Gallo's 2009 Progress

by philee on Dec 22, 2009 1:13 PM EST

In the beginning of the year, everyone and their mom was clamoring that Chandler and Gallo needed to show improvement to entice other FA's to come on board. Well, I can't argue that, but as Seth posted on a comment that goes something like, 'Fuck 2010', I figure it'd be best to concentrate on what Gallo's progress is this season (Chandler to come later) and what we should be looking forward to for the rest of this year. (Stats and analysis after the jump)

For Gallo, let's just compare his first 28 games last season (with an injured back) and this year's first 26 games:

2008:
14.7 minutes/game
6.1 Pts/game
.5 Ast/game
2.0 TRB/game
.5 Stl/game
.1 blk/game
.448% FG
.444% 3pt

2009:
29.7 minutes/game
14.0 Pts/game
1.4 Ast/game
4.7 TRB/game
1 Stl/game
.8 blk/game
.432% FG
.423% 3pt

COCK BLOCKING
Obviously Gallo had his back issues, but that didn't stop him from lighting it up from deep, hitting 44.4% of the 3's he took. Also in the limited runs he got, he at least showed he could toss in a steal a game. The real surprise is in the bold: the Cock Blocks.

He's upped his blocks essentially by 4 times (if blk.game were adjusted to .2 blk/game) the amount he did in '08/09. I think the increase in blocks has a lot to do with getting his back strengthened. No ones going to mistake him for D-Ho, but at the least, he's shown he can play some D, between his IQ and ability to front his man and go for the block when necessary.

OUTLOOK BASED ON EVERYTHING ELSE
What do the rest of the stats show? For one, despite the increase in minutes, attempts, and responsibilities, he's still shooting at a fairly the same rate from last year and doesn't raise any red flags based on his past vs. present performance. It's VERY easy to see Gallo averaging 20/game at some point in his career, and by the end of the year, I see him putting in a month of roughly 18-20 pts/game, granted he gets the time. Two, his efficiency hasn't really dropped; he's still averaging roughly the same amount of TO's/per game after adjusting mins played (1.3 in '08/09 to 1.6 in 2009).

The things I see him improving in that the stats don't show is his FTA/game and Ast/game. He's only been averaging 2.5 FTA/game, but he seems to be going to the hoop more consistently the past month (only based on the eye test), and as he continues to strengthen and get used to the rigors of the NBA, I expect him to take it to the hole more often, especially on nights his shot is not there. As far as Ast/game, he doesn't really get to showcase his skills as a point forward often, but that hasn't been really his responsibility. I think as the season wears on, I think he'll get more chances to run the pick and roll and have offensive sets run through him, but that again is just a hunch.

Let me know your thoughts on Gallo on what's been up to, faux hawk aside...

dani

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm Sold on Gallo

I think he has huge upside potential and is already a significant contributor to the Knicks efforts this year. If he stays healthy, he can be an all-star forward in this league multiple times.

by Jeff I on Dec 23, 2009 6:09 PM EST reply actions

THe guy gets better every single game.

More confidence on D. More confidence driving to the rack.

I’m thinking we’ll see him draw more fouls as the season goes on too.

The Cock Blocking is great..its really not cuz he’s a great leaper (obviously..) but cuz of excellent timing.

He’s turning into a very good defender…I wonder if Jeffries is the one teaching him….

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions

I've been noticing

That he’s looking more toned and wiry, and looks to be getting more air on his jumps. But I think the thing with him is that his competitiveness extends to the defensive end, and all facets of the game, not just scoring.

by fuhry on Dec 23, 2009 9:57 PM EST reply actions

clearly Gallinari has a high ceiling

with his youth and his rate of development, I think he is gonna be a beloved Knick for many years. I don’t wanna bother with ridiculous comparisons to All-Star/MVP caliber players (how long until someone mentions Dirk Nowitski?) like the Sportswriters will, but I think he is gonna be a longtime Knick favorite.

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Dec 24, 2009 9:22 AM EST reply actions

No, not a Dirk. A BIRD!

by schmosterballs92 on Dec 24, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

i have compared their nos

at age 20 and 21 season

wet dreams?

by a hay on Jan 4, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

He has huge potential.

