March 13, 2010
In Dallas, a Blueprint Gallinari Can Follow
By HOWARD BECK

DALLAS — The comparison is imperfect, and the path carved by one is not necessarily navigable by the other. But there are strong similarities in height, skill and pedigree, enough that Dirk Nowitzki may provide Danilo Gallinari with a rough template for N.B.A. success.

In 1999, Nowitzki was a gawky, 20-year-old rookie from Germany, trying to simultaneously acclimate to the United States and save the beleaguered Dallas Mavericks.

He shot poorly, scored infrequently and played so little defense that critics mockingly called him “irk” — as in, no D. Mavericks fans booed him mercilessly. But by 2002, Nowitzki was an All-Star, and by 2007, he was the N.B.A.’s most valuable player.

The Knicks have quiet hopes that Gallinari will follow a roughly similar path, and that Nowitzki is the model for what Gallinari could be: a tall, rangy power forward with a brilliant shooting stroke, a sharp basketball mind and an underrated grit.

It is dangerous to compare a second-year player to a perennial All-Star. But Nowitzki did not flinch at the analogy. And he offered an encouraging endorsement in advance of the Knicks’ surprising 128-94 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night that ended Dallas’s 13-game winning streak.

“I think he’s way ahead of my curve,” Nowitzki said of Gallinari. “When I was 20, I was struggling so much. I watched a bunch of games this year, and he looks confident out there. He’s knocking big shots down for them. I think he worked on his drive some, he’s finishing in the paint some, and they’re looking for him to get big baskets. So, definitely ahead of me.”

The Italian-born Gallinari was 19 years old when the Knicks made him the sixth pick of the 2008 draft. His first season was mostly wiped out by a back injury, but he showed off a brilliant 3-point stroke, averaging 6.1 points and 2 rebounds, while shooting .448 in 28 games.

After a fast start this season, Gallinari has shown signs of wear. Going into Saturday’s game, he was averaging 14 points and 5 rebounds, but was shooting just .423 from the field. But his 3-point rate (.381) was above average, and he was No. 2 in the league in 3-pointers made.

Still, this is virtually Gallinari’s rookie season, and he compares favorably to Nowitzki at the same stage. Nowitzki averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and .405 shooting as a rookie, then improved to 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and a .461 rate in his second year.

The adjustment to the N.B.A. is difficult for any young player, but the learning curve is sharper for foreign players, who are adapting to a new culture, a new language and a different style of game.

“You really got to give those guys two years before you really judge them,” said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks president, who, along with his father, Don Nelson, drafted Nowitzki. “A guy coming from overseas, unless he’s played in the states extensively, it’s a little bit different game. There’s a different rhythm, the athleticism takes a period of time to get used to.”

Nelson added, “It’s a process of really learning everything an American learns from the time he’s in grade school all the way up through college, and understanding those nuances.”

Gallinari is a better shooter than Nowitzki was at the same stage, and he has shown much more defensive tenacity.

Both are big men with guard skills, which makes for a natural comparison. But Nowitzki has a slight size advantage, at 7 feet, 237 pounds. Gallinari is 6 feet 10 inches and 225 pounds.

“I don’t know if he’ll ever be as big and strong and Dirk,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said of Gallinari, “but I don’t know if Dirk can ever be as agile as Gallo.”

Still, Nowitzki provides a viable template, D’Antoni said.

“But the biggest thing he needs to model after Dirk is the effort and the time he put into becoming an N.B.A. star,” D’Antoni said. “And it did not come easy for him.”

In fact, Nowitzki was a target from the moment the Mavericks acquired him in a draft-day trade. Dallas selected Robert Traylor with the sixth pick, then sent him to Milwaukee for Nowitzki, who was taken ninth by the Bucks. Paul Pierce of Kansas, a proven commodity and a household name, was still on the board.

Don Nelson promoted Nowitzki as a rookie of the year candidate, putting an additional target on his back. Like the Knicks now, the Mavericks were in the midst of a long and depressing playoff drought. Nowitzki was counted on to change their fortunes.

“It wasn’t easy for any of us,” Donnie Nelson said.

The Knicks are chasing a more dramatic strategy, clearing the payroll in order to sign a marquee player or two this summer. Gallinari does not necessarily need to become a superstar overnight. He just needs to be good enough to help attract one.

“The biggest thing for those guys is, you’re going to get your block knocked off a lot,” Nelson said. “And you have got to have great resolve. And I think that’s the difference in the guys that make it or not. From what I’ve seen, Gallinari definitely has that. He’s got a huge heart.”

Word. Gallo is untouchable, always has been. He is about to finish his (essentially) rookie year. I have a lot of hope in him.

Pharzeone wrote:Another Gallo fluff piece by Beck. I'm sure Tommie Dee will have this posted ASAP. If he thinks that Gallinari is driving in the paint I question how many Knick games he actually watched.

It was a "fluff" piece, but give the kid a break.

He is going to the hoop more often. When he does decide to drive good things usually happen. He can finish with either hand, draw fouls, and he likes to dish it to someone in the corner when he can't finish it.

As he gets stronger he will do it more often, and I expect him to be getting between 6-8 FTs/game in his prime.

I want to see more use of the backboard when taking shorter jumpers and a small hook shot he can go to against smaller opponents. I also continue to believe that he should be looking at tapes of guys like Dirk, Duncan, and McHale for ideas on what he can do in the post with his size and athletic ability.

I've been happy with his development. You look at what he has done compared to others in his draft class and he stacks up very well those drafted after, and before, him.

fishmike wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:Another Gallo fluff piece by Beck. I'm sure Tommie Dee will have this posted ASAP. If he thinks that Gallinari is driving in the paint I question how many Knick games he actually watched.

I dont get you guys. After the game they ask Dirk what he thinks of Gallo and he makes some pretty strong endorsments. Thats really all there is. I know... its boring to discuss a 9 time all star saying he's impressed by our young prospect.

Lets focus more on the Jordan Hill trade

exactly.. a fluff piece? Howard beck just didn't make this up.. he quoted dirk... and dirk gave some strong endorsements... boy if it is not all negative around here then some people just aren't happy..

BigDaddyG wrote:That means something coming from Dirk, but let's face it. Dirk is too classy to dog another player in the media without being being provoked. What really need to her is Jerry Stackhouse's scouting report, seeing as how he did such a good job dissecting Richard Jefferson's game a week ago lol

All joking aside, I see more Detlef Scrempf in Gallo's game that Dirk's. Dirk's height gives him an ability to get his shot off that Gallo may never have. But if Gallo can be as crafty as Shrempf was in terms of recognizing mismatches, backing smaller defenders down and creating for others, I think he'll be a real good player.

Detlef was 6'9. GAllo is more like 6'11.. he will have the same advantages of height as dirk does.... not many people are going to bother his shot on the perimeter. plus gallo has a high release as well..