The LeBron Thread

[KnicksScholar24]

Bosh and LeBron are 80% of the way to a title. You'd only need Gallinari to stay on course and develop at a decent clip, and fill in the roster with B+ type guys. That's a top contender.

Knicks fans need to stop putting so much hope in Gallinari. Nothing he's done would suggest that if he develops "at a decent clip" then he would 15-20% of the way to a title. Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench. Frye shoots more efficiently (just being older doesn't mean ANYTHING), he has shown that he can rebound on the defensive glass, he has shown that he can defend the PF/C position against players like Gasol and Duncan. He can't dribble penetrate like Gallinari, and he doesn't overreact when he his a big shot like Danilo "Nate Robinson 2.0" Gallinari, but he is the better player out of the two. Both Gallinari and Chandler will have to have a spike in their potential to be all-star level players. I believe Chandler is on his way to being a Granger type player, if he take working on his game seriously. If he doesn't he wouldn't be anything more than a borderline starter for the rest of his career. If NY does happen to sign two MAX players, neither Gallinari or Chandler will get enough shot attempts to put up big #s, and the same is true for Douglas.

[knicks33and49]

Bosh and LeBron are 80% of the way to a title. You'd only need Gallinari to stay on course and develop at a decent clip, and fill in the roster with B+ type guys. That's a top contender.

Knicks fans need to stop putting so much hope in Gallinari. Nothing he's done would suggest that if he develops "at a decent clip" then he would 15-20% of the way to a title. Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench. Frye shoots more efficiently (just being older doesn't mean ANYTHING), he has shown that he can rebound on the defensive glass, he has shown that he can defend the PF/C position against players like Gasol and Duncan. He can't dribble penetrate like Gallinari, and he doesn't overreact when he his a big shot like Danilo "Nate Robinson 2.0" Gallinari, but he is the better player out of the two. Both Gallinari and Chandler will have to have a spike in their potential to be all-star level players. I believe Chandler is on his way to being a Granger type player, if he take working on his game seriously. If he doesn't he wouldn't be anything more than a borderline starter for the rest of his career. If NY does happen to sign two MAX players, neither Gallinari or Chandler will get enough shot attempts to put up big #s, and the same is true for Douglas.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

[GnarlesOakley]

Bosh and LeBron are 80% of the way to a title. You'd only need Gallinari to stay on course and develop at a decent clip, and fill in the roster with B+ type guys. That's a top contender.

Knicks fans need to stop putting so much hope in Gallinari. Nothing he's done would suggest that if he develops "at a decent clip" then he would 15-20% of the way to a title. Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench. Frye shoots more efficiently (just being older doesn't mean ANYTHING), he has shown that he can rebound on the defensive glass, he has shown that he can defend the PF/C position against players like Gasol and Duncan. He can't dribble penetrate like Gallinari, and he doesn't overreact when he his a big shot like Danilo "Nate Robinson 2.0" Gallinari, but he is the better player out of the two. Both Gallinari and Chandler will have to have a spike in their potential to be all-star level players. I believe Chandler is on his way to being a Granger type player, if he take working on his game seriously. If he doesn't he wouldn't be anything more than a borderline starter for the rest of his career. If NY does happen to sign two MAX players, neither Gallinari or Chandler will get enough shot attempts to put up big #s, and the same is true for Douglas.

Your hate for Gallo is reaching ridiculous levels. You do realize Frye being garbage is one of the reasons the Suns lost the series, right? We get it, you like Chandler more than Gallo, good for you but you don't have to overrate Charmin Frye just to prove your point.

[GONYK]

Bosh and LeBron are 80% of the way to a title. You'd only need Gallinari to stay on course and develop at a decent clip, and fill in the roster with B+ type guys. That's a top contender.

Knicks fans need to stop putting so much hope in Gallinari. Nothing he's done would suggest that if he develops "at a decent clip" then he would 15-20% of the way to a title. Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench. Frye shoots more efficiently (just being older doesn't mean ANYTHING), he has shown that he can rebound on the defensive glass, he has shown that he can defend the PF/C position against players like Gasol and Duncan. He can't dribble penetrate like Gallinari, and he doesn't overreact when he his a big shot like Danilo "Nate Robinson 2.0" Gallinari, but he is the better player out of the two. Both Gallinari and Chandler will have to have a spike in their potential to be all-star level players. I believe Chandler is on his way to being a Granger type player, if he take working on his game seriously. If he doesn't he wouldn't be anything more than a borderline starter for the rest of his career. If NY does happen to sign two MAX players, neither Gallinari or Chandler will get enough shot attempts to put up big #s, and the same is true for Douglas.

