The praise continues about Danilo Gallinari. Best line of all was when Greg Brittenham called him "a strength and conditioning coach's dream." Jamal Crawford watched practice and was impressed with his skills. David Lee said he was most impressed with how well the kid shoots and added he's a workaholic (right up D-Lee's alley).
Fixers you'll get your first look at the kid tomorrow on MSG Network at 4 p.m. I get a sneak preview tonight when the summer league team scrimmages. I'll hit you back after it's over.
In the meantime, I know some of you are getting tired of the 2010 talk and argue that all of this preparation for that summer could be a waste if LeBron or the others don't sign. My argument is you have to at least be in the game for those big free agents. It is irresponsible, knowing what kind of class that year will have in free agents, if you continue to pile on contracts.
But there is another side, which Crawford brought up today. You can't completely strip the roster of talent because you have to make it viable and attractive enough for free agents like LBJ to want to come and play here.
“Everybody talks about 2010 for good reason, there will be some great players out there," Jamal said. "But they’re still going to need players around those great players."
Of course Crawford, with an opt-out awaiting next summer, is hoping he is one of those "players" the Knicks keep to have around the great players.
Most of the veterans all believe there will be major changes to the roster. It's inevitable.
Stay tuned . . .
Comments (24)
Thank you Jesus....
I am so glad that changes are coming...
If anybody knows my slogan for about a year now....it's been
Change in 08!!!!!
As I've said before, it's great Walsh didn't trade Zach for a second round pick. If it would've been a first round pick then maybe I would be disturbed but great move by Walsh.
Hey Alan..or anybody...does anyone know the status of Curry?
What is he up to?
Why isn't he at the camp?
I know he's been working out in Chicago with Q from previous reports but if Q made it to the camp...why not Curry?
It seems like Curry doesn't want to develop at all....so sad!!!!
Change in 08!!!!!!!
Crawford brings up a good point. Although putting the team in a position to make a stab at the players that will be available in 2010 is important, Walsh did also say during his initial press conference that making the Knicks competitive during the next 2 years is also a priority.
Also, there's this idea that Zack won't fit into the D'Antoni offense, but I disagree. This type of offense is perfect for anyone that can shoot, and that's a tool Zack has. Granted, I don't think he'll be able to keep up for more than 30 minutes a game, but I think he'll put up some good numbers during those 30 minutes.
@DOJ - I don't think we should make assumptions that Curry isn't trying to develop just because he isn't making his practice regimen open to the public.
Alan - I appreciate the updates.
Good to hear positive things about Gallinari so far. Looking good on pre-summer league practices doesn't really mean much, but it is a lot better then looking lost in them.
There was some traffic on the last thread about the wisdom of taking Gallinari with the 6 pick. Until we have a season or two to judge on, I don't see the point of making declaration what kind of player he's going to be. Calling him a stiff is as inane as calling him the next Nowizki at this point in his career. Personally, I hope he does have a bright future, because it means a valuable piece for the Knicks.
One important point - a major factor in the decision to take this guy is the fact he is still growing - team doctors estimate he'll eventually hit 6'11'. He wasn't picked as a 3, but as a face-up 4, but I wonder if he can rebound?
Yo, I appreciate all the positive words about Gallo. But what are we talking about? We talkin' about . . . practice. We ain't talkin about the game. We talkin about . . . practice.
We talkin' about practice, man.
Alan- Here's to the Knicks moving camp to Saratoga, which is a short ride up the Northway. I hope it happens; I traveled down to Purchase when the Knicks trained there(late 80's-90's), and they held an open practice( imagine that! ) for $5, with the proceeds going to a local charity.
Good BBQ close by; lunch is on me.
Alan
i have been saying the same thing crawford
said for weeks.
if you want to get lebron
we have got to have a competitive team on the court
by 2010
i am not saying we have to be title contenders
but we have to be up and coming(like a portland)
we can't strip the team
and have no talent left to attract free agents
Lebron wants to go to a winning team
he is not looking to start over
gillanari will win rookie of the year itz going to be tough
but he will win it...lmao...
anywayz we will see a little something tommorow
but gotta wait till the season to see whatz good an whatz bad...
stay tuned for more KnowLedge
Fixers,
This blog has been good of late and about the knicks.
That attack from LGM on the last thread was unwarrented. So I'll keep it hoop after I ask him one final question
LGM,Have you ever seen an azzhole wrapped in plastic? Take a look at your driver's license.
