1.)Gallo is not ready to be a go to guy. He's a great shooter. He's good at getting by guys that overplay his jumpshot, but he does not have the ability or strength to consistently get by guys off teh dribble. Patience, if he is good, his time will come.

2.) I think the offense is designed to keep him on the perimeter to start each series. That does not mean that he can't penetrate and be effective off the pass here. When the offense is run well there is plenty of oppportunity for the SF to get to the hole. Two things are to blame for Gallo not doing this. Number one, he's not aggressive enough at this point. He does not take advantage of opportunities that come his way as he often defers. He's essentially a rookie so at this point this does not bother me. Problem #2 is that we are horrible ball movers. He will be better in an offense with solid ball movement where the ball snaps around the perimeter. When guys are running out to get on his shot he can be deadly

3.) The guy is a good player and I have little doubt that he will become more of a driver as his game develops. Right now he is a jumpshooter. That's okay, guys do develop

Paladin55 wrote:Gallo does need to move around more on offense, but you do get the feeling that he is following orders and feels limited at times. You also have an offense that is predicated on having a PG who can penetrate and kick the ball out, but Duhon cannot do that anymore, and Douglas is still learning. He is driving to the basket much more this year, and I expect him to do it more as the year goes on and his legs get stronger.

Re Defense:

Briggs- did you actually watch the game? I think the only time Smith scored on him was a dunk that he got because Gallinari was helping and attempted to block/deflect the ball of a penetrator. The person he was guarding man/man rarely scored. He gets caught helping out at times, and makes the occasional mistake in a scramble, but positionally he is as solid as they come for one of those soft Euros who can't play D, he challenges shots, and plays excellent helping D. He rarely drifts away from and loses his man, and usually has his hands up. He also plays the lanes well.

We could go possession by possession if you really want to analyze his D on each play, but that is more difficult to do than pick out the exception and generalize, which is something you tend to do at times.

If you could ask MDA who his most consistently dependable defensive player has been this season, I would hazard to guess that Gallinari would be on the short list.

He still has a way to go on O and D, but there are few young players who have a better understanding or are as consistent on D as Gallinari (Gordon is one who comes to mind-been zoning in on him recently, and he is rock solid.), and someday he is going to be known as a stopper.

Gallinari is one hlluva great open 3 point shooter and he understands certain parts of the game very well. He got smoked by Josh Smith last night and I submit he is one of the worst defenders over 6-9 in the 2008 draft. They look for him to go 1-1. Telling me what MDA thinks about defense is like asking Paris Hilton what she thinks about a job.

NYKBocker wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:Gallo does need to move around more on offense, but you do get the feeling that he is following orders and feels limited at times. You also have an offense that is predicated on having a PG who can penetrate and kick the ball out, but Duhon cannot do that anymore, and Douglas is still learning. He is driving to the basket much more this year, and I expect him to do it more as the year goes on and his legs get stronger.

Re Defense:

Briggs- did you actually watch the game? I think the only time Smith scored on him was a dunk that he got because Gallinari was helping and attempted to block/deflect the ball of a penetrator. The person he was guarding man/man rarely scored. He gets caught helping out at times, and makes the occasional mistake in a scramble, but positionally he is as solid as they come for one of those soft Euros who can't play D, he challenges shots, and plays excellent helping D. He rarely drifts away from and loses his man, and usually has his hands up. He also plays the lanes well.

We could go possession by possession if you really want to analyze his D on each play, but that is more difficult to do than pick out the exception and generalize, which is something you tend to do at times.

If you could ask MDA who his most consistently dependable defensive player has been this season, I would hazard to guess that Gallinari would be on the short list.

He still has a way to go on O and D, but there are few young players who have a better understanding or are as consistent on D as Gallinari (Gordon is one who comes to mind-been zoning in on him recently, and he is rock solid.), and someday he is going to be known as a stopper.

Gallinari is one hlluva great open 3 point shooter and he understands certain parts of the game very well. He got smoked by Josh Smith last night and I submit he is one of the worst defenders over 6-9 in the 2008 draft. They look for him to go 1-1. Telling me what MDA thinks about defense is like asking Paris Hilton what she thinks about a job.

I usually have an open mind on your assessments..but whoa!! The worst defender over 6'9" in the 2008 draft? He is a great help defender and he understands defensive positioning. When Josh Smith scored last night, it was not because he took Gallo to school, Gallo was helping out because Dudu got beat again. He went to close the lane and Bibby lobbed it to Josh. That is not his fault. He got beat once one-on-one, but who doesn't? You made it sound like Josh Smith just went Dominique on Gallo's arse.