Frye doesn't do anything better than Gallo outside of shot %. Nothing. It helps when you have Steve Nash giving you WIDE OPEN looks at the rim all season. Even Dragic is better than Duhon ever will be.

When Frye's shot deserted him early in the series, they might as well have had current Bob McAdoo out there. He has no additional dimensions to his game.

Your hate is getting out of hand man. It's clouding your judgment.

[Jay10]

it's not looking too good for delonte west. seems like the cavs are tryin to do whatever they have to, in order to keep lebron

[cgf]

Bosh and LeBron are 80% of the way to a title. You'd only need Gallinari to stay on course and develop at a decent clip, and fill in the roster with B+ type guys. That's a top contender.

Knicks fans need to stop putting so much hope in Gallinari. Nothing he's done would suggest that if he develops "at a decent clip" then he would 15-20% of the way to a title. Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench. Frye shoots more efficiently (just being older doesn't mean ANYTHING), he has shown that he can rebound on the defensive glass, he has shown that he can defend the PF/C position against players like Gasol and Duncan. He can't dribble penetrate like Gallinari, and he doesn't overreact when he his a big shot like Danilo "Nate Robinson 2.0" Gallinari, but he is the better player out of the two. Both Gallinari and Chandler will have to have a spike in their potential to be all-star level players. I believe Chandler is on his way to being a Granger type player, if he take working on his game seriously. If he doesn't he wouldn't be anything more than a borderline starter for the rest of his career. If NY does happen to sign two MAX players, neither Gallinari or Chandler will get enough shot attempts to put up big #s, and the same is true for Douglas.

Well that's just a bold faced lie. THe only thing Frye does better than gallo is have better team-mates, a skill I hope gallo is able to improve this coming season. Gallo's a lot better defensively than Frye, a better rebounder, a better passer, better at attacking the basket and better at getting to the line. Yes Frye shot at a higher percentage but he also didn't spend most of the season waiting in the corner to take the end of the shot clock three.

[4PointPlay]

Did anyone catch this ESPN article that put Lee as a "better" sidekick than Rose and Lopez?

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-freeagency-100529/lebron-combo-edition

Might be old, but it's worth a read.

[KnicksScholar24]

Frye shot 44% from the 3-point line, although he only had 392 attempt, opposed to Gallinari's ridiculous 488 attempts. Once Gallinari shoots 44% from 3-point range and 45% or more from the field, then I'll call him a "sharpshooter" or treat him as some sort of a "savior" or a great "sidekick."

It's always the same delusional Gallinari-lovers who claim I "hate Gallinari." I just give credit when it's due. I've seen no overwhelming evidence that would suggest he can be anywhere on the level of James or Bosh. He's about on Channing Frye's or Kyle Korver's level and both of them are better shooters than Gallinari. I was also labeled a "Eddy Curry hater" back in his 19.5 & 7 year because I stated he was garbage. His defense was horrible, his passing was horrible, his rebounding was bad, and he had a propensity for offensive fouls and turnovers. All the poster that defended him and stated that I didn't know what I was talking about have either stop posting, changed their screen-name, or are using different user accounts. I was a Curry hater. I am not a Gallinari hater (even though Curry in that year had proved more than Gallinari has this season). I'm just not delusional. And I won't give Danilo undeserved "props" until he earns it. I don't give him kudos solely for being 22 yrs old. Getting older doesn't mean he'll shoot better. Chandler went from 32% to 27% after getting a year older. I like the fact that Gallinari is defensive minded and thinks team first, but it doesn't mean right now he's anything more than solid on defense (although better than expected) and his "team-first" philosophy repeatedly had him being uninvolved in the offense and invisible for most of the game (before the Chandler and Harrington injuries).

I will defend Gallinari from outside fans who claim that Gallinari sucks or is a bad player or a weak defender, but I'm also going to let delusional homers/Gallo-lovers know the reality of Gallinari's current level of play. Unlike these outside fans, I've watched nearly every Knicks game last season (and seasons before), so I know Gallinari doesn't suck. I definitely know he's not leagues better than Chandler, nor does he have substantially more potential. The difference in both players' potential will primarily depend on which player works the hardest on their game (although other factors like opportunity, health, and playing time will come into account when it comes to displaying their games). Frye, right now, is a better shooter, rebounder, and interior defender than Gallinari. Gallinari is the better perimeter defender, better ball handler/passer, and better at creating his own shot & drawing fouls. Gallinari is not a "sharpshooter." When he shoots over 42% from the field, forget the eFG% or "true" FG% statistics BS, then I'll call him a "sharpshooter." People thought Quentin Richardson was a "sharpshooter" when he lead the league in 3-point attempts as well. Efficient-shooting is better than bulk-shooting, IMO.

