Two preseason games in, and Danilo Gallinari is already taking steps backwards. Granted, he didn’t take too many steps forward on the court last year, but gushing comments and optimistic articles since the close of the 08-09 campaign have instilled a palpable sense of hope in our fan base for the type of numbers he could put up this year.
But “could” is theoretical. And two terrible shooting performances deep, it is only fair to balance out the hopeful with, well, the real.
So what’s the deal? According to the NY Post, his legs could have a lot to do with his early struggles:
“Danilo Gallinari’s 3-for-13 shooting performance in two preseason games is enough to have Mike D’Antoni hedging on his statement that Gallinari is “one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen.”
“That statement came before training camp, but after Gallinari clanked through a 1-for-7 outing in Friday’s 96-82 loss to the Celtics, D’Antoni said with a nervous laugh, “I may have to reassess that.”
“Conditioning appears to be the main issue, as Gallinari seems to have very little power in his legs after a week of training camp and a week of practice.”
The notion that conditioning is a factor in Dino’s early struggles is very, very disappointing.
I do not question the kids natural shooting touch, or his potential at the NBA level. But what was he — and, of equal culpability, the team’s conditioning staff — doing if not staying in shape while he was injured?
I refuse to accept that all he was able to do was ride a stationary bike all year and off season.
Given the hype surrounding this kid and all the supposed grit he shows during practice, not being in good enough shape to hit your jump shot is simply inexcusable in my eyes…
Who’s Dino?
It is way too early to worry about Gallo’s shooting touch. If Gallo shot 10-13 all doubters would want him to be the number one guy early in the season. Break him in slow because he is still a rookie. We have to be patient with the kid and make sure he gets his 15-20 minutes a night.
There is not much talent on the team. We have a group of jump shooters and only one true low post threat, who is not playing. As much as we dislike Eddy Curry without his low post scoring we will not win enough games to get to the 8th seed. The offense takes a lot of shots that any team would be glad to let them take. It is only fair to criticize Dantoni’s coaching because the ball does not go down to the post much in this offense. Even he does not have the low post talent. He has to look at Al Harrington as our low post threat and maybe Wilson Chandler. 80% of our offense is a perimeter shot. We clearly need a more balanced attack. Attack is the key word. Jump shots bail out the defense and do not draw fouls. There is no pressure on the defense. I’m looking forward to see how well we play against Philly and there more balanced offense. Don’t think they will be better without A. Miller
I’m not concerned with his shooting or conditioning, I’m more concern about the Who Tommy likes to call our team leaders &/or veterans ( i e, AL, Duhon, JJ & Hughes) freezing him out of the offense & stunting his development.
Gallo obviously is deferring to our team leaders out there & that’s why he is nt moving around on the court.
These players have no future on our team & D’antoni has to do everything he can to make sure the young guns develop this year.
When JJ takes more shots than Gallo or Will something is definetly wrong.
“In Donnie we trust”…
I think its funny you say it is inexcusable for him not being in good enough shape to hit his jumper because if you have ever had an injury or a back injury for that matter you would know everything you can do is harder and you have less power. You have to remember he is 21 and had his back worked on.If you have every had a injury that needs surgery that you couldn’t do work after you loose alot of endurence, you dont relize after not doing alot of work for months you cant just jump into it like nothing happened.You always have it in your mind if i do this am i going to get hurt and the team isnt going to work him like they would before. And him putting on weight didnt help because he probable wasnt working out so it is fat not muscle. If you dont know your back effects everything, when your back is damaged it needs to heal and your nerves dont heal that fast its going to take time for him to play 100% look at other players who have back problems.(also running in this system doesnt help him)
You know, the knicks should have the best strength and condition team in the world but it seems we dont. Our guys constantly have nagging injuries and tears and this and that. Even yesterday when David Lee took the elbow in the eye why did it take so long for the doctor to get his gloves on and start treating him. Its just rediculous. Lets find the best team of people and help these guys out.
I think it’s only normal for a player coming from a back injury. It happens to plenty of players all over the planet in all sports. Some players just take longer getting ready. Jamal Crawford never had a decent shooting performance in pre-season.
when the knicks get a better coach i will take them serious….
donnie is just sticking to his plan
an hill wasn’t all his choice
it’s obvious dandummi told him to draft him
not saying anything bad about hill mayb he will be good..
“when the knicks get a better coach”
are u serious?
MD is a great coach…everyone he had coached loves him (marbury doens’t count). Our roster is just awful right now, therefore even phil jackson or popovich can’t get a winning record from this roster.
the knicks don’t have superstars but they have good enough players
but with this rucker style coach u can’t get the best outta the players.
dandummi will never coach a team better than he had with the suns an will never win a chip in this league…
the coach makes the plays the coach tells the players what to do therefore his goal with this roster is 2 take as many 3′s as u can.
never was a fan of dandummi an i knew his suns wasn’t gonna win the big 1 even if horry didn’t flop an got amare suspended..
knicks needs a coach that likes his team to play hard an very physical an yes u do need players with that mentality..
as for gillan if he doesn’t have a good year this year he will never be anything more
especially if that bad will never be good…
The players loving a coach does not a great coach make.
nobody tells WALSH who to draft
DaGawd – your topic is not even the discussion now so save that for another day. And by the way you are not alone thinking that Mike D is not the right guy for this team.
Now about the topic. This is just his SECOND preseason game. Cut him a break. RELAX people. Also don’t you think the veterans know that if they don’t feed gallo the ball they will be out before their expiring contract run out? Yes they do.
I finish my comments the way I always do. If LBJ decides to wear a home white jersey @ MSG all will be alright.
yea your rite…
i just wanted to get it out man.
sorry it wasn’t on topic..
if you ever had a bad back or back surgery,you would know how difficult it is to do anything,let alone stay in shape,and let alone stay in NBA shape.After Larry Johnsons back went,he could barely dunk it the rest of his carreer and had to drasticly change his approach to the game.I surely hope this isnt the case with GALLO
good point with larry
an when a player has back probs what game they bring in?
it’s the 3pt game they work on
barkley also has a bad back but he was still a strong rebounder
every1 is different but a bad back limits u from an all around game of b-ball..
Look… i dont know how hes gonna end up… i think he has amazing skills but will they translate? i don’t know… I don’t think his lack of conditioning is an issue, nor is his shooting percentage so far.
Danilo Gallinari looks like Brad Lohaus to me.
Bring back Brad Lohaus, he can be had for cheap! :p
Hey apparently you need to get on the treadmill.
Hey what’s Shawn Kemp up to nowadays?
hes up to here on me
The guy’s coming off back surgery. I think it’s a little harsh to be disappointed in him for not getting in playing shape in the two months he’s been healthy enough to play.
Also, a 56 rating for Gallo in NBA 2K10? Come On!
What would you give him? If you weren’t a Knicks fan, be honest or better try and be impartial and unbiased. Think about it.
Ok that’s it, I am hitting the treadmill today AND the elliptical!