"I like to play against the best because that's the only way to improve," Gallo said Monday after practice in Greenburgh. "It's a part of learning. It's a part of trying to understand where I am and what I have to do get to that level and what they have more than me. I like the challenge."

The point being, if the Knicks are to take the next giant step from frogs to being princes of the city, core players must be willing to embrace, no... change that... demand a challenge. Carmelo is one of the top five players in the league and Gallo has barely completed a full season of games.

What did Gallo do?

He spoke up. Carmelo took the bait and raised his game. Cool. Gallo did not back down. The result? Some entertaining, playoff-calibre hoops. Forget that Galinari's shot dropped. The most important reason to mark the date is that Gallo worked to get open and TOOK the big shots. The crowd responded to the battle and The Garden was The Garden again. The Knicks played with passion. Another rookie, Toney Douglas, fought back a slow start and played like a winner.

After the game Carmelo told Gallo, "keep ballin'" which is code for "thank you providing such a competitive evening my good man."

Win or lose, I like it when they ball like that.

misterearl wrote:
After the game Carmelo told Gallo, "keep ballin'" which is code for "thank you providing such a competitive evening my good man."

Who was the last Knick rookie that other players gave props to.... Nate? He got some love, but what Gallo is getting is respect. He is making the Knicks respectable. Him and Lee.

kam77 - you just nailed it. More than ANY other commodity that will lure a quality free agent, respect is the most valuable. Not money. Not the arena renovations. Not endorsement deals. Not the celebrities at courtside. No star wants to play on a roster of punks. No one wants to be infected with the virus of a loser.

Players are a fraternity. They are on a first name basis with the referees. Even the refs know who can play and who cannot. Guys who can play get the favorable calls. You think Gallo getting dapped up by Carmelo was a sure sign of the apocalypse? When was the last time you saw a refs call changed in favor of the Knicks like it was changed for David Lee late in the fourth quarter? And it was changed to the WRONG call. Lee should have fouled out. That is a remarkable sign of change. That is why Donnie Walsh had to throw in Jordan Hill... to keep David Lee.

David Lee gets Respect.

The frat knows who can play and who cannot. Reputations travel around the league via text after every game.

The word around the league this morning is that Gallo just might bus' a jumper in your face... or take you to the rack... more than once.

bippity10 - you know that first you gotta protect the crib. Home court is where good players are supposed to get the favorable calls and feed off the energy of the crowd. There is no better place on earth to have the crowd behind you than The Garden.

Watching the earned respect of Charles Oakley was a beautiful thing. Opponents KNEW Oak had Patrick Ewings back and that Mase was there to get Oak's back. And Patrick knew it. The Knicks could not be intimidated. Forget the hype, the Knicks had a personality that was constant night in and night out. Win or lose, teams had to bring their A game.

Gallo needed that showdown with Carmelo to fuel his development as a core player on this roster. Carmelo brought his A game and the matchup set the tome for the best yoot game of the year. Gallinari is far from a finished product and it will be interesting to watch him struggle through his next 4-16 night. On the other hand, something tells me there will be more nights the Knicks crowd will stand and high five their closest neighbor.

You will KNOW when things have changed on the real when the Knicks enter a road arena for pre game warmups, and get booed.

That is a clear sign of respect.