He is one of the worst defenders over 6-9 in the 2008 draft--who is he better than? Roy Hibbert? Randolph? Lopez? either Lopez? Thompson? Speights? et al

BRIGGS wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:Gallo does need to move around more on offense, but you do get the feeling that he is following orders and feels limited at times. You also have an offense that is predicated on having a PG who can penetrate and kick the ball out, but Duhon cannot do that anymore, and Douglas is still learning. He is driving to the basket much more this year, and I expect him to do it more as the year goes on and his legs get stronger.

Re Defense:

Briggs- did you actually watch the game? I think the only time Smith scored on him was a dunk that he got because Gallinari was helping and attempted to block/deflect the ball of a penetrator. The person he was guarding man/man rarely scored. He gets caught helping out at times, and makes the occasional mistake in a scramble, but positionally he is as solid as they come for one of those soft Euros who can't play D, he challenges shots, and plays excellent helping D. He rarely drifts away from and loses his man, and usually has his hands up. He also plays the lanes well.

We could go possession by possession if you really want to analyze his D on each play, but that is more difficult to do than pick out the exception and generalize, which is something you tend to do at times.

If you could ask MDA who his most consistently dependable defensive player has been this season, I would hazard to guess that Gallinari would be on the short list.

He still has a way to go on O and D, but there are few young players who have a better understanding or are as consistent on D as Gallinari (Gordon is one who comes to mind-been zoning in on him recently, and he is rock solid.), and someday he is going to be known as a stopper.

Gallinari is one hlluva great open 3 point shooter and he understands certain parts of the game very well. He got smoked by Josh Smith last night and I submit he is one of the worst defenders over 6-9 in the 2008 draft. They look for him to go 1-1. Telling me what MDA thinks about defense is like asking Paris Hilton what she thinks about a job.

I usually have an open mind on your assessments..but whoa!! The worst defender over 6'9" in the 2008 draft? He is a great help defender and he understands defensive positioning. When Josh Smith scored last night, it was not because he took Gallo to school, Gallo was helping out because Dudu got beat again. He went to close the lane and Bibby lobbed it to Josh. That is not his fault. He got beat once one-on-one, but who doesn't? You made it sound like Josh Smith just went Dominique on Gallo's arse.

He is one of the worst defenders over 6-9 in the 2008 draft--who is he better than? Roy Hibbert? Randolph? Lopez? either Lopez? Thompson? Speights? et al

I only saw get beat once one-on-one last night. Your boy Randolph got abused and posterized by Tiny Tim last year in 1 play. Is he a bad defender? I don't think so.

NYKBocker wrote:

MS wrote:This is why this was the wrong pick. Gallo is a floater. He doesn't make things happen he is a spot up shooter. Walsh doesn't know **** about building a team. Ryan Anderson/Gallo what is the big difference. The kid isn't running the floor and is camping out in the corner. Demand the ball, get in the post, do what you have to.

Like everyone else has said already, this is almost like Gallo's rookie year. How many rookies in the history of the game has come in and demanded for the ball?

Not trying to break Gallinari's cahones as he is a Knick. I like to keep things in perspective and reality. If someone comes on and gushes about Gallinari's defensive abilities--I have to say what??? . He certainly isnt as porous as last year where his back might have been a big issue with him, but to call him one of the better defenders on the team shows you how we dont focus on such an important area.

Derrick rose: 13/2/5
Beasley: 12/5.6/0.9
mayo: 18/4/2
Westbrook: 15/4/7
Love: 0/0/0 old log legs is injured. not suprised
GAllo: 15/3.7/1.7

Eric Gordon: 18/3/4
Anthony Randolph: 13/7
Brook Lopez: 18/5/1.5
Ryan anderson: 15/5

Considering that gallo didn't get to play a full season like all of these guys have, I would say he is not only holding his own, but doing as good or better than most in this draft..... drafted before or even after...

tkf wrote:2008 Drat pick stats:

Derrick rose: 13/2/5
Beasley: 12/5.6/0.9
mayo: 18/4/2
Westbrook: 15/4/7
Love: 0/0/0 old log legs is injured. not suprised
GAllo: 15/3.7/1.7

Eric Gordon: 18/3/4
Anthony Randolph: 13/7
Brook Lopez: 18/5/1.5
Ryan anderson: 15/5

Considering that gallo didn't get to play a full season like all of these guys have, I would say he is not only holding his own, but doing as good or better than most in this draft..... drafted before or even after...

that's why gallo is our best player, everything should go through him. and he can do eeverything on the court pretty good, shoot, pass, rebounding will come soon, and he is best shooter in league soon.

eViL wrote:

tkf wrote:2008 Drat pick stats:

