KNICKS FANATICS

My favorite post from the Fix's live blog .....
[Comment From Pat]
this is my favorite quote on gallinari from garden grasp.com..... It's clear even Donnie Walsh has no clue of what he is doing. Danillo Gallinari couldn't look more like a loser if he had it written on his forehead in red lipstick. Very disappointing evening for Knicks fans

We have Gallanari! Hear that Boston? Formidable...do you
know what that means Boston? Better look it up!
Gallanari and Formidable...... Boston!
....................Clyde the Knick Fan.

I've been scoping YouTube and draft express to see what we have. For a skinny Euro he appears to have a little attitude to him and decent, not great, just decent 3 pt shot. But most of what I saw was a big guy with a little handle willing to take it to the hole...a lot. He wasn't the best available at his draft position but he's ours now. Give that guy some pasta, a protein shake and some dumbbells stat! We're going to have to do a musclectomy on this guy.

Good to have you back in the house DaVonn.

NEW YORK -- Confusion, anger, resentment and utter sadness.




This was the emotional roller-coaster many Knicks fans went on Thursday night at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Sqare Garden during the 2008 NBA draft.




When NBA commissioner David Stern came to the microphone to announce the No. 6 pick, the theatre became silent as he began to utter those magic words that would ring throughout the night in the ears of Knicks fans: "With the sixth pick in the NBA draft the New York Knicks select Danilo Gallinari."




As quickly as last season ended for the Knicks, the theatre became a mob of fans ready to direct their built-up frustration at the 6-foot-9 Italian.




Hats were ripped off and shot to the ground, replica jerseys were tugged and twisted and echoes of "this can't be happening" filled the theatre.




But even with the barrage of boos being sent his way, the Italian remained unfazed. Gallinari walked right up to Stern, shook his hand, posed for a picture and continued on, impervious to the boos that shook the walls of the theatre.




"It's a dream for me and I really don't know what to say," Gallinari said. "I'm so excited and happy to be here."




He doesn't blame the Knicks fans for booing him, saying "It's a part of the game, all of the players have got to hear this. Not every time you can hear good things. So it's normal here."




After the draft Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said he believed Gallinari was the best player available.




Unlike many of the Knicks fans, D'Antoni knows the name Gallinari very well because he played with his father Vittorio in Italy. But for the Knicks fans that have no idea who he is, Gallinari has been compared to a Dirk Nowitzki- or Toni Kukoc-type that has a good basketball IQ.




"I will try to bring my European game, also here, and Mike D'Antoni played many, many years in Europe," said Gallinari, believing he will be a good fit with the new Knicks coach.




And this past season he played for Armani Jeans, Milano in the Italian League, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 31 minutes in Euroleague play. He also averaged 17.5 ppg and 4.8 rpg in the Italian league.




It's a part of the game, all of the players have got to hear this. Not every time you can hear good things. So it's normal here.
--Danilo Gallinari, on his first booing by Knicks fans


These numbers are all good on paper, but Knicks fans want to know if Gallinari can succeed at this level, and if he doesn't start out strong and the boos continue: Can he handle it?




But even if draft day unhappiness seems old hat to Knicks fans -- 2007 was a different story.




When the draft-day trade of Zach Randolph from Portland was announced last year the theatre became electric. Things seemed to be getting better in New York. But again the regular season was filled with one bad day after another.




And yet again, the Knicks dangled hope in front of their fans in 2007-08: Their cries of "Fire Isiah" were heard as Donnie Walsh was hired as team president. He brought in D'Antoni from the Phoenix Suns. Then the draft lottery brought the Knicks their highest lottery pick since Kenny "Sky" Walker was selected fifth overall in 1986.



It all seemed to be getting better for the Knicks and their fans, including those waiting here Thursday, anticipatiing the pick.



Entering the WaMu Theatre, New York fans showed their excitement. Their heads were filled with dreams of the Knicks making up for the past four miserable years of basketball by making moves to turn it around -- like the champion Boston Celtics did this past season.



Fans couldn't help but salivate at the possibility of a colossal trade. Maybe they could move up to one of the coveted top spots and get one of the guards they so desired. Or at worst pick up a player to build around?



