I remember the arguments this summer about the NCAA vs the Euro league. Some said the NCAA was more competitive and brushed the Euro league in particular the Italian league off as being inferior.

Of course these arguments were spawned off the back of Gallo who was drafted 6th over our home grown talent like Eric Gordon (7pts 1 ast), Joe Alexander (4 pts and 2rbs) and Jerryd Bayless (2pts .8 ast). While Gallo dominated for 'lack of a better word' the Italian league, people ripped the Italian league because it was littered with former NCAA stars who were not quite good enough to cut it in the NBA. Not to mention home grown Italian players who may never sniff the NBA.

That leads me to Brandon Jennings. Jennings is averaging 4pts a game in the so-called inferior Italian league and is the 4th guard in the rotation for his team. There is no doubt in my mind that if he went to Arizona, he would be putting up Derrick Rose like numbers when he played in Memphis if not better. Jennings would be a sure-fire lotto pick. I glanced at the other thread and see that people on here still have Jennings high on there personal mock draft lists for next year despite his struggles in the Italian league. My question is, why the double standard?

Gallo dominated the same league Jennings is struggling in, yet Gallo is over hyped and not that good but Jennings is still viewed as the better prospect. No way would Jennings be struggling at Arizona like he's struggling now. I know someone will say, Jennings aint getting the playing time, but if he was really that good, would he sill be the 4th guard in the rotation? Maybe he is struggling to adjust to the lifestyle, league, style of play etc.....Or maybe he is a bit overrated or the Italian league is a bit underrated....


Heres an article that outlines the Jennings story.....
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/04/first-could-be-the-last/
[Edited by - uptown on 12-06-2008 11:25 AM]

[Edited by - uptown on 12-06-2008 11:28 AM]

[Edited by - uptown on 12-06-2008 11:28 AM]

well...in 17 mins he's averaging basically 5pts (4.9) and 3 assists.....I'm looking at it like they are trying to teach him the pro game. He has grown men ahead of him. He's paying dues.

there is also the difference between playing euro style ball and college basketball.

HS Ball is much more similar to College than Euro in terms of systems, rules & style of play.

Posted by franco12:

there is also the difference between playing euro style ball and college basketball.

HS Ball is much more similar to College than Euro in terms of systems, rules & style of play.

Your right about that, but the adjustment works both ways. CBB players adjusting to Euro rules and Euro players adjusting to NBA rules. Some players can asjust quicker than most (especially the elite players) But at the end of the day, its the same 94 feet and ten foot rims. If your a baller, you should be able to ball anywhere. Take a shot make a shot, see the cutter hit the cutter, man-you-ball defense, etc.

Heres some Jennings clips from the Italian league.


[Edited by - uptown on 12-06-2008 12:22 PM]

I think drafting Gallo was a mistake. I also think that the Knicks may not have scouted him enough. Walsh admitted to only seeing him on tape. D'Antoni has continued to distance himself from the pick. I do think that it would be easier for an Italian teenager to play basketball in Italy. There are some built in supports for 18 year old freshman basketball players and they are not going to be present for Jennings in Italy. He appeared to be a tremendous talent coming out of high school. Going to a foreign country to play ball at his age is a huge jump. I think the Knicks missed the boat on alot of good players in the 08 draft and this pick will be regretted for along time. The 08 draft is one or might be the deepest draft in history. To come away with what the Knicks did with the sixth pick in that draft will set the franchise back for many years.

Posted by loweyecue:

Even if it wasn't then all the negativity around it (like this last post here) will surely make it a self fulfilling prophecy. It sounds more like you guys dont even WANT him to succeeed. It may well turn out to be bust and you take that chance with any pick you make, I just dont understand why everyone wants to write him off without even giving him a chance to play.

Because you can't rebuild in NY.

Posted by CrushAlot:

I think drafting Gallo was a mistake. I also think that the Knicks may not have scouted him enough. Walsh admitted to only seeing him on tape. D'Antoni has continued to distance himself from the pick. I do think that it would be easier for an Italian teenager to play basketball in Italy. There are some built in supports for 18 year old freshman basketball players and they are not going to be present for Jennings in Italy. He appeared to be a tremendous talent coming out of high school. Going to a foreign country to play ball at his age is a huge jump. I think the Knicks missed the boat on alot of good players in the 08 draft and this pick will be regretted for along time. The 08 draft is one or might be the deepest draft in history. To come away with what the Knicks did with the sixth pick in that draft will set the franchise back for many years.

How was he a mistake? Seriously, it seems to me that some of you on this board have it in for the kid because he is a foreigner. If his name was Danny Gallery and he stared at Mich-State as a freshmen, I doubt he would be labeled a bust before he even gets a chance to prove he's a bust on the floor.

As far as Jennings struggling in a foreign land because he's a teenager, and he doesn't have built in advantages like an Italian teen would have...well.. cant you say the same for Gallo, being an Italian rookie, playing in the States without the advantages that an American born teen might have? It works both ways.

Who did the Knicks miss the boat on in the 08 draft? Gallo was picked 6th, so who behind him did you want them to pick before the draft?

7th pick Eric Gordon (7pts 1.7ast) isn't exactly setting the league on fire
8th picks Joe Alexander (4pts .6ast) ready to call him a bust as well?
9th pick DJ Augustine (12pts 4ast) playing well, dont remember too many here calling for him at 6
10th pick Brook Lopez (10pts 7rbs) was bashed on this board by most for being slow and overrated.
11th pick Jerryd Bayless (2pts 1rb) this was who I wanted at 6th, but he has played about as much as Gallo. He must be a bust too.

I really do not think that Gallo will pan out. Some of the arguments over the summer also mentioned former Euro draft picks who never amounted to anything and were highly touted coming in. The biggest bust was Skeeta but I honestly think that the Gallo pick could rival that. With that being said here are a few names of guys that I think will have much better careers that were taken later in the draft.
Jason Thompson
Anthony Randolph
Mareese Speights
JaVale McGee
Ryan Anderson
Kostas Koufos
Darrell Arthur
Nicolas Batum
Chris Douglas-Roberts
At the time of the draft there were some reports that the Knicks did not have their act together. I beleive Walsh skipped most of the Orlando camp and there were other rumblings. It was reported by Chad Ford that D'Antoni did not want Gallo. I think the Knicks messed up. I did post that I did not want the Knicks to take Lopez but I really wish that they had.

Once Jennings works out for NBA teams next spring he will be a lotter pick.

Posted by CrushAlot:

He played briefly in a game against journey men and rookies and sustained an injury that will probably keep him out for the entire year. He was a huge risk with the known talent available at 6 before the injury. His not success or lack of will be based on his basketball ability. Unfortunately I do not think that he has the ability that a guy taken at 6 should have. Gallo was trendy pick for the bust label as soon as he was drafted by the Knicks.

Tell me something in a yes or no answer, do you believe Greg Oden is a bust?

what if his body ages as quickly as his face?? that's why i don't think he'll be a superstar, but not a bust. maybe a bust for a 1st pick, but not an overall bust.