I have been guarded about Gallo so far. I see flashes of Larry Bird greatness, but he needs time to develope. I love the fact that his defense is getting better so fast, a product of more floor time. I also love the fact that he’s driving to the hoop more, also a product of more floor time. Numbers are a small part of the story though. His numbers last year mean even less. He still has a long way to go to maximize his potential.

by gaga71 on Dec 29, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions

are you kidding me?

you want to compare Danilo Gallinari to Larry Bird.

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Dec 29, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

not saying he will be...

but uhh…Larry Bird had a Full tour in college and came into the NBA as a polished 23 year old.

Probably not gonna happen, but that’s around his ceiling.

I think he’s a better shooter then Hedo, but he’s got similar handles as he gets more confident (pause?).

Yea..He definitely has some Bird in him. He’s a few years younger then Bird even right now, so give him time.

When he’s 23..if he’s 20/10 and 4.5 assits..yea, the Bird comparison’s will really start.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 29, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

It may seem far-fetched

But I see this too. Like Bird, he doesn’t appear particularly athletic, but he has a certain competitiveness and seems to have a feel for the total game – shooting, passing, defense, rebounding… Like Bird, he has a great shooting ability, but whether he can really be as effective as Bird was remains to be seen. I don’t see that consistency yet, but with confidence, who knows? Also has a bad back like Bird. Thing is, I think Bird was more of an inside player, and was a little thicker of torso. I don’t know if we’ll see that from Gallo and you may never see him average 10 rebounds. And he is slightly less ugly than Bird. Slightly.

by fuhry on Dec 30, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

they were both picked 6 in the nba draft too..

by thePharcyde on Jan 7, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions

Good Point..

About Bird being a more of an inside player, but I think Gallo can be a 20/10 guy with 5 assists to boot. All of this is very premature of course. He hasn’t even played half of a full season yet, but David Lee gives him someone to learn from in terms of inside game. I think his inside game is on schedule to grow faster than predicted last year because it shows on the court sometimes. When comparing him to Bird, im talking about that quick sweet jumpshot or the robotic drives to the basket that are most likely to draw fouls or poke your eye out with an elbow. Of course Bird was a superstar in college, playing at a high level upon entering the pros. Gallo has a long way to go and there is ONLY ONE BIRD, thank goodness for us Knick fans.

by gaga71 on Jan 2, 2010 5:28 PM EST reply actions

wow. 20/10 5?

That would put Gallo up around Lebron, Kobe, Chris Paul. No pressure, right?

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Jan 5, 2010 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Pressure?!

He’s 6’10" so averaging 10 rebounds shouldn’t be too hard, he’s got a sweet shot, so 20pts per isn’t impossible, he’s seems pretty smart so 5 assists isn’t off the radar.Most importantly, he’s a pro, he doesn’t have to do anything but live and breath basketball for the rest of his time in the NBA. Unless your his father, I could give a rat’s @#$ about how much pressure he feels.

by gaga71 on Jan 6, 2010 2:32 PM EST reply actions

All of those stats are achievable individually

but altogether? Well, it doesn’t happen. The only guy in the past 10 years to pull a 20/10/5 line is Kevin Garnett.

Only 3 guys had a 20/10 line last year: Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul. Duncan, Gasol, & Yao Ming all nearly did it, but were a shade under 10 rebs. There were 6 the year before that.

There are only a few guys who can avaerage nearly 20 ppg, 5+ rebs, 4+ assists…. Wade, Gasol, Nowitski, LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, Duncan, Vince Carter, Iguodala, Paul Pierce, Barndon Roy, Joe Johnson, KG.

Yeah, I think Gallinari is good. Very good even. But look at this list, dude. All I’m sayin is temper those expectations. And using Superstars and Hall of Famers to compare Gallo to isnt realistic either. If somehow he manages a season like of that calibur, that will be phenomenal. But likely he won’t. And if he somehow does, it would prob be 3-4 years down the road. I expect he will score plenty. 16ppg, 4reb, 3ass feels like a realistic line. I’d rather not think of his as disappointing if he misses those marks too.

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Jan 6, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions