Danilo Gallinari Is a Knick.

by Seth on Jun 26, 2008 9:56 PM EDT in Draft Things Comment 11 comments

My initial reaction was probably a lot like yours- fury, bewilderment, sadness- but I'm slowly coming to terms with this pick. Let's look at some speculative pros and cons:

The Good

- All sources who actually know him say this kid isn't Bargnani reincarnated. He's got a tough and varied offensive game, as well as legitimate size and decent bulk.

- This is probably a step up from the Q-Rich/Jeffries/Chandler triumvirate of mediocrity.

- Tim Legler, Dick Vitale, and Mark Jackson all ripped the pick. That's gotta be a good omen.

- He's got a D'Antonirific game: sweet shooting, solid finishing, and a superior handle for a big dude.

- His nickname, "Il Gallo", translates to "The Cock". Bad words are funny.

- It's been a while since a real stud came from overseas. Perhaps the time has come?

- He likes to win.

- We got to hear Donnie Walsh utter the phrase "unusual package".

- David Lee appears to be safe for the time being

The Bad

- The Knicks were lacking in defense, passing, and leadership. Gallinari does not supplement any of these deficits.

- The point guard situation is still unresolved.

- Unless Gallinari defies his scouting report, New York now has the worst defensive frontcourt in the history of basketball. It's unbelievable.

- If you saw the instantly classic "I like to win" interview, you'll know that Gallinari's English is...imperfect.

All told, I've recovered from my outrage. I'm nervous, and still pretty bummed, but Gallinari seems like a good guy and a promising player, and I don't think Walsh is done for the summer. Let's reserve judgment and have faith in our new, wiser, GM and coach, eh? More on this later.

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Everybody Just Fucking Chill.

Walt. Clyde. Frazier:
“Tenacious D from Italy!”
“The Cock with the block!”

I’m just getting started people, and Clyde is probably going to be up all night.

"I'll probably go get lifted right now with Greg. Hey, and come back tomorrow and try to get another win."

-Renaldo

by solanumbrella on Jun 26, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Very nice!

He’ll probably pronounce his last name “Garlinarli”, too.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 26, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

i like it

but lee’s probably gone, sadly…

d’antoni said he envisions the cock at the 4.

by riise on Jun 26, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

I like it....

We better not get rid of Lee though..

and he wears number 8….sweet

The Four-Point Play, read it bitches

by Arichmix on Jun 26, 2008 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

just returned from the draft. am despondent.

these guys came up to me and my friends with a camera as I was leaving and were like “ARE YOU A KNICKS FAN SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR KNICKS.COM” and I was like “I hope this turns out better than Fred Weis” because that was the most positive thing I could think of and then they were like “DO YOU HAVE FAITH IN MIKE D’ANTONI SAY YOU HAVE FAITH IN MIKE D’ANTONI” and purportedly there is video of me on knicks.com saying “I have faith in Mike D’Antoni and I hope this works out…. yeah…” but I really don’t feel like watching it.

The Son of Dippin.

by Barnesgasm on Jun 27, 2008 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know...

...if anybody else gives a shit, but at least Patrick Ewing Jr. got drafted (by Sactown). I loved watching him at Georgetown and I’m pretty sure he’s one of the more athletic people on the planet. I think he’ll be a good defender and an energy guy off the bench, if he ever gets a chance in the NBA.

"I'll probably go get lifted right now with Greg. Hey, and come back tomorrow and try to get another win."

-Renaldo

by solanumbrella on Jun 27, 2008 12:26 AM EDT reply actions

i loved watching him at IU

and I wish he would’ve stuck it out there. he could’ve been a major contributor in ‘05-06 and ‘06-07 (had to sit out a year to transfer to GU) instead of a ten-minute-per-game guy like he was at G’Town.

he’s more athletic than Balkman – if that’s possible.

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on Jun 27, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

his name

will get him some NBA burn so he can prove himself

by DoctorK16 on Jun 28, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

i myself was gonna add

that clyde might be put out of business by the addition of an italian player to the team. andrea bagnani is always “barn-yarni,” and even our own ronaldo balkman is “barlkman.” gallinari will be either “garlinari,” “garinari,” “garn-yarni” or a combination of a few.

that being said, i’m feeling pretty good about the pick. i don’t think there’s a question about his potential, and its clear that a high level of skill-including ability to handle the ball, good body control, fondness for drawing contact (and ability to finish regardless), and some shooting range-is already possessed.

perhaps the knicks will ride the cock to a playoff berth sometime in the future…

by SamH on Jun 27, 2008 3:30 AM EDT reply actions

Lee is gone.

We need too much help to keep a 3/4 tweener that can’t shoot. At least that will be the logic in the pick, whether or not we agree.

Personally, I don’t care who goes if it means we improve rapidly. They have guaranteed contracts. I just don’t really want to root for the global icon in ‘10, that’s for sure.

by OTP on Jun 27, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

passing and leadership

by most accounts i’ve read, these are two of gallo’s biggest strengths. Used to play point, plays heavy minutes for a really good veteran club, as their star. no d, but the rest of his game sounds about right.

by tkired on Jun 29, 2008 9:34 AM EDT reply actions