The scouting report
So we got to meet Danilo Gallinari this morning, and I suspect he’ll start to shave in two or three years.
Wow.
Somebody tell me I’m not that old. He seems like a nice kid, and came dressed for a job interview with some funky eyeglasses. Gallinari has better command of the language than some of the players in the league who grew up speaking English.
There was no hangover from the booing.
“Milan is so similar to New York,” said the 19-year-old who starred for Armani Jeans Milano for the last two seasons. “As soon as you do something like not good, they boo you, so there is a lot of pressure. Not like this, but it’s a tough, tough place.”
He is planning to stay on this side of the Atlantic for now, and will be living with some friends. He is going to wear No. 8, but it’s not a Latrell Sprewell tribute. Check out his driver’s license. Gallinari was born on 8/8/88. He wore the number in Milan, as well.
So did Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni.
“Coming in with that number, there was some pressure,” Gallinari said.
We actually got to speak with Knicks international scout Kevin Wilson today, and he’s been watching the kid develop over the last four years.
“The thing about Europeans is they should bring something unique to the table, otherwise they have a chance not to succeed,” Wilson said. “He’s a special player with no definable position. He’s not pigeon-holed right now, and I don’t think he ever will be in the same way most of the very succesful Europeans, you can’t pigeon-hole them. What is Pau Gasol? What is Nowitzki? What is Ginobili? A basketball player.”
I also spoke to Donnie McGrath, who starred locally in high school before heading to Providence College. He’s spent the last two seasons playing in the Italian league, and knows Gallinari fairly well.
“He’s really good,” McGrath said. “I saw the Knick fans react last night, and they probably just don’t know how good he is. He’s killed my teams most of the times we’ve played them. He’s really hard to guard. It’s crazy because he’s only 19 years old, and most of the people he’s going against are 25 and 30.”
We also picked up a few newsworthy tidbits from Walsh.
He was asked about the start of free agency next week, and indicated there’s no reason to assume the Knicks will not hit the open market looking for help. It seems the man in charge is amused by the way his game plan is being portrayed. He never intended to make it solely about LeBron James. There isn’t a lot of room to add salary, but there are ways to squeeze helpful pieces in.
And how exactly will that work?
“I’m not going to tell you,” Walsh said. “I’m going to be frugal.”
We also talked about not getting a point guard in the draft. He is not concerned, saying there are other avenues.
“I think we could use help,” Walsh said. “We could probably go in the way we are, but I think we’re going to look for help.”
You don’t even have to read between the lines there.
The organization is looking into holding training camp somewhere in New York State this fall.
It sounds like most of the Knicks will be in Las Vegas for summer league to meet up with D’Antoni. We don’t know exactly who’s going to play just yet. It sounds like Gallinari is suiting up. There is some contractual stuff to finish before there’s an official commitment.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Well, as I continue to pout that The Knicks passed on Bayless and Gordon, ESPN’s Chad Ford actually gave them a very good grade for this pick. As Chad also states we still need a point guard. So I have to ask Mike or anyone else what is next.
New York Knicks Grade: A-
Round 1: Danilo Gallinari (6)
Round 2: None
Analysis: With the Knicks’ three favorite backcourt players gone—Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo and Russell Westbrook—new Knicks president Donnie Walsh did the right thing.
Gallinari is a talent and one of the few guys in the draft who could really be special someday. Those who are bashing the pick because Gallinari is a project should do their homework. Gallinari was the team leader on an Italian Euroleague team—and the Euroleague is much more competitive than the NCAA. Euroleague teams scrimmage NBA teams in the preseason and beat them from time to time. The fact that Gallinari has starred there at such a young age suggests that he’s more ready than most of the freshmen rushing into the league. And with Mike D’Antoni coaching him, you can bet the Knicks will play to his strengths.
Gallinari has weaknesses—he has so-so lateral quickness and lacks muscle. I’m not sure he’ll ever turn into Dirk Nowitzki, to whom he’s been compared. And the Knicks still have a long way to go in the rebuilding process.
But this was a good start for the Knicks. If they can use David Lee to get a legit young point guard, they’ll keep moving in the right direction.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I didn’t get to finish my comment. I know free agency starts Tuesday at noon, but I don’t think we have the money to spend. Therefore, we need to find a trade partner. Are there any good PG’s available or do we have to wait until next year’s draft. What other positions are we trying to improve?
June 27th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
If I were Donnie I would try to get a shot blocking center on the cheap. As far as point guards go I would roll the dice with Nate, Steph and Mardy. Unless there is a trade in the works for a big upgrade in point there is no need to add another guard to our already full back court.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Great post Mike, really fantastic. The times had nothing even close to that.
I had the same impression of how young he looked, but, I do not doubt that Milan is tough, and while other guys were playing against 19 year olds this guy was killing guys ten years older. There have been a lot of great players from there, so, maybe…
He does look like he needs to get a little bit stronger.
So who’s job is he taking? Quentin’s?
July 1st, 2008 at 10:19 am
I really hope the Knicks have a plan other than “Reduce Payroll, Sign Lebron”. If he were to sign with New Jersey, the Knicks will be left with nothing.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:28 am
If LeBron were to sign with Jersey/Brooklyn. That still leaves D-Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010, not to mention might be available in 2011.
This approach the knicks are now taking is long over due and hasn’t been tried in decades. the knicks have always gone for the big name under isiah, and prior to that they would do whatever it took just to make the playoffs for that year, not looking at the bigger picture down the road.
as of right now, i have faith in donnie walsh and mike d’antoni. i just wish dolan would outright fire isiah because he shouldn’t be around when the knicks eventually turn it around. his tenure with the knicks should go down in the history books as pure and undeniable failure.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:14 am
Sign and trade for Baron Davis.
Any chance Golden State would go for Randolph/Curry/Crawford/Lee/whoever…?