Whats the deal with this kid? I was checking out his stats and he's only played in 2 games. A number 6 pick, did New York screw this one up? Or was the pick Mafia related? After all he is Italian and it is New York... Anyway, what are your thoughts, Does anyone know his status?
The only 'good news' is that the back injury isn't heriditary - it's from a collision. Jury will be out on Gallinari until he proves himself - personally I think he's got what it takes, but I guess we'll see next season?
Did Donnie Walsh really expect Knicks fans to like this deal? At least pick a guy who's NBA ready or has a chance of playing.
Exact same thing I was thinking, especially now that there are so many issues with Marbury and Isiah Thomas, and the hiring of D'antoni. I really don't know what he was thinking, what position do the Knicks lack in? I liked DJ Augustin... whose their point?
I'm pretty sure D'Antoni had a hand in the deal and so far I bet they're loving D'Antoni. The Knicks are 5-3 and the players look re-energized. If Isiah was still there, Marbury would probably be starting and the players would be walking around with their heads down. There were no significant roster changes and the East has clearly improved this season. If the Knicks make the playoffs, big props to D'Antoni.
Yeah, probably. Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against drafting a project player like Gallinari, all i'm saying is Knicks fans have been absolutely tortured by mediocrity for years. Now, you're asking them accept a draft pick like this? It was Donnie Walsh's first big move...and a move that for the time being is rather unimpressive. That's all i'm saying. Given the Knicks and their borderline disasterous PG situation they could have taken an Augustin or Bayless and looked more concerned with winning right away rather than in the future. Fortunately for them and as you pointed out, D'Antoni seems to have other plans. If he keeps this up, I agree he deserves major props.
Yeah, Crawford is a lot better than people realize. Scoring aside, he can handle PG duties very well. I still think a Duhon/Robinson/Roberson trio is weak though.
As a new york knicks fan (rockets too as you can see) i would have loved to have ahad the #1 pick. drose would look so good (no homo lol) in the Mike D system. all that said Galli has a nice game. hope he comes back in the second half of the season.
Of course, as you read through this thread, you noticed that Gallinari was injured in the summer league, and the injury played up again after the second game of the season. Which is why he hasn't been playing... As far as being NBA ready, the kid has had 2 years playing in a mans league over in Europe, his team made the 'big dance' (Euroleague finals) both years, and he was a 26mpg and 33 mpg player in those 2 years. Did I mention he scored 17.5ppg with 6 boards, 2 steals, less than 2 TOs and shot 40% from 3? He was as 'NBA ready' as any of the players in that draft - all the pre-draft rankings had him going early and being one of the best prospects in the draft. So whoever had their fingers over the selection (and it's reported D'Antoni made the call) it was a pretty solid selection. There's just as much chance as a kid from college not panning out in the NBA as a European kid (See Woods, Loren etc).
He just needs to get healthy. He would fit in well in the current Knicks system. Him, Chandler, and randolph can be very versatile frontcourt. As bad as Isiah is at coaching and making trades... I have to say he is pretty good at picking up talents in the draft. Hopefully, d'antonie would continue that with Gallinari.
Agreed. The only problem was that he kept picking 2/3 types every year.... and then overpaying for more 2/3s - and then scrapping the whole plan and drafting/signing a bunch of 4s. He had the talent, just couldn't coach them.
I respect your opinion but I don't want to get into some USA college vs. Euro League "Which better prepares you for the NBA/Which is more competitive?" argument. Euro League stats have proven to be distorted many times. There's been plenty of high level Euro players that come over to the NBA then can't sniff the floor or aren't half as NBA ready as previously thought. Nothing against Gallinari but IIRC just about scouting report I read on him suggested he wasn't ready yet and was more of a project player. I could be wrong and I must admit I have not seen him play yet. Just saying that's the general impression I got.
