A Look to the Future- by Justin Charles

by Tommy Dee on November 11th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Welcome Justin (Jcmoney) to the fold. Justin will be adding insight and monitoring the young bucks.

           Despite the turmoil within the New York Knicks roster, the Knicks have a foursome of bright young talent locked into contracts beyond this season. After several games this season, I will try to analyze how all of our youngsters have contributed and what they need to do to improve.

Future Player of the Game:
1.) Toney Douglas: 21 PTS, 9-14 FG, 2 STL
Douglas had by far his best game of the season, getting 23 minutes including the majority of the fourth quarter. Despite missing the final shot to tie the game, he showed good judgment with his shots allowing most to come within the flow of the game. The extra work on his shot is evident as he went 3-7 from beyond the arc. He was, as only Clyde could describe, “moovin’ and groovin’” with two ridiculous drives that tied the game, eliciting Duhon to jump off the bench with a smile. He was also great in the zone defense rotating from player to player and pestering the opposing Guards. If he is going to be getting significant minutes at point guard, however, he needs to start taking better care of the ball. He had two of his passes land in the hands of the Jazz and seemed to bobble the ball a few times. This will come with more experience. Overall, a great game by Toney Douglas.

2.) Wilson Chandler: 17 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST
Very solid game from Chandler, do not loose hope in him yet. He was having some trouble with his 3pt shot but was pretty consistent with his mid-range game. He looked great when in the fast break and if the team can push the ball more his value will increase. Had a good rebounding game as well and played nicely within the zone defense. Do not give up on Chandler yet, he is going to be a very solid player.

3.) Danilo Gallinari: 7 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK
The Rooster seemed to disappear a lot in this game. He was not really making much of an impact on either side of the ball, and ended up sitting a majority of the fourth quarter. He had two nice blocks in the first half, one on the first play of the game. He also got his hands in the passing lanes more than usual, but several times fell asleep in the zone defense. Andre Kirilenko hit 5 three pointers, and several times Gallinari was caught off guard trying to run to get a hand in his face. There was several times where it seemed he was just standing around, not only on defense but also on offense. It seems when he fatigues a little he tends to get lazy and not move as well off the ball. When cutting to the basket and setting picks, he becomes more effective, but when he fails to move a lot, like in today’s game, he gets lost.

4.) Jordan Hill: DNP-CD
Hill couldn’t get any minutes in a close game; Hopefully, we will see some of him against the Hawks tonight.
  • Magik_Trick

    Danilo needs to be more consistant, once game…hes wetting contested 3s in Thaddeus Youngs face, and the next…hes shooting bricks and airballs

    Douglas is a workhorse….im not worried about him, he’ll be a very solid pro for the next 8-10 years

    I have a love/hate relationship with Chandler…..

    And i want to see Hill get more minutes, I think he can be something special, if given the chance

  • knicks4ever

    um…is there a reason that u failed to mention that Gallo was gettin frozen out of the offense. Obviously ur gonna dissapear if no one gives u the ball. ANd when a team plays zone defense, you kind of have to force teams to take outside shots. Thats what a zone defense is. And your criticizing Gallo for running out to guard Kirelenko. When Gallo was out of the game, the Knicks just stood around and watched while Kirelenko shot. At least, Gallo did something.

  • itzyung1

    Gallo isn’t as inconsistent as people think, The ball just doesn’t make it his way that much especially in the 4th quarter and thats when his shots go in the most.
    Put it How you want Ghostface, Gallo, and Hill is a nice young core.
    We should of traded for Joakim Noah when we had the chance.
    Id give them Chandler and Lee for Noah.

  • Boots

    Have to agree with knicks4ever on Gallo. I timed 13 minutes between touches in the first half. This negates the reason for starting him. He appears to be a player who has to be warmed up to shoot effectively, and not instant offense off the bench. Having him stand around like Kiki in the days of yore, when Strickland and Wilkens were “ignoring” him, is not the way to keep him in the game. When Gallo is meaningfully involved, you can see the intensity in his eyes and you can see it die when they have him standing around like a stalk of broccoli on the arc.

    I’d like to see Gallo get the ball on the move on a regular basis. Many times, I’ve watched him run the sidelines on the break, or at least on Duhon’s trot down the court, open with his hands up and Duhon ignores him, he makes his cut at the arc and is ignored, he cuts thorugh the paint and is ignored. Finally, he ends up on what always beomes the weakside, and is ignored. He gets the ball at the end of the clock as the last option or on a .broken play (if you can call it a play). Why draft a big who can dribble, handle, pass and shoot to have him stand in the corner?

    Most times, the ball goes to, never through, Lee or Harrington. When N8 is in the game, the ball only goes to Harrington. I tire of their two man game on a five man team.

    BTW, Chandler still can’t play on the same court as Harrington. He goes into a passive fugue and becomes another stalk out on the arc. It started when Harrington came and has remained the same.

  • HaS

    Welcome Justin.

    I’m not seeing this “freezing out” of Danilo that people keep mentioning. I’m seeing a guard who can’t penetrate and kick out (Duhon), a backup to the backup (Toney) who isn’t a true point guard but is a talented guard, a bunch of other players who aren’t known for being passers (Harrington, Chandler, Hughes etc.) and when Galinari does get the ball he can’t do anything with it.

    He’s too slow afoot to get around his man unless the guy is running out at him. I’d like to see him get stronger and get into the post, if he works on his turnaround J he’ll be deadly. Darko and him seem to play well together (is his career over yet?).

    Hill I can’t make a judgement on until he plays.

