Gallo Lookin’ for Home Cookin’

by Tommy Dee on October 13th, 2009 at 9:15 am

Via Isola-

“…Gallinari, whose rookie season ended abruptly when he underwent back surgery, has struggled to find his shot in the Knicks’ first two preseason games. The 6-foot-10 forward has made just three of 13 shots, including 1-for-7 on Friday against the Celtics.

“I think he’s in a little bit of a funk with his shot,” says Mike D’Antoni, who on the eve of training camp called Gallinari the best shooter he’d ever seen. “I haven’t seen him make one since I said it.”

Gallinari claims that his back is strong and yet his overall fitness doesn’t seem ready for the grind of an 82-game regular season. It’s understandable considering the amount of time Gallinari missed. The Knicks are hopeful that between now and the club’s Oct. 28 season opener in Miami, Gallinari will continue to build the strength in his legs – which is crucial, especially for a shooter…”

Via Berman-

“…Every Knicks fan knows one of the only chances the club has to improve on last season’s 32-50 record is if Gallinari has a breakthrough year. Gallinari played in just 28 games last season because of a bulging disc. The Knicks unveil virtually the same cast as 2008-2009 tonight before fans who deserve a Purple Heart for showing up.

Coach Mike D’Antoni took the blame yesterday for creating undue expectations with his best-shooter-I’ve-ever-seen remark.

“I probably threw him into a tailspin,” D’Antoni said. “He has plenty of time to recover. I haven’t seen him make much since I said it.”

Gallinari had resisted D’Antoni’s theory he has “wobbly legs” from enduring his first full training camp. But yesterday Gallinari finally acknowledged some fatigues.

“I’m feeling good with my body,” he said. “I have to work to get in the best shape. I’m not in the best shape right now.”

Jump shooting is about rhythm and confidence. Two things that can be cured with a good game at the Garden.

Health is not an issue at this point, and there’s plenty of time for Gallo to get himself in game shape. After all, that’s kind of what preseason is for.
  • HaS

    I really want to like this guy, seriously. I’m probably the only one on this site who is less than convinced about his potential. He hasn’t done anything yet imo. He had a couple nice moments against players that had no idea what to expect from him. When teams start game planning for him how will he adjust then? That’s the question.

    He’s here now, so I’m hoping he turns out to be a decent player, but I just don’t see a stud. I’ll settle for better than a dud.

  • Mucha

    Good thread – I like the fact that it is based on more than 1 article.

    Gallinari has “it” in my opinion – his euro career was way more impressive than Rubio’s – but I don’t think he’ll be healthy/strong enough to have a “breakthrough year” this season. Hopefully time will prove me wrong, anything less than 15ppg/4rpg/2apg would be hugely disappointing in my opinion.

  • Sergio

    Prepare to be disappointed. No way Danilo Gallinari averages 15 ppg. I’d be shocked if he gets 10 ppg.

  • Sergio

    You have be depressed if you’re a Knicks fan. The two biggest players we needed to have great years – Gallo and Jordan Hill – look like crap. How in a Star FA going to sign here if he has no help? Gallo and Hill must start showing something soon.

  • HaS

    He did have a decent euro career but it’s hard to equate that to how it will translate to numbers in the NBA. Most European players turn out to be soft and never really dominate in the NBA.

  • HaS

    And unfortunately Chandler wasn’t able to work on his game either.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    As great as galo’s potential and over-all skill set are, you can’t expect him to have a breakout year and actually control games for us.

    He was already weak to begin with, and then he had back surgery and sat out for something like 6 months.

    When you sit out that long, your muscles lose endurance and the ‘pop’ they need to play in the NBA. It takes a while to get back into game shape. Ask any player who sits out that long, they are never themselves right when they come back.

    But Galo was never even in game shape in the first place, so he has such a larger mountain to climb then, let’s say, Amare Stoudemire, who once was the most explosive PF in the NBA before sitting out due to eye surgery.

    If galo can stay healthy all year, than i really believe he will become a great player, but not this year, or at least not in the first half. He needs an entire year of physical strengthening and growth in order to be able to physically play this game. A year of uninterupted NBA basketball (his minutes will be there if he doesn’t get injured) should do wonders for him, and if he starts to do really well after the allstar break, imagine our expectations next year…. We just can’t get our hopes up for this year though.

    If he plays 25 minutes a a game and average something like 12 4 and 4 i will be happy. Most importantly, i want to see him improve throughout the year and stay healthy.,

  • SilentJay

    I think the fitness and confidence factors are quite true (you can see from a couple miles away, for example, that Hill looks pretty scared out there for now).
    Once Gallo finds both of those things, we’ll see what comes out, and it’ll be the right time to make a good evaluation of what he can bring overall to the team. The guy definitely fot passion and you can see it when he understand he’s not in his game, he just pisses at himself everytime he makes a mistake; he has the basketball IQ and definitely has good court vision and passing. We have to wait it out and see what happens once he catches up with the rest, but I´ll put my chips on stud. I hope time proves me right, but I would definitely understand “better than a dud” comment. European players do have the tendencies to turn out soft.

  • SilentJay

    I think the best moment to start foreseeing what might happen in the next free agency will be after the trade deadline. Who knows what type of moves (if any) will be done. There’s a chance JJ’s contract will be moved, and we can still pray for Curry to start playing (although I see his contract unmovable). Maybe we can get a draft pick out of that or a decent player. The point is, if at least JJ’s contract goes, the money available for the next FA not only can be implemented ion a max contract, but a good enough offer for a player like Ginobili, just to set an example (if my math serves me correctly).
    If I’m wrong, please correct me. Biggie, I know money movement and rules are your area.