Danilo Gallinari is not one-dimensional
by Osborn on Nov 18, 2010 3:42 PM EST
in Miscellaneous
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PrintAs many Knicks fans have grown fond of hearing, Danilo Gallinari is a one-trick pony. He came into the NBA with an offensive arsenal that was oft compared to Toni Kukoc, wasn't expected to have a great jump shot, but he had the smarts and the floor vision as well as creativity around the basket to mold himself into a bona fide offensive weapon. Well, Gallo came over to the U.S. and wasted no time in hurting his back. Knicks fans moaned and groaned while basketball talking heads everywhere panned the Italian lottery selection as another Frederic Weis. What happened next, however, was Gallinari's "coming out" party. He returned from injury to play some quasi-meaningful games in January, February and March. During those games, he shot 32 of 71 from three point range, good for about 45% from beyond the arc for the year.
The rest after the jump.
His sophomore season doesn't require much explanation; second in the league in three pointers made only to Aaron Brooks, shooting in the high-30's beyond the arc and establishing himself as a sharpshooter with balls, often demanding the rock in the waning seconds of games to shoot ridiculous shots that would go in more often than it seemed they should. He also showed some promise as a rebounder and shot blocker, as well as flashes of brilliant passing and some true posterizations. Although that last sentence may show the "Knicks homer" side of me, if you were to watch every game from last season, you would be tempted to agree with me. Danilo Gallinari was poised for a breakout season this year.
Somewhere along the way, unfortunately, something happened. Gallinari, rather than earning respect as a sharpshooter, was relegated to the "one dimensional chucker" category. While this may be partially true (I'm lookin' at you, Denver Colorado!) some of the time, it's a crying shame that his other skills, particularly those of the offensive variety, have been almost completely ignored.
Well, not today, not anymore. With a ton of help from last night, the truth is slowly surfacing. Danilo Gallinari is a wizard at getting to the free throw line. Once there, he is, as they sometimes say, "lights out." And sure, some of our faithful Knicks watchers and P&T readers may be familiar with this concept, I would venture a guess that no one could have predicted to what extent Gallinari's talent reaches. So, for everyone's benefit (especially the commentators for the Denver Nuggets, as well as every other commentator, sportscaster, talk radio host and incompetent basketball fan who has ever called Gallo one-dimensional.
What does this mean? Well quite simply, it means that Gallinari is third in the NBA in a ratio that compares "Points per game" with "Points per game obtained at the free throw line." For everyone's benefit, I have taken the liberty of putting not just the names of the two players who are higher than Gallinari in this category (as you may expect, Corey Maggette and Chauncey Billups lead the league in this category), but also players who are considered "savvy" at getting themselves to the line, as well as players who are so powerful they get to the line by virtue of athleticism.
This chart begs the question: "If Gallinari is just a three-point shooter and gets all of his points beyond the arc, how, OH HOW, does he draw so many fouls? I mean, the three-pointer is, after all, the shot in basketball least likely to yield free throw attempts." The answer is simple; everyone who assumes that Danilo Gallinari is a one-trick pony is completely, unarguably, point-blank wrong. With his strange gait and advanced technique for fakes, as well as a penchant for bizarre and effective angles, The Rooster draws fouls much the same way Manu Ginobili has drawn fouls his whole career. Once at the line, he converts at better than a 90% clip.
So, call your neighbor. Tell your friends. E-mail your local TV station or call in to your local radio station. Let everyone know once and for all: Danilo Gallinari of the New York Knicks can do more than just shoot threes.
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I kinda think that if Gallo was on any other team then the Knicks
he’d be getting credit for everything you just said Oz.
That he’s on the Knicks, he gets written off as a POS chucker who plays no defense. Shit…entirely too many “Knicks fans” say that too.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
naa
but sometimes gallo does get too comfortable around the arc…
but i always knew gallo is a multi-dimensional player…….
by hopelessknickfan on Nov 18, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you
This is so true, and so necessary to point out. I just wonder if that means that fans of other teams find him as incredibly, inexplicably annoying as I find Corey Maggette and Lou Williams?
Also, it’s been said before, but man. Dwight Howard. Learn to shoot a goddamn free throw! Or don’t, actually, that’s fine with me too.
we all know who'll be here in a second to show us we're idiots
for simply looking at facts…I’m afraid if I say his name I may summon him
What did the 5 fingers say to the face?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7CBwX1891A
HaHaHaHa!
by Lord Smackington on Nov 18, 2010 4:43 PM EST reply actions
Who Lord Smackington... WHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO?!
