Posted by Paladin55:

I think Gallinari was a "system" pick. He is projected to do all the things MDA wants- shoot 3s, pass, run the floor, be unselfish, play multiple positions, etc..

Why not wait to see how he does?? At some point people ahead of us in the draft, might wish that they had picked Gallinari, and some of the folks who condemn this pick might have to admit that he was worth being a #6. I have been impressed with him so far- more for what he does on defense than offense, where I know he will be competent. In the 10 or so games he has played in since he got back, he has shown more team D instincts than many veterans on the Knicks. He gets lost at times, but you are talking about a 20 yr old kid who has not been on the court very much since he joined the Knicks. It just seems to me that he understands the game.

He is clearly not physically developed at this point, and his endurance is still not great, but you can see him getting a little more fit each game he plays. He is also playing tentatively and deferring to other players on the team. As he grows stronger and becomes more confident, you should see some significant improvement in his game, and I am sure that MDA will reward him with increased minutes.

On the other hand, at some point in the future I might have to look at him and admit that he is not much more than a 3pt specialist and that his body and game was not suitable for the rigors of the NBA. It could happen, and when it does, I will admit that I was wrong in my very amateur evaluation of Gallinari as a player. I think he has a lot of pride though, and if you read about what his American teammates in Italy said about him not backing down from the intimidation he faced, you have to think that he will rise to the challenge he faces in the NBA.


I have pretty much admitted that if we could do the draft over again, Lopez might be the guy I wanted based on what I have seen from him so far. Yet I have not idea how he will develop and whether he can and will make changes to his game as the NBA.

It seems that every few weeks people focus on a rookie drafted after Gallinari who is doing well and bemoans the fact that we chose this soft European who is "damaged goods" while we could have bought American and taken Lopez, Gordon, Bayless, etc.. Even if Gallinari turns out to be a bust in a few years, I hope that he has a two week period where he plays like Bird-lite so I can see how quickly some folks shut up and eat humble pie.

Gallinari was a legit top 10 pick. He may eventually be overshadowed by Lopez, Gordon, Bayless, Randolph, or others picked after him, but this is a judgment best made after 2-3 years of watching all of them.

How can you be a Knick fan and want Gallinari to be a bust? This was not is not a Gallinari scks thread. I would NOT have taken him at 6 or even 13 but that doesnt mean he wont be a good NBA player. The fact is at 6 it is EXTREMELY risky taking a player who did not compete playing USA basketball versus a Lopez for example and the risk to me is to high. It's not like we drafted a 7-3 C--we drafted a gangly SF who lacks NBA athletic ability for his position. I cant believe the guys making the decisions for the Knicks passed on Lopez when Curry was coming off knee surgey. This was a GREAT GREAT chance to get a post player and we passed. Walsh did not make this pick---he Ok'd it[although that is his ultimate responsibility] who are the guys who came to Walsh and said this has to be our guy--is it the same clogs who took Frye?

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Paladin55:

I think Gallinari was a "system" pick. He is projected to do all the things MDA wants- shoot 3s, pass, run the floor, be unselfish, play multiple positions, etc..

Why not wait to see how he does?? At some point people ahead of us in the draft, might wish that they had picked Gallinari, and some of the folks who condemn this pick might have to admit that he was worth being a #6. I have been impressed with him so far- more for what he does on defense than offense, where I know he will be competent. In the 10 or so games he has played in since he got back, he has shown more team D instincts than many veterans on the Knicks. He gets lost at times, but you are talking about a 20 yr old kid who has not been on the court very much since he joined the Knicks. It just seems to me that he understands the game.

He is clearly not physically developed at this point, and his endurance is still not great, but you can see him getting a little more fit each game he plays. He is also playing tentatively and deferring to other players on the team. As he grows stronger and becomes more confident, you should see some significant improvement in his game, and I am sure that MDA will reward him with increased minutes.