    Toney Douglas does some thing well, I like his game I love his defensive focus he still gambles a little too much, but he’ll get better with experience. He’s going to be a tough defender at the guard position for years to come. He can put pressure on opposing guards at the other end with his speed also. He doesn’t seem very explosive vertically, but from baseline to baseline he’s pretty quick.

    Wilson Chandler is a good player, some people want him to play with more emotion, but I don’t really care about that. He should continue to let his game do the talking if that’s his personality. He wasn’t able to work on his game this past offseason due to ankle surgery so it’s kind of hard to expect him to take the next step (pun not intended) in his development this year. He upper body looks stronger, hopefully next year he can work on his ball handling, body control and shooting.

    The future isn’t bright, but it’s still blurry so hopefully once it comes into focus we all like what we see.

  • jcmoney

    HaS – I think you are spot on about the “freezing out” of Gallo. To say that the players are freezing him out is a pretty harsh accusation to his teammates. I love him and think he’ll be a great player but he isn’t exactly fast so he’s not really beating his man anywhere and he isn’t getting himself really open. When you combine that with the fact that he isn’t playing with any real playmakers or anyone commanding a double team, he isn’t going to get as many touches as we’d like to see. Its frustrating to watch because he has such a good shot and you want him to rack up the points so bad, but he needs to get better at getting open and moving without the ball.

  • Boots

    Tonight, Hawk’s game, Gallo gets off to a great start on both ends, and D’Antoni sits him after six minutes. Then they’ll talk about him having an uneven game. Go figure.

    Let ua see if he is cold when he returns.

  • vinrummy

    Don’t take this as criticism of him, because so far I’ve been impressed by Toney Douglas…but does he remind anyone else of Greg Anthony?

    I’m see a talented combo guard who is feisty, fearless, tough, a good defender and plays with a strut….BUT at the same time he’s got questionable shot selection, doesn’t make the best decisions with the basketball, and will eventually get himself in quite a few skirmishes in the league.

    That said, he’s been a pleasure to watch so far because players with his mentality and athleticism have been rare for the Knicks over the ast decade.

    OK, back to watching the Hawks/Knicks game. THey’re actually showing signs of life and playing how they SHOULD be.

  • jaknicksfan

    He wasn’t cold when he came back in he just never got the ball. Harrington is a Ballhog and doesn’t pass the ball at all all he thinks about is scoring nothing else until he’s traded Gallo or chandler will never get many shots. They both Defer to him they are both young and respectful but they need to shoot when they are open because if they don’t he will!

  • Mucha

    Gallinari doesn’t move without the ball well and his shot selection is questionable at times BUT the “freezing out” is not a mirage, even though it has not reached scandalous proportions (obviously).

    He once got the ball when the shotclock was expiring (against the Bucks or Pacers I believe)… and that was his first touch in like 3 or 4 minutes.

  • Boots

    Hey, Greg Anthony and his toughness would be a welcome addition to this team.

  • jaknicksfan

    Why the hell is Jeffries even in the game in the 4th quarter? He’s Brutal Douglas is playing great! Let’s comeback and Win!

  • jaknicksfan

    Another Brutal Game this is getting to be Too Much! Lee can’t play the 5 its unbearable to watch. Please start Hill or Darko at the 5!

  • Campbana

    AYO, Everybody talking about how Gallo need to step his game up and how TD is incomplete and all that. Did you feast your eyes on D.LEE getting ig boyed by baby face Horford. CMON MAN….. LEE is suspect and dudes are looking past him and citing players that they dont like flaws. Everybody has an opinion and I can respect that however see the whole court. Gallo does need to be more active and productive and I suspect that he will grow as a player. But this kid DLEE is getting yanked on, bodied down inn the paint by so so cats and then has the nerve to pull up for that disgusting homemade jumpshot/set shot whatever you wanna call it!! DW get on the phone!! And that little heartless joker Duhon doesnt even deserve to be on the practice squad. He’s scared to death cominig up the court. Going to the rack is not in his DNA. Dude is a bonafide bum and cannot lead this team or any team to consistant victories. Peace to all the Knick fans. I’d rather see J Hill stinking it up than see dudes puttin nutts all over DLEE’s back and chest and head and all that. Horrible. OH Yeah , GO KNICKS. Welcopme Back EDDIE CURRY.

  • Bob

    hey when the best shooter on the team is taking the least amount of shots on the team,he’s being ignored

  • Bob

    Gallo is open all day,just watch the games,and keep an eye on him.add up all the “TOUCHES”by every starter,and you’ll see gallo get half the touches of the others and again ,hes always seems wide open,they dont even look his way

  • Bob

    THIS GAME VS ATLANTA:shots taken:Al Harrington-21
    Toney Douglas-19
    GALLO-8
    whats wrong with that picture?

  • Bob

    i mean the best shooter that MIKE D”antoni ever saw gallo –8 shots

  • Bob

    this def is freezing out,and if it is how come d’antoni doesnt say to the guys”hey pass to gALLO,HES OPEN ALL DAY,WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?”

  • blackwood

    Anybody see how well a rookie point guard on the bucks is playing?? Looking like A.I. in his prime!!! Geez is it just me or is our GM not very good with drafting? Since we are doing this young player report card my question is how much better would we be if we would of had someone else heading up the last 2 drafts or better yet how about we grade our old guy GM!! Right now we could be set at PG and the year before we could have been set at center (Lopez) do we just pretend this is not a fact? The line up could be…

    PG) Jennings
    SG) Chandler
    SF) Harrington
    PF) Lee
    C) Lopez

    Now you guys tell me if you would rather see that and how you would grade our GM now???

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