But as the draft went on, things weren't going at all like many Knicks fans were hoping: No big trade, the top guards were taken and then Gallinari was chosen.



Many New York fans wanted a superstar the team could build around for the future. The boos made it clear they don't believe Gallinari is that man.



When Stern was getting ready to announce the pick, some in the crowd shouted "Eric Gordon and Jerryd Bayless." Some went as far as saying they would stop being Knicks fans if "the Italian was chosen."



This night started out with dreams filling the theatre.



Gallinari had been dreaming about this night since he picked up a basketball. But for many Knicks fans, they were dreaming too, dreaming that draft nights filled with disappointment were in the past.



Only one fulfilled their dream this draft night.


Patrick Parker can be reached at patrick.parker@espn3.com.

Jay Bee

I heard on an ESPN post draft interview that Walsh sees him more as a scoring 4.

He is supposedly a legit 6′9 w/o shoes on. He might be about 6′10 1/2 with some kicks.

That’s good size for someone who can play from the wing, post, or as a Point Forward.

I’m with you I’m giving the kid the benefit of the doubt.

Someone oughta do a Youtube of his first year with that Alice and Chains song “The Rooster”

Very Proper I say!

Select posts from other Knick Blogs:

Please. I dont care what people say, dont tell me Gallinari has more upside than Bayless or Gordon. This pick stinks no matter what. If Isiah wouldve made this pick, everyone wouldve killed Isiah. While I obviously have 500 times more faith in Donnie and D'Antoni in what they are doing, I am not just going to be happy and say it was a good pick because Walsh knows what he is doing.


Everyone knows about Dirk Nowitski, but aside from him, no young Euro player drafted in the lottery has turned into a decent player let alone a superstar. Kukoc, Ginobili, Calderon, Noscioni, Scola were all older when they played in the NBA, and Parker was drafted to the Spurs at the end of the 1st round, not exactly a bad team to go to. Look at all the young European players drafted in the lottery and see how bad they have been.


Bayless and Gordon were players who averaged 20 a game as freshman in the Big 10 and Pac 10 and both are amazing shooters who are athletic and quick as hell. Sugarcoat it if you want, but with the 6th pick in the draft im sorry you dont draft a 19 yo Euro project

2. This was a horrible pick. What can he actually do this year? He is too frail and will pay dearly in the paint. So much for brilliant basketball minds taking over the Knicks. Eric Gordon is a stud and we left him on the board. I will no longer root for the Knicks. I cannot take another year of losing.

3. feel the same way that I did when the Knicks picked Frederick Weis over Ron Artest. This is the Maecj Lampe Kid all over again

4.As someone said on a competing blog....stop defending dumb picks. I'm not going to say he's not good, but with our 4 small forwards including our top pick last year, this was unnecessary. The Nets killed us in this draft.

5.WOW, this is a terrible pick. This does not help the team, a weak European punk that can't play defense. Anyone who supports this pick for the knicks needs to realize that we passed up numerous point guards that have greater potential and fill a greater need. This makes me wonder if D'antoni was the right choice for the Knicks being he picked a former teamate's son over obviously more talented players. With this pick we are in for another decade of being the joke of the league. The Knicks should just join the D-League now if they are going to continue drafting this terribly.

6.This is what they fired isaiah to do? This is more of the same knicks crappola

7.lets be realistic.
GALLINARI is a useless pick and a harbinger of what's in store for the future. The new regime simply crapped the bed in the Knicks time honored tradition.
I am tired of showing my allegiance for 35 years and having nothing but incompetance and rising ticket prices in return. This was simply the last straw.
As far as the thug comments: GET A CLUE FOLKS! WHO THE HELL CARES!?! JUST WIN BASKETBALL GAMES.

8.Can anybody say Austin Croshere.....terrible pick. A slow soft European who can shoot. Oh my bad..can anybody say Vladimir Radmonovic....Bring back Isiah.

