Da Two Yoots

"Chandler's defense created offense several times, as he showed an ability to keep blocks inbounds and steals moving forward. And when Cleveland's Clay Tucker nailed a game-tying bank with a minute left, Chandler calmly took the ball downcourt and wetted a three. That was cold blooded.

Coach Mike D'Antoni can see Chandler and Danilo Gallinari starting together for a long time, and I know it was only one game, but I don't think he's delusional. Because ..

Danilo Gallinari looks like he could be a player. He struggled something awful in the first half, looking completely overmatched and finishing 0-for-4 with three fouls and three turnovers. He was tentative, seemingly attempting to figure out where he was on the court, getting scored on repeatedly and setting screens Euro-style, shuffling instead of holding his ground."

"I was just trying to play hard and figure it out, what it's like to play here," Gallinari said. "The first half some calls, and some things didn't go well. But after I figured it out better, understood better -- the plays, the referees, the team -- then I played better in the second half."

(huge cinnamon raisin bagel props to pharzeone for the Bootleg POD via nba.com)

meanwhile, while the chicken liver hearted were pouncing on Danilo's every baby step as if he committed a crime, others were appreciating his tenacity and on-court demeanor

Beauty (in the form of a change of direction off the dribble, and a step back jumper) is in the eye of the beholder.

(pause)

Hold up, did The Mayor just go glass?

Chandler looked great towards the end of last year and has carried it into the Summer League. He was the best player on the court by a long shot. Best thing about it is he wasn't just the best player on offense(which we are used to), he was also the best on defense as well.

Ira - you and I both understand that coaches think in terms of their ideal systems.

My Spider Sense tells me that D'Antoni envisions a fluid frontcourt with the capacity to not only advance the basketball, but in a perfect world, actually "take" a defender off the dribble. The Knicks have not had a point forward since the days of... well... Anthony Mason, who was extrememly effective in his role.

If The Mayor has worked on his handle as he intimated in the interview, we should give thanks. Having one point forward reduces the defense's ability to pressure the ball.

Hold up, did 6'9 Danilo go between his legs with the ball?

Having two point forwards is an all-night pajama party.

Rumble young men rumble!

Posted by Bippity10:

If Danilo can get stronger and learn to rebound you might be able to create some really big mismatches in the frontcourt with those two.

Chandler's a pretty strong rebounder... i don't expect Danilo to rebound too much as he'll be playing on the perimeter a lot... i really hope we can hold onto D Lee & unload Zach somehow.

TMS - love him or hate him, Zach WILL donate rebounds

If Walsh decides to pull back on any facsimile Clippers deal, D'Antoni alternates him at center with David Lee. Eddy Curry is the player that will be sent packing. At best, Eddy comes off the bench unless he morphs into Hellboy.

You heard it here first.

Question - the Mayor - why is this his nickname?

Posted by misterearl:

Every Now and Then The Answer Man Likes To Laugh

Q. purple - why is this his nickname?

A. I'm glad you asked that questtion. Last Summer, before rafting down the Colorado River, I had the opportunity to see Chandler in person in Vegas. In the midst of all the chaos and controversy surrounding my beloved Knicks it simply felt like the moment to put some random blind faith in the multi-faceted skill set of a yoot... and assume a leadership position as one of the first advocates for his candidacy as a future Knicks contributor.

As his self-appointed campaign manager The Mayor simply felt like the most appropriate hook for this optimistic and ambitious venture.

New Yorkers have a history of supporting players just because they have just one endearing quality. Just think Yogi (the quotes) or Chris Dudley (the free throws and worker bee ethic) Giambi (the moustache) or even Spree (the edginess and the relentlessness)

It felt like time to get out the vote, and The Mayor just felt like fun

Punch 21

if you dont want to read all that the short answer is "I made it up."

To be honest I am a bit more excited about Chandler as a prospect than I am about Gallo, or perhaps mostly excited about the pair. Chandler is that athletic two way player we have sought for a long time. Gallo is that skilled offensive guy that can do it all and make others better around him as his passing skills are great and his shooting will create space.

All we need to surround those two forwards are a younger Shaq/Penny type combo and we are on the road to success!

could chandler be the first real small forward this team has had since the make-shift sf in sprewell?

Posted by misterearl:

TMS - love him or hate him, Zach WILL donate rebounds

If Walsh decides to pull back on any facsimile Clippers deal, D'Antoni alternates him at center with David Lee. Eddy Curry is the player that will be sent packing. At best, Eddy comes off the bench unless he morphs into Hellboy.

You heard it here first.

i never said Zach doesn't rebound... i don't feel he's conducive to building a team oriented style of game here & his contract is horrendous... reasons enough to want him gone to me.

if Walsh decides to trade Curry instead i got no problems with that, but i'll still want Zach gone regardless.

So, "the Mayor" is a UK creation not known beyond the URL?

we definitely need a shotblocker in the worst way imaginable... i really hope Walsh can get a trade done to bring 1 in before the season begins.