:-P
by ap3604 on Nov 18, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
did not finish this
“wasn’t expected to have a great jump shot, but he had the smarts and the floor vision as well as creativity around the basket to mold himself into a bona fide offensive weapon”
ALL HE HAD WAS A JUMP SHOT, but he is alot better now.
When he came out of Europe, he didn't have a jump shot.
Scouts said his biggest weakness was his 3pt shot. Oh how things have changed.
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on.
by King Henry the 2nd on Nov 18, 2010 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
but he wrote it in all caps
doesn’t that make it true?
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
maybe my memory is off, im pretty sure all he was at the time was a 3pt specialist, show me something saying otherwise(not saying there isnt anything out there, but id really like to see it)
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Danilo-Gallinari-535/
Look along the left at Strengths and Weaknesses.
Among the strengths, right at the top actually, you see – Ability to get to free throw line.
In the weaknesses, you see – 3 pt Shooting
Then again, I just saw that some of his other weaknesses are as follows
-Incredibly Quick
-Excellent Rebounder
So uh yea. Strengths include – Frail Frame, undersized.
haha
at least he does seem to be a decent rebounder when he wants to be
I blame the offensive system, Gallo’s normally heading out on the fastbreak and not crashing the boards by design.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Watching yesterdays game he played decent defense as always.
He tends suck in transition defense alot, taking wrong angles, ducking off instead committing a foul as he did yesterday, but I watched him blow up Sacramento’s picks yesterday when they tried to throw screens on him yesterday, even to the point of getting away with a rediculous bear hug (I think he threw it on Cousins) without a foul call. He draws charges and does have a crazy pentiant for drawing fouls on offense, maybe moreso because of his awkward style. Where the line gets blurred is in the late 3rd and fourth quarters where people say he disappears. I invite you to watch the tapes and see what is really going on paying attention to the PG play and where Gallo is on the floor.
Gallo usually lines up on the right arc with Fields sometimes joining him on that side. Felton and especially Douglas rarely ever pass to the right side. Even if they bring up to the top of the key, they almost exclusively look for their own shot, pass to the left or try to penetrate to the left. The player most adept at using the floor when the ball is in his hands is Turiaf, and then Fields. Even when Fields or Gallo cut from the right under the basket, they rarely receive the pass, with Amar’e shocking me yesterday with a great one to Fields. Even when Felton got locked up but not fouled with about a minute left, it was Gallo who rotated and was right in front of him and he still didn’t pass it, calling a timeout instead.
Mix being tired by the ends of games and not get any looks, it only makes sense that he disappears. But he’s put in 6 straight quarters of good work these past two games and it’s because he’s showing something he doesn’t get credit for, and some other fellas would do good to follow. He changed up his game and forced his way into being a presence on the offense even tho his shot isn’t falling. He’s not a wotld beater and may not be an all-star anytime soon, but he IS a valuable role player with a good IQ, a versatile skillset, and someone who obviously gives ashit on the court. Haters can hate, but Gallo can play.
I had no idea
very impressive, but can he bring it more consistently and against top competition? I hope so.
The Landryman can
Watching last night
It hit me that maybe a good comparison for Gallo is Paul Pierce. He has a very good shot. Is great at getting to the line. Plays a solid all around game. Is not the most graceful of people, but uses what he has to get to the line.
I am surprised to not see Pierce on the list. I was under the impression he was one of the best at doing what you are talking about.
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
Much of Pierce's reputation is built on
1) his unnecessary theatrics when he does try to get to the line
2) Breen sucking his dick constantly on Knicks and ESPN broadcasts alike
In short, if he wasn’t such an overt douchebag, he wouldn’t have the reputation that he has.
"I feel like this: You can't hate me." -Toney Douglas
He's getting that chucker reputation
because he’s hoisting 10+ shots a game at only a 36.8% clip this year— only Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups, and Ramon Sessions have lower shooting percentages (of those attempting at least 10.4 FG/game.
Yeah, I think that's right
He has such a high percentage of his points from the line because he’s missing so many of his shots from the field.
Dishin' and swishin' in transition
by Serious Garbage Time on Nov 18, 2010 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
I'm pulling for Gallo
But I think this is where the “percentage of points from FTs” argument falls apart quite easily. It would be one thing if this was the case for his career numbers, but if this is based on this small 2010-11 sample size, then it has more to do with him missing shots than it does with him being some sort of self-made foul magnet.
