisher will have to address questions why he was burried.....Both Grant and Gallo would be better options over Jose. I don't think they thought either player would be a better option. Must be in Jose's (under the table) contract, to be a starter. Or Fisher simply rather leave the starting 5 alone, and just adjust his substitutions, which is why nobody can follow his sub patterns. So instead of shuffling his starting 5......he shuffles the subs. Not agreeing or disagreeing......Just trying to understand his logic. Because everybody knows Grant and Gallo are better on defense....Grant can get to the rim.....Gallo can shoot, and has been the most efficient shooter. So there's other reasons why Fisher hasn't pulled the plug.

Gallo has better defense, but thats about it. Eventhough thats huge at the PG spot.....But Jose is more of a natural PG than Gallo.

Where I think Calderon gets the nod and respect from Fish/Phil is his basketball IQ on offense. He's quite ahead of Galloway in this regard. He knows and reads the defenses quicker.