Derrick rose: 13/2/5
Beasley: 12/5.6/0.9
mayo: 18/4/2
Westbrook: 15/4/7
Love: 0/0/0 old log legs is injured. not suprised
GAllo: 15/3.7/1.7

Eric Gordon: 18/3/4
Anthony Randolph: 13/7
Brook Lopez: 18/5/1.5
Ryan anderson: 15/5

Considering that gallo didn't get to play a full season like all of these guys have, I would say he is not only holding his own, but doing as good or better than most in this draft..... drafted before or even after...

you forgot the NY player deduction and the other team's guy bonus. when you factor those in, you will see that gallo is doing significantly worse than most 12th men in the league.

on a serious note, am i the only one that wants to see how this kid is gonna flourish when the level of his teammates improve? i mean, this kid is stuck deferring to a bunch of has-been / never-been / ain't-gonna-be vets. what's he gonna look like when he's on a real talented team? does gallo have one teammate as good as wade, durant, baron davis, steven jackson, dwight howard or vince carter? not trying to prop the kid up or make excuses. he's got work to do. a lot of work (especially on strength, which i think will be the key to him driving effectively in this league). but i think there's reason to be excited that the knicks got a special piece in gallo.

i agree with you 100%.. right now the best player he has playing with him that will actually get him the ball on the court is Toney douglas... they seemed to play well on the floor together last night.. But other than that, gallo doesn't have 1 allstar or Allstar type of player on the floor with him. and of courst like most 21 year old kids, they have things to work on, but I am excited with what I see so far...

you forgot the NY player deduction and the other team's guy bonus. when you factor those in, you will see that gallo is doing significantly worse than most 12th men in the league.

ROFL.. So true..

eViL wrote:

tkf wrote:2008 Drat pick stats:

Derrick rose: 13/2/5
Beasley: 12/5.6/0.9
mayo: 18/4/2
Westbrook: 15/4/7
Love: 0/0/0 old log legs is injured. not suprised
GAllo: 15/3.7/1.7

Eric Gordon: 18/3/4
Anthony Randolph: 13/7
Brook Lopez: 18/5/1.5
Ryan anderson: 15/5

Considering that gallo didn't get to play a full season like all of these guys have, I would say he is not only holding his own, but doing as good or better than most in this draft..... drafted before or even after...

you forgot the NY player deduction and the other team's guy bonus. when you factor those in, you will see that gallo is doing significantly worse than most 12th men in the league.

on a serious note, am i the only one that wants to see how this kid is gonna flourish when the level of his teammates improve? i mean, this kid is stuck deferring to a bunch of has-been / never-been / ain't-gonna-be vets. what's he gonna look like when he's on a real talented team? does gallo have one teammate as good as wade, durant, baron davis, steven jackson, dwight howard or vince carter? not trying to prop the kid up or make excuses. he's got work to do. a lot of work (especially on strength, which i think will be the key to him driving effectively in this league). but i think there's reason to be excited that the knicks got a special piece in gallo.

I'm not saying he is Michael Jordan or that I expect him to be, but.........as a rookie Michael Jordan would not defer to veterans that were leading him to a 1-8 record. He would tell them to step aside and take over. In the beginning there would be resistance but over time all would listen. In order for Gallo to be a star he has to have this mentality. I understand, he's not as good as Michael. I understand he's young. I understand essentially he's a rookie, but eventually he has to look a the record and say "politics be damned, these guys really don't know what they are doing, it's time for me to take over". Real winners and leaders do not wait for the coach to do so.

When Bip signs on to a coed team at the Y do you think he tries to fit in iwth the team or tells everyone to shut up and follow my lead to victory. Gallo needs to be more like Bip.

eViL wrote:

tkf wrote:i agree with you 100%.. right now the best player he has playing with him that will actually get him the ball on the court is Toney douglas... they seemed to play well on the floor together last night.. But other than that, gallo doesn't have 1 allstar or Allstar type of player on the floor with him. and of courst like most 21 year old kids, they have things to work on, but I am excited with what I see so far...

word, and you know coaches are game-planning to stop the kid. gallo has got a dude draped on him all game long. he's the only guy on the team that consistently commands attention from the defense. with his jumper now established in the NBA, he's a perfect piece to help spacing on offense. not a coincidence that when his teammates drive on his side of the court, they are rarely doubled by wing players. but that doesn't count as an assist so let's pretend it's not part of his impact. again, like both of us have already agreed on -- kid needs work: strength, aggression, assertiveness. at least i feel confident he'll do the work. he looks bigger this year. hopefully in another offseason he'll get stronger and he'll get better teammates. then what? it's gonna be scary.

Oh yea, he is never left by opposing teams, the only guy teams will leave him for is Al harrington because they know there is zero chance Al is looking to pass the rock..