Hey Osborn
Great analysis, but I don’t see where it says what your sample size is. Is this for last season, or this season so far, or Gallo’s whole career?
If it’s for this season, it could be a bit miseading because he’s missed a lot of threes and there haven’t been many games.
In any case, his ability to get to the line is huge and he’s been featuring it the last couple of games.
do you need a sample size for this?
This is about a third year player’s mindset. He’s still chucking up those 3’s, but instead of continually doing so, he’s taking it to the rack.
Its early..yea, but its pretty obvious he’s changed his tune from even just last year.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
its more
that he shot so poor from 3 to start, that if he brings his shooting % back from the grave, it will mean less of his points come from the FT line.
his percentage is high because of how poor he had been shooting from the field.
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
That's a good point.
But the two most high-reward shots in the NBA are the free throw and the three pointer in that order.
Year after year, the guys who finish highest in “True shooting” and “Points per shot” are guys who are either great at getting to the line and hitting free throws, or guys who are prodigious three-point shooters.
A combination of the two is offensive TNT.
The fact that those are his two strengths is, in and of itself, impressive enough to make sample size matter, but not as much as it would for other “percentage” stats, like Lamar Odom’s 3pt percentage.
Why would you want Lopez
overrated as fuck, doesn’t fit our system (or that of any team that’s transitioned into the new millennium)… poor man’s Kaman at his best
"I feel like this: You can't hate me." -Toney Douglas
by The Rooster on Nov 19, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
Nice article which also goes to show that P&T isn't one dimensional
Not just about snacks & snurfing at funnily-named basketball players.
EST +5 hours is hard work sometimes...
Kukoc
he is going to be better than him but reminds me of Tony alot
Rooster was the right pick that night, now Jordan Hill was not
we should have Brandon Jennings right now
I love Eric Gordon but I love our Cock as well
by Archie Barberio on Nov 18, 2010 5:53 PM EST reply actions
"I love Eric Gordon but I love our Cock as well"
pause.
I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.
whats wrong with loving our Cock? lol
lol on here you can get away with being humerous man! come on son!
by Archie Barberio on Nov 18, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
Danilo Gallinaris are harder to find than Eric Gordons
and Brandon Jennings? well, OK, but it’s not like we missed out on a stud or anything. If we end up with CP3 it will be even more inconsequential.
"I feel like this: You can't hate me." -Toney Douglas
by The Rooster on Nov 18, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Gallo has been getting to the line like crazy the past couple of games. Like everyone says he just has to be aggressive. When he is he gets to the line at will. People (like every other time in his career when he was in a slump) jumped the gun with their concerns about Gallo. The guy is 22 and is a proven offensive weapon. His D has been decent, if he ever bulks up and learns to board he will be an extremely valuable player. Still think his best position would be the 4 if he fills out.
Nice bit of stat digging
Nice work O.
Agree with Screamedia, Gallo doesn’t get the looks he should given he is THE ONLY REAL SHOOTER on the team. Sorry, was holding that one in for awhile. Felton and TD have tunnel vision on STAT and don’t seem to understand they are clogging the lane for Amar’e… Gallo can do as much as anyone on the Knicks to break open this stagnant offense. Get Gallo the ball where he can set his feet and pass to him in the paint when he is open. It’s not that hard…
Side note: all this Brandon Jennings vs J.Hill regret…at the time I knew Walsh put himself in a bad position not because I had a clue about BJ (yeah, those are his initials) but there were too many point guards in that draft one of them was bound to be really good and Walsh had a high % chance of being second guessed. With the benefit of hindsight (which most folks have been using since the 55 point game) I would rather have Jrue Holliday. Stats are comparable but Jrue is a year younger, 3" taller and a lot stronger. He can already play solid D, which given Jennings frame I don’t think he will ever be able to do.
very true on the last part
If I really had to take back the Hill pick and nab a PG taken after him, Jrue would be my man as well.
Don’t like Jennings’ game quite as much.
GALLINARI
Bottom Line: Is this Kid Ever going to be an All Star in this League? No
At best he’s a 3rd wheel behind two Star players where he doesnt have to deal with the pressure of carrying a team. HE already knows this, as he has made clear in the past weeks. It about time everyone else gets it and lives with it. CONSISTENCY is the name of the game in the NBA, night in and night out, not a good game or two every two weeks. Take off the Blue and Orange Blinders and forget meaningless stats. WINNING is the key in this League, and this Kid doesnt come close to approaching a great player. The Lakers found this out with Lamar Odom and he’s become an excellent 3rd wheel. Thats who Odom is, thats who Gallinari is.
