Gallinari: The Isolated Isolationist

ronoranina

Fundamentally Sound
AUTHOR: anthonymarino


Yesterday morning, after Tokyo drifting to work with a cold cup of some of New York?s most undrinkable coffee in hand, I stumbled across an interesting piece by Michael Salfino on WSJ.com. Salfino noticed that Danilo Gallinari has the second highest rate of free throws per possession (.36) in the entire NBA, despite the fact that he is known primarily as a jump shooter. That Gallinari is a superlative free throw shooter means the paisan?s forays to the rim are all the more worthwhile. Gallo scored only three two-point field goals in Sunday?s win against Detroit and yet shot (and made) 11 free throws, en route to 29 points and a resounding Knicks win and only seven two-pointers to go with 27 points in the Knicks resounding loss to Dallas last night. These strange statistics beg two short questions, which I will do my best to answer without tearfully begging NBA big men to stop assaulting our precious Italian.


Why the hell is this happening??


Gallinari takes long strides to the hoop, has very long arms and is clever [deviously European] enough to sell and exploit contact. These elements allow Gallo to get to the rim, and therefore the charity stripe, but one other virtue is perhaps even more vital toward this end?Danilo Gallinari runs like a circus clown with two high ankle sprains. Our blind love for the young Rooster cannot preclude us from making this obvious observation, and it should certainly not stop us from understanding its effectiveness. Opponents are consistently shocked by the fact that this limping beanpole is: A. not settling for a jump shot, and B. capable of driving past them without the assistance of a hard screen or tazer. The wonderment on Tayshaun Prince?s face (you know, if Prince hypothetically had the emotional capacity for a second facial expression) during Gallinari?s drives was especially telling last Sunday and was reminiscent of LeBron James? frustrations by Gallinari?s staunch defense last Thursday. In short, Gallo is plainly capable of getting into the paint and scoring; it just doesn?t seem like most defenders have much luck comprehending this fact or stopping its execution.


How can the Knicks maximize these wonderful occurrences??


As Salfino mentions, Gallinari is 4th on the Knicks roster in usage rate. Plainly, unselfish jump shooters are prone to fade in and out of games, and for the most part that is what Gallinari has been for the Knicks. During crunch time, however, the Knicks have shown that they lack a premier perimeter penetrator to isolate and attack the rim, a linchpin for almost all title contenders. Amare Stoudemire has been a revelation in many ways, but scoring off the dribble certainly hasn?t one of them, as has been painfully apparent in these situations. With Gallinari?s superior passing ability and penchant for getting to the stripe, one could argue that running pick and rolls and clear outs with Gallo as the primary ball handler could be an effective means to break down staunch fourth quarter defenses. Certainly anything is better than watching the courageous, but misguided, Stoudemire play hot potato with three defenders draped across his back.

The outlook for increased Gallinari usage seems quite good. With Raymond Felton struggling mightily with a bad wheel and Amare Stoudemire battling through some nicks and bruises the Knicks will need Gallo to take the wheel as a ball handler and catalyst in the half court. The statistics say that he is capable, but is he willing?




Gallo has been owning lately. In the last seven games he's had 23, 17, 20, 12, 29, 27 and 18 points respectively. In the last heartbreaking game, a loss to Philly, he had a surprising 13 rebounds to go along w those 18 points. Gallo is clearly getting better and starting to emerge.

The thing about him that I've noticed he's had on display more, is his ability to handle the ball. This guy is an amazing dribbler. I've been saying this since I started to post on the forum. Now Gallo is really starting to show it more in NBA games. In the last game against Philly, he got the ball on the wing, crossed over from behind his back to his right then drove toward the baseline. He was met by another defender whom he crossed left on, continued to the hoop and finished to cap off this fantastic display.. The guy is 6'10''. He should not be that skilled, mobile and fluid and yet this is what he's showing more and more.

The part above where the writer suggests Gallo should run the pick and roll as the ball-handler is something I suggested when I first got to the forum. I would like to see this happen aswell, but not just in the fourth quarter. :gony:
 
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p0nder

Starter
Gallo has gotten strangely consistent. It's not just pure talent either. he's been working on his game and playing smarter then ever before. If we had more knock down shooters like gallo, he could be effective in that pick n roll.

