Danilo Gallinari

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Hello Ghost of Gallo, Meet Dead Coach Walking

By Livesinnewjersey on | From Knicksfanaticsblog.com

On January 17th, 2012, Danilo Gallinari had 14 points on 5-12 shooting

In his highest scoring game this season, Gallo drained 31 points and 5 rebonds and two assists in a loss. He demonstrated that he is different, in a good way, from the three point specialist Coach D'Antoni tried to mold him into.

When the final syllable in Danilo Gallinari's name is stretched out for seconds as he is announced as part of Denver's starting line-up in the Garden tonight, one should expect a rousing ovation, both in appreciation and remembrance of the 6'10 forward as a Knick and as a statement from fans concerning their displeasure with the Knick organization and the effort of the current Knicks team. Although, the cheers may evoke fantasized memories of Danilo Gallinari's time with the Knicks, they will actually hide the truth that will ultimately lead to the demise of his "play uncle" Mike D'Antoni as an inner-New York City coach.. The truth? The Danilo Gallinari playing for the Denver Nuggets, and currently their second leading scorer, is a much better player than he would ever have been with the Knicks because D'Antoni ignored his diverse skills and tried to pigeon-hole him as a great three point shooter instead of the versatile baller who could direct the show.

Danilo Gallinari is exhibit 1A, solid proof of the difficulty Mike D'Antoni has in recognizing and properly utilizing the skill of his players if they do not fit in his preferred playing style and system. Currently, Gallo is only one example of players, who were stranded in D'Antoni's system and mindset, that are playing better in other places: think Darko Milicic (starting Center for TWolves), Anthony Randolph (reserve with Twolves averaging 12.6 mpg) , Nate Robinson (key reserve for GSW), Jordan Hill (occasional starter for Rockets), Timofey Mozgov (starting center for Nuggets), Al Harrington (second leading scorer for Nuggets).

Some Knicks fans will chose to fantasize Gallinari's time with the Knicks, but the reality was that he was never a really good and consistent three-point shooter even when D'Antoni said he was the best shooter he had ever seen, When he was drafted, Gallo had been a young play-maker for his Italian team He was the man with the ball in his hands to initiate action and to create last second winning shots. He was not an arc straddler. The Gallo who seemed to hold a subway strap at the three point line while waiting for the ball to find him was a forced D'Antoni creation. Eventually and inconsistently, Gallo would drive the ball more as we learned that his length made him very difficult to guard without fouling him and allowing him to flail his arms to make it clear his was being fouled.

Under George Karl's management, Gallo is now beginning to show his full repetoire as a player as he ditches his label as a three point specialist. In fact, with a dismal 31% shooting average, the three point shot is not the most important or impressive part of his game at all. Karl said, "I think the biggest surprise is that Gallo is a better passer than I thought he was . . . . We got a little lucky, too; we thought Gallo could be more of a playmaker this year, but he’s moved very quickly into becoming a very good decision-maker.”