9.Winners: The Timberwolves, Portland, Chicago
Losers: The Knicks
What do you come to expect from this circus franchise. They'd mess up a wet dream. Remember they traded Weis in front of Artest. Now they snub Alexander. Do they not watch the Big East tournament? Alexander is definitely better and ready. Taking Brook Lopez then trading Curry back to Chicago for Gordon would have given them two players and dumping a dud. You need a veteran guard in New York. Gordon and Crawford as two combo guards for the future, a shot blocking Lopez working with Zach and David Lee maybe. The Knicks got ten players that need to go. They can never win with this ownership.

10.I hear the Italian stiff we just drafted might saty overseas for another year, if not 2 before he joins the NBA/Knicks.

Unbelivable. The first player the new reigme drafted he won't even be in a Knick uniform until 2010 at the earliest. Hey, Walsh, we need help right now!!!

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I kinda want Isiah back.

Draft Night 2010,

Donnie Walsh--
" I wanted to draft Lopez, Alexander, Gordon, or Bayless, but
D'Antoni convinced me to draft Danillo. Remember I drafted
Regge Miller and Chuck Person twenty years ago".

Look at the Pacers' draft and tell me this guy is an expert. Walsh will
blame Bird, but what about the period when Donnie made the call. Vontegoo Cummings, etc

Trades: He gave away Artest, Steph Jackson & Harrington. Walsh will say that he had to make that trade. Teflon Don strikes again

What has Walsh done in the last 5-years that make you believe that he is great at the draft or trades. Trading for Felton instead of Tinsley would be a mistake. Felton is home-grown, but they want him out. He is not good at running a team.

DaVonn Clinton Jefferson---Did you check out of the asylum. Certainly Kobe's performance against the Celts forced you to seek help. Kobe is no Jordan.

Peace & Blessings

Fanatics,
I'm not happy with the pick either,but someone has to take the "high road".It is possible that this kid can put up good numbers.One of things we were lacking last year(besides defense) was consistance outside shooting to free up the paint area.Maybe.....and just maybe, this guy can hit that shot enough to keep a defense honest.Maybe he can create his own shot off the dribble and attack the basket.Maybe his height will cause match-up problems for the other teams.......and Maybe......just Maybe.....we can have hope.

.............Or where else can we true fans go with this???????

It does seem now the Lee will be the trade bait for our new PG

Good to be back Jay Bee....Looks like it's right in the Knick of time.
Now I can start talking about the one team I truly do love.

Good to see your ok Statesman2....if you would've called me anything
else other than "Clinton Jefferson", I would think something is wrong.

OK....all people here talking about we had a horrible pick....please tell me who
you would've drafted and why?

Gordon is one dimensional. The guy has no court vision and he averaged 20
a game in college because he took like 20 shots a game. He played with a sprained or fractured wrist for the second half of the season so I can't deny his toughness. Point is, you can't be mad at us taking a kid with a better handle than Gordon, has better size than Gordon, is able to post players up (Gordon can't do that), has a higher basketball IQ than Gordon, man the list goes on and on............

Bayless is also one dimensional....there's a reason why he dropped all the way down to 11th or 12th whatever it was. Do you think the 10 teams that picked before he was selected were wrong also? (with the exception of Chi and Mia of course). Come on guys, get real here.

We are not running Isiah's lame ass offense that doesn't utilize players to their max potential. This is a real run and gun system. Remember when Isiah said he was going to turn into the "East Coast Phoenix Suns"? Whose team
do you think he was talking about?

This kid can run, shoot, dribble, pass and most important to me...GET TO THE FREE THROW LINE!!! If you don't think that's important, please watch this years Finals again and then I'll ask you the same thing.

Excellent pick by Walsh. Why do we have to make trades on draft night? That's what's fucked us up over the past 5-7 years. Let's just make our pick and then try to make some deals over the summer. Walsh is acting like he's not hungry to make a deal and that's the way he's supposed to be. If other teams know your thirsty to make a deal...your going to get ass raped with no vaseline.

Next year you'll be cheering for him when he's lighting it up. Be prepared for more international players to make their way to NY this summer.....Nachbar, Klieza and don't be suprised if we get Udrich to be the point. I see what Dantoni is doing and I like it.