Hahn: "Gallo did his homework".

by Seth on Mar 12, 2010 12:57 PM EST in News

Fuhry jumped on this in the Fanposts, but I just had to bring it up myself. If you're a Newday subscriber, you might want to read this latest Alan Hahn blog post on Danilo Gallinari in private. Here's a clipping. Basketboners abound:

"That's what I really want; every game to play defense against the best," he said. "That's what I asked Mike and that's what I'm trying to do."

Gallo has recently matched up against LeBron James, Joe Johnson and, on Wednesday, Manu Ginobili. And while he had a strong fourth quarter scoring wise -- eight of his 14 points, including a wild back-to-the-basket, over-his-head flip -- Gallinari was grumbling about Ginobili's 28 points. I told him those minutes in crunch time against a team like the Spurs mean a lot for his development. He didn't want to hear it.

"It means a lot, especially means a lot when Ginobili is kicking my ---," he grumbled.

We talked about what he tried to do against Ginobili and one thing was clear, Gallo did his homework. He laid out all of Ginobili's tendencies and the best way to play him. He talked about what he tried to do throughout the game and the amazing ability that Manu has to counter attack.

Gallo's shot has been off for much of the last month or two, but the caveat has always been "but he's really playing like he gives a shit on defense, eh?" We've mentioned his help defense a few times, but his willingness to match up with quicker players is equally impressive. It's this kind of stuff that suggests he might one day be a star, and not a one-dimensional gunner like the critics say. He's got a tremendous competitive drive, a do-everything mentality, and as we've said before, giant, jangling rooster balls. Hahn's not given to hyperbole, but he gets to outright gushing by the end of that blog post.

Gallinari mentions that he expects to be assigned to OJ Mayo or Rudy Gay tonight. Keep an eye on him out there.

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great article

i did really like his defense against the Hawks on Monday – he’s really improving quickly.

also worth noting, on the D’Antoni show Mike said that they’re developing Gallo’s post game (more so the face-up portion right now) and his dribble-drive off the shot fake. so between this and the D, I expect Gallo to be really good next year.

by latrell chokewell on Mar 12, 2010 6:43 PM EST reply actions

i think upset wit yall

I’ve been sayin it constantly for the last two months that his defense is improving and is almost the best on the team, and a case can be made that he is because he leads the team in blocks

In Donnie We Trust!

by IB on Mar 12, 2010 8:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Half-Average

Are you guys watching the same Knicks I am? I know it’s still early in his career, but Gallo looks like he will be a half average player in the NBA. He IS very one dimensional. He has a nice 3, yea sure, if he’s wide open. He looks very uncomfortable driving to the basket and when he has a smaller player on him, which has been pretty much every game lately, he cant take advantage. Teams know this, that’s why they put a smaller player on him to begin with. Defense?? are you kidding me? Everytime I see Gallo on defense some player is driving him to the hole or putting a shot up in his face. Evertime I see him, he’s swatting at air. No one is coming to the Knicks this post season, maybe Chris Paul next year,outside shot at Johnson this year. Donnie doing a great job at clearing space, but his drafts have SUCKED. Gallo over Lopez?? are you kidding me? and he def should have drafted Jennings or Lawson this year. Bottom line, this article is horse s*&*….Gallo will never be anything but half average…

by JasonBee on Mar 13, 2010 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Wow

Thanks for stopping by.

by gbnypat on Mar 13, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

you probably could’ve stopped at “early in his career”.

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 13, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Right about Gallo over Lopez being a mistake by Walsh...

but your basketball opinion seems to be a little angry. What are you, a Red Sox fan?!

by gaga71 on Mar 14, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Cmon

I shouldnt even dignify that with an answer. Yankees and Giants till the day I die!!!!!

by JasonBee on Mar 14, 2010 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

See

Nice game by Gallo last night against the Mavs!!!. Got in foul trouble becuase of his lazy D. Best move of the night was smacking Dirk in his nose!!! Some people said my post was a little angry, well ok….I’m used to seeing winning teams being a Yankees and Giants fan…and I cant belive that Donnie blew his draft choices by listening to DanPhony!!! I’m not saying Donnie is the greatest evaluator of talent, but I’m sure Gallo was not his pick. Isiah def sucked as a coach and made some bad trades…but he was a GREAT evaluator of talent and drafted great. We def have been hurt by him not drafting these last few years. Imagine Lopez Or Gordon with Jennings, Lee and Chandler. Now thats a nice core, then a J Johnson would be a perfect fit instead of the pipe dreams for LeBron, Wade and Bosh….Ok I’m done for now!!

by JasonBee on Mar 14, 2010 9:16 PM EDT reply actions