I dig the analysis but allow me to add something as well
This whole article is talking about how we have a very talented player in Gallo. It’s not naming him the lader of the Knicks. It’s simply pointing out how people have oversimplified his game. Yeah we defend Gallo a ton to other people, but I don’t see how we are unrealistic in doing that. I find very few people saying that Gallinari is going to be the prime guy on the Knicks. The majority of those defending Gallo from critics really just consider him a young, talented player who DOES have a traits of a solid all-around game. How is that such a stretch?
Onto Gallo though… seems the talent isn’t the question as much as the head may be. I’m inclined to believe the brains come with experience.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2010 10:48 AM EST reply actions
to bring the race card from the other thread
..if he was American, he may have a bit mor swagger..or at least knowledge of the US game if he was born here and stayed all his life.
Takes awhile to adjust.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Maybe especially given that he is playing in the largest NBA market and for a struggling team
NY is a hit-the-ground-running town, no?
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Consistency is all I want
Stats are for losers, I could give three craps what these stats says or PER’s and all that other garbage. When he plays like he did the last two games, for a whole season CONSISTENTLY giving that same effort nightly then we can say he is not one dimensional.
Gallo is a starter,................ but A.I. Can't get a Run? Donnie Walsh get on the job!!!!!!
well, you know.. he IS consistently inconsistent...
so, that sort of gives you what you want… right?
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
One Demensional Yes!
Everybody stop talking about the Rooster like he is something special.
Scoring, rebounding, passing the ball is all you talk about.
Most guys that play the three are usually solid scorers on the other team.
He cannot and I repeat this over and over again.
He does not hold down opponents to less then what he scores on a day in day out basis.
That is the problem and that is why he should not start.
My God how hard is this to understand.
He is not a starting three man in this league.
Gallo's the Bomb Dziedswiss
Deal with it. Why Dziedzswiss? Because your arguments are so full of holes.
But I invite you to put up some splits showing Gallinari vs his counterpart on the court. Or would that make you too Dizzy to use your noogin oh master of the cheese. Heck. You may even be right. Like Disney says, it could happen. But I think it’s probably more true you been smokin too much hashish in the Tiki Room on Magic Mountain. So take off like Dumbo The Flying Elephant, cuz It’s A Small World After All and I gotta take a Jungle Cruise over to Minnie’s Country House, and, you know, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, introduce her to Splash Mountain.
So when your thru toking on your Astro Orbiter, you can come down off Space Mountain and stop sharing your Swiss Family Treehouse stories here on P&T. Cuz, seriously, your posts are so Fantasyland, it’s just Goofy
I repeat this over and over again.
That is for damn sure!!!!!!!
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2010 3:22 PM EST reply actions
well that's why he believes that bullshit
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
I'm tellin' you guys
Dzeidzic IS Gallo…….. think about it…….. Even if it’s not true, it makes his posts a hell of a lot more entertaining.
well he doesn't post during the games I don't think....
so you might be onto something
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Dziedzic IS Dizzy
Dizzy enough to know that Gallinari is a fraud of a starter in the NBA.
Can you imagine trading Gallinari/Randolph to Memphis for O.J.Mayo?
Memphis cannot afford resigning M.Gasol and Z.Randolph so maybe it could be a great deal for the Knicks.
I know you are all thinking that O.J.Mayo is not going to be star and Gallinari is going to be.
Thats Dizzy for you always putting it out there for the Rooster.
so Mayo is the flavor of the month
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
but I'd trade Randolph for Mayo in a second
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Factoid
For a guy who complains about guys who don’t play defense, you just picked a guy who just got outplayed and outscored in three straight games by the guy he was guarding. Just saying. I like Mayo, but for the sake of your arguments and since you want to have your cake and eat it too, you might select a cake that validates your arguments.
Mayo's black
went to about 90 different high schools and went to USC..where he may or may not have been compensated for his services.
Therefore he is not a softy Euro who is a momma’s boy /Dizzied
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Mayo is hard I like Mayo and his game OJ Mayo just a cool name too
by Archie Barberio on Nov 19, 2010 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
lol
Von Wafer OJ Mayo Fab Melo Carmelo Anthony and coached by Kevin Bacon
by Archie Barberio on Nov 20, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
@ChiaCrack
Can you imagine O.J.Mayo in a Knicks uniform.
He drops fifty on a team and the papers read the next day. “O.J. Is Not In Jail”
As in O.J.Simpson.
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