Gallinari is a nice kid, no doubt about it. But the instant appearance of a Reebok "Rooster" sneaker gives every indication that the draft is as corrupt as the game. What the hell is that about? Reebok knows the pick before ESPN does?
True fans of sports teams are sick of the insider trading and incestuous dealing of former players scratching each other's gonads.
The selection of a Gallinari implies that the Knicks will continue to limp along for many years with no relief in sight and that is disconcerting to those of us who have lived through multiple iterations of this same "rebuilding" pattern.
It also means we're stuck with another prima donna who won't be traded until the next change of management (sad that the clock starts ticking already).
At #6 the Knicks needed a talent who could make a difference this year. The Knicks turned a blind eye to an awful lot of gifted players for the marketing rights to Gallinari. Isiah would have done better.
The problem starts when the ESPN salesdesk starts with "He's not really an athlete but..." Call me stupid but the one thing I expect a #6 pick to be is an athlete. Drafting a slow SF isn't precisely my idea of progress. And, quite frankly, I don't want my 6'10 guy putting the ball on the floor all that much.
Sorry if I sound grumpy but I have a very bad feeling about this pick - call it Freddie Weiss syndrome.
The Knicks are starting to freak me out with their ability to F"up with uncanny regularity with a total disregard for whoever calls the shots.
I look at the Nets who have crappy positional picks but getting wholesome players all the way through. Just maddening.
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
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2 comments:
While it may be easy to heap on this pick, must I remind you that with the 6th pick of the 1978 draft, the Boston Celtics took an unathletic 6'9 forward named Larry Bird.
Gallinari's got heart. Did you see the reverence with which he held the Knicks jersey after he was picked? Its about time that this team had a player who plays with passion and for pride and not just for dollars.
Hey, you're talking to someone who had high hopes for many picks who came before all of whom had great heart - John Wallace, and so on.
It didn't buy us a cup of coffee.
Larry Bird! Geezus, you are groping. But okay, I'll bite. Say in three years he turns into Larry Bird. What do we do in the meantime?
And as for heart, why is David Lee suddenly being treated like chopped liver?
We're hanging onto playground superstars like Curry and Crawford because... ????
C'mon. We got suckered badly. Fact of the matter is that this demonstrates clearly that the Knicks don't give a rat's behind about draft picks. Spinning a roulette wheel could have yielded the next Larry Bird as surely as this pick will.
I'm very bummed out about what's going on.
I have no problem gambling when you have chips to spare but to roll it all on a single choice who is little more than a family friend is just reckless.
Now, none of this is Gallinari's fault and I certainly hope he's a player but the draft reports are more likely to overestimate talent not underestimate talent.
The reports Vacarro read implied the kid needs a structured system (think SA, Utah, Charlotte). Putting a slow, laterally challenged youth into a run and gun show is hardly a recipe for success.
You'll have a hard time finding a more loyal Knick fan than myself and my stomach seriously churned when the pick was announced.
I would love to be wrong.
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