On the other hand, at some point in the future I might have to look at him and admit that he is not much more than a 3pt specialist and that his body and game was not suitable for the rigors of the NBA. It could happen, and when it does, I will admit that I was wrong in my very amateur evaluation of Gallinari as a player. I think he has a lot of pride though, and if you read about what his American teammates in Italy said about him not backing down from the intimidation he faced, you have to think that he will rise to the challenge he faces in the NBA.


I have pretty much admitted that if we could do the draft over again, Lopez might be the guy I wanted based on what I have seen from him so far. Yet I have not idea how he will develop and whether he can and will make changes to his game as the NBA.

It seems that every few weeks people focus on a rookie drafted after Gallinari who is doing well and bemoans the fact that we chose this soft European who is "damaged goods" while we could have bought American and taken Lopez, Gordon, Bayless, etc.. Even if Gallinari turns out to be a bust in a few years, I hope that he has a two week period where he plays like Bird-lite so I can see how quickly some folks shut up and eat humble pie.

Gallinari was a legit top 10 pick. He may eventually be overshadowed by Lopez, Gordon, Bayless, Randolph, or others picked after him, but this is a judgment best made after 2-3 years of watching all of them.

How can you be a Knick fan and want Gallinari to be a bust? This was not is not a Gallinari scks thread. I would NOT have taken him at 6 or even 13 but that doesnt mean he wont be a good NBA player. The fact is at 6 it is EXTREMELY risky taking a player who did not compete playing USA basketball versus a Lopez for example and the risk to me is to high. It's not like we drafted a 7-3 C--we drafted a gangly SF who lacks NBA athletic ability for his position. I cant believe the guys making the decisions for the Knicks passed on Lopez when Curry was coming off knee surgey. This was a GREAT GREAT chance to get a post player and we passed. Walsh did not make this pick---he Ok'd it[although that is his ultimate responsibility] who are the guys who came to Walsh and said this has to be our guy--is it the same clogs who took Frye?

I think you answered the question right there. BRIGGS curry was on the roster so they saw no need to have Lopez.

Posted by Marv:

Posted by islesfan:

Brook Lopez - 22pts 12rebs 2 blocks. Now that's a meaningful 22-12.

Ryan Anderson had a nice game too with 19 pts and 7 boards,

isles i love you dude but you're really nothing more than a troll on this board now. you know that don't you? your knick opinion credibility has gone right down the s**tter.

Posted by tkf:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by martin:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Cash:

Gallinari is cleary not channing frye 2.

1-His range is better, and his shot(%) seems much better. That shot looks so sweet.
2-He has much quicker feet, and he has a better mental ability to respond to the game around him on defense
3-He can put the ball on the floor
4-More court vision
etc....
He clearly is less muscular but he is younger and although i don't think he has a great frame for putting on muscle, he can clearly put on more-and his muscle is less of an issue because of his foot speed(and projected position). He is probably also a lot less physical because of the back injury.

Who cares if Gallinari has more range? Is the goal for the Knicks to shoot from 30 feet? How about players who can shoot from 3 feet rebound the ball and block shots--remember those types of players--like the kind that gave us success? We already had Chandler who was promising--it was another blunder even if he's a good player because we bypassed a better player in an area of need. Gallinari gets his shots so far because no one guards him.

with high picks you recommend drafting need over potential? High ho Sam Bowie!

I had Lopez at 3 all year long. I would have never drafted Gallinari --I wouldve taken 10 players over him.

which is why you don't get paid to make those decisions briggs...

I don't need their money--but if I ran the Knicks--fans would be much happier.

Posted by CrushAlot:

Lopez is averaging 12 pts, 8 rebs and 2 blocks. Gallinari has not achieved any of those numbers in any category for any game he has played in including his summer league game. To say Lopez is not getting his in meaningful minutes is alot more then stretching the truth to make your point.

Posted by martin:

Posted by Pharzeone:

Then why use the Jordan to Bowie example?

cause it's just that, an example. An example of selecting position over potential.