A 2nd legit scoring option would make gallo an een more effective player. right now he's being asked to be a #2 guy when he should be the 3rd option.
 

tiger0330

Legend
I was just thinking in the Philly game that his game was more complete than just being a 3 pt specialist, definitely more aggressive than the beginning of the season when he was settling for 3s. Not sure what the members think of his D but to me he is an above average defender also. Next to Stat he may be the 2nd best player on the team. That play in Philly where he rebounded the ball on the defensive end and dribbled the ball end to end for the deuce was special for someone 6'10".
 
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Gallo has gotten strangely consistent. It's not just pure talent either. he's been working on his game and playing smarter then ever before. If we had more knock down shooters like gallo, he could be effective in that pick n roll.

A 2nd legit scoring option would make gallo an een more effective player. right now he's being asked to be a #2 guy when he should be the 3rd option.
Gallo on pick and roll? Not happening this year. His dribbling skills are not there yet contrary to what you believe. In theory it's a good idea but not realistic. He still is very slow and you need quickness to run pick and roll. He is definitely playing more aggressively and taking it to the hole. However, at least 3x a game he throws it up while out of control.
More info:
http://tinyurl.com/4was3n4
 

ronoranina

Fundamentally Sound
Gallo on pick and roll? Not happening this year. His dribbling skills are not there yet contrary to what you believe. In theory it's a good idea but not realistic. He still is very slow and you need quickness to run pick and roll. He is definitely playing more aggressively and taking it to the hole. However, at least 3x a game he throws it up while out of control.
More info:
http://tinyurl.com/4was3n4

Yea I hear you, but your kinda comin w that old line of thinking on Gallo..

If you've been watching the games his dribble is there when he wants to get to the hoop and he's gotten more creative w it.. Its one of the reasons, along w his footwork, that he can get in the paint at will although he's slow footed as you say.

There is however a distinction that should be made w regards to speed V quickness. Your right, Gallo isn't the fastest player, but he is quick. His first step is pretty good and it has been helping him get to the spot he wants on the court.

If you combined Gallo's threat of getting in the paint and wreaking havoc w his nice passing ability, one can see him being effective in the p & r. He'd just have to make the proper read off of it. I'm confident Gallo has the aptitude do this consistently.

Lastly, I think those instances where Gallo gets caught w nowhere to go, leaving him w no other option but to throw the ball up, are opportunities for him to read that defender coming over, stop short, pick up his dribble and pull up for a short J, or take a runner. That's the next augmentation he needs to make to his game.

The same response for three different posters?? If you gonna spam you should atleast take a little more care..
 
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knickzrulezH20

Sexy Stud
Great article. However I think Gallo does need to improve his dribbling and his overall intensity levels. At times it seems Gallo is disinterested in being in a play and just camps. However when he is aggresive, he has been awfully impressive. He gets to the line a lot, hits jump shots and has been attacking the basket and getting some easy deuces. I only wish he worked on his post game last summer, but I guess that can wait.
 

RunningJumper

Super Moderator
Great article. However I think Gallo does need to improve his dribbling and his overall intensity levels. At times it seems Gallo is disinterested in being in a play and just camps. However when he is aggresive, he has been awfully impressive. He gets to the line a lot, hits jump shots and has been attacking the basket and getting some easy deuces. I only wish he worked on his post game last summer, but I guess that can wait.
Sometimes lately he hasn't been getting the ball when he should have.

He amazed me against the Sixers. He seems to be finally understand that he must do what he's doing. The talent is there. Forget the long ball. He could average more per game by driving.
 

The Dragon

Benchwarmer
:agreed: Nice post....

I always feel that Gallo can give more, much more, but for some reason he do not get the ball much, and being unselfish is good for the team, but it hurts his growth....
I guess if Gallo reached his potintial, he will be better than Dirk and more interesting to watch.....
 

metrocard

Legend
This is a great article. Hopefully we see a transformation within Gallo soon and consistently. He's our 2nd best player IMO, (not by performance in the 2011 season, but by his skill set). He needs to be more involved.
 

DaTPRiNCE

The Knicks are Back
Gallo's taken a huge step in imporving his game recently; mainly by ATTACKING the basket first and foremost. when he picks up 8-10 point from the charity strip then he hits a few 3's and jumpshots he's giving us an easy 20 points a game and thats why he's really grown on my recently cause he's attacking.
 
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