Peace Out. 4:00PM on MSG tomorrow
It's certainly chivalrous to think that free-agent athletes want to sign with a "winning team", but let's face it, all things being equal they will sign with whomever doles out the most cash. Period. Do you think Chris Duhon would have signed here if Donnie hadn't given him the full MLE? Using the logic of signing with a "winning team", he should have signed with Orlando. The same with Elton Brand and his signing with the Sixers; money talks. The list goes on and goes, in every sport. Rarely these days do you find an athlete that doesn't follow the money. And I can't say that I blame them; the average lifespan of an athlete is relatively short and they need to strike while the iron is hot to maximize their income during their most productive years. IMO, priority #1 should be to free up the cap space to even have a shot at making a run at any of the impending 2010 free agents. If they happen to be competitive during the next two years, that's gravy. Donnie's set expectations low with his "2010" mantra; I hope he is able to deliver on that promise in two years.
He didn't set his expectations low, he set them realistically. Four years of Isiah damage, more than a handful of bad players with bad contracts, you simply can't fix that overnight.
What was that you said peaceman? Take Isiah's nutsack out of your mouth before you try to talk.
Quit bringing this blog down with your presence.
Hey Alan, Great to hear that the "Gallo" is looking good. Really rooting for the kid to prove he belongs. Plus I just love players who want to play in New York.
As far as the 2010 LeBron sweepstakes, even though there is no player I would want more then King James it's still every doubtful he would leave the Cav's and jump to the Knicks. However his pending free agency is simply the best thing that could have happened to the Knicks, because it's gives them an excuse to finally get the organization healthy and under the cap, because let's face it the fans would never tolerate them not trying to fix everything "this summer" if it were not LeBron. With or without LeBron we will be in great shape to turn things around if we can get under the cap.
My biggest concern with this new offensive attack is turnovers. Even if we play hot potato & shoot with the basketball in 10 seconds or less and if we continue to lead the league in turnovers it will still bring us lop sided losses. Crawford is the poster child for our turn over team. We need to protect the ball and force turnovers. But lack of a defensive players has been our biggest obstacle. Fundamentals wins games.
i've come to peace in my heart that lebron aint comin' here...why would he sh*t on jay-z and sign w/ tha knicks?? i mean really!!. they been tight from tha jump & they tryna start an EMPIRE. he is le-gone in my opinion. we should really focus on the other cats. some of ya'll need to take ur heads out of tha sand...
@ LGM
When you looked up your family tree your family was still living in it.You could raise the IQ of two states if you ever move...Georgia by leaving and Alabama by moving there. The only time you have running water in your home is when someone pees.
Please Sit down and give your brain a rest.
Its called rebuilding folks. And its about time for this franchise. The team has not been a true playoff contender for a decade, and hasn't won a title in 35 years. All the short cut trades and moves that Layden and Thomas made caused the franchise to fall deeper into a hole.
So the point of building with young players -- Gallinari, Lee, maybe Chandler, next year's first round pick -- and getting under the cap by 2010 make all the sense in the world. Maybe Lebron will come. Maybe he won't. But with cap space, the team can make deals, maybe attract top talents like Bosh, but will definitely have flexibility.
There really is no alternative.
Heard Anthony Randolph had a sick debut: 30 points plus other stats.
Ray - that is the thing about 2010 that no one is mentioning - even if the Knicks don't pull in a top free agent, being in the financial position to do so is hugely preferable to the situation the last few years. Realistically, how much worse than 23 wins could a lower payroll result in? At least if the big free agent score bombs, there will be flexibility for a plan b.
AR - The turnovers remain a problem, especially at a fast pace. That's why Nash, with his ability to efficiently run the offense, was so key to the Phoenix attack. Look for the Knicks to try and acquire a legitimate orchestrator as part of the 2 year plan.
Willis - Randolph had a great game. Eric Gordon however is shooting the ball like Jamal Crawford.
Pete - Your right on target, can they get it done by 2010 ... maybe, maybe not. However I think they finally got the men in charge that get the idea.
Also dig deeper into that 2010 pool ... brother besides LeBron & Bosh the available names are wicked. Correct me if I'm wrong ... just to name a few ... Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Raja Bell.
I also think that the Duhon signing may be under rated and could turn out to be a turning point. Sometimes less is more.
D'Antoni was key I think, because players want to play for him. They just need to be patient and get under cap.
This season is going to be interesting ... we haven't had a team that passes the ball since the championship years! Is it possible that we may actually see this very soon?
duhon signed cuz of the money only the knicks are dumb enuff to give him that money other teams would sign him for 5-8 mill for 2 years..
thatz common sense why he signed here..
stay tuned for more KnowLedge
Actually, Duhon signed here so he can START. Marbury is good as gone, and he would've backed-up Nelson in Orlando.
Actually, Duhon signed here so he can START. Marbury is good as gone, and he would've backed-up Nelson in Orlando.
LGM looked up his family tree and found out he was the SAP!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey dude have you banned me from here????? If so email me and tell me so.