Neither Gallinari, Chandler, or Douglas are going to convince any major free agent to sign with New York (just like it didn't with Grant Hill and Jason Kidd). If people on this board talked half the amount of idealistic nonsense about Chandler, Douglas, Walker, or Rodriguez as they do about Gallinari, I would probably be viewed as a Chandler, Douglas, Walker, or Rodriguez-hater here too. There are still a lot of areas in Gallinari's games that I need to see before I drink the "kool-aid." Can he play PF? Can he defend at the 4 position? Can he grab double-digit rebounds per game (or close), assuming he'll be getting over 35 MPG? Can he shoot over 42% from the field? Can he improve his dribble penetration ability? Can he play next to a superstar player or two and still be as effective as possible? Can develop a high/low post game, and not just stand on the 3-point line? Etc, etc. I have similar questions for all of the Knicks' young players, which is why I don't see any of them as being way better than any other.

[KnicksScholar24]

Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench.

Well that's just a bold faced lie. THe only thing Frye does better than gallo is have better team-mates, a skill I hope gallo is able to improve this coming season. Gallo's a lot better defensively than Frye, a better rebounder, a better passer, better at attacking the basket and better at getting to the line. Yes Frye shot at a higher percentage but he also didn't spend most of the season waiting in the corner to take the end of the shot clock three.

How can something that is a matter of personal opinion be "bold faced lie?" Right now it's your opinion against mines. Neither opinion is a bold faced lie.

IMO, right now, Frye is the better player. Frye's rookie season could even be considered better than Gallinari's second season. Frye showed very good promise until his second season decline after his injury. Until Danilo proves he can defend the PF/C position effectively, especially against a player the caliber of Pau Gasol then he would have eclipsed Channing, even if Frye continues to be a way more efficient (and less streaky) shooter percentage-wise.

Frye's 3-point shooting did take a dip in the playoffs, as does mostly all 3-point shooters. Playoff caliber defense is more intense, and players that normally jack up open 3-pointers in the regular season are more likely to get taken out of the game in the post-season (see Szczerbiak or Van Horn or Rashard Lewis). That's another thing Gallinari will need to prove; that he can maintain his long distance shooting even when defensive intensify. Since he shoots a lot of 3-pointers off-the-dribble with a defender in his face (hence the streaky 42% & 38% shooting percentages), I don't think he'll be as affected by playoff defensive.

[nykgeneralmanager]

Frye shot 44% from the 3-point line, although he only had 392 attempt, opposed to Gallinari's ridiculous 488 attempts. Once Gallinari shoots 44% from 3-point range and 45% or more from the field, then I'll call him a "sharpshooter" or treat him as some sort of a "savior" or a great "sidekick."

Sooo like last year when he shot 45% from the field and 44% from downtown with a bad back? Granted he didn't have the amount of attempts he did this year, but he was doing it with a painful injury as a rookie. Gotta count for something. We all know he can shoot extremely, to argue over semantics like "sharpshooter" is pretty silly.

If Gallo had Nash setting him up and teammates who shot the 3 ball and spread the floor, while Frye had to take contested 3s at the end of every shotclock because his PG was Chris Duhon, the numbers may be reversed here.

[VinnyTheMick]

Charmin Frye is not better than Gallo. That's just nonsense.

[cgf]

Right now Channing Frye is a better player than Gallinari, and he's a reserve off the bench.

Well that's just a bold faced lie. THe only thing Frye does better than gallo is have better team-mates, a skill I hope gallo is able to improve this coming season. Gallo's a lot better defensively than Frye, a better rebounder, a better passer, better at attacking the basket and better at getting to the line. Yes Frye shot at a higher percentage but he also didn't spend most of the season waiting in the corner to take the end of the shot clock three.

How can something that is a matter of personal opinion be "bold faced lie?" Right now it's your opinion against mines. Neither opinion is a bold faced lie.

IMO, right now, Frye is the better player. Frye's rookie season could even be considered better than Gallinari's second season. Frye showed very good promise until his second season decline after his injury. Until Danilo proves he can defend the PF/C position effectively, especially against a player the caliber of Pau Gasol then he would have eclipsed Channing, even if Frye continues to be a way more efficient (and less streaky) shooter percentage-wise.

Frye's 3-point shooting did take a dip in the playoffs, as does mostly all 3-point shooters. Playoff caliber defense is more intense, and players that normally jack up open 3-pointers in the regular season are more likely to get taken out of the game in the post-season (see Szczerbiak or Van Horn or Rashard Lewis). That's another thing Gallinari will need to prove; that he can maintain his long distance shooting even when defensive intensify. Since he shoots a lot of 3-pointers off-the-dribble with a defender in his face (hence the streaky 42% & 38% shooting percentages), I don't think he'll be as affected by playoff defensive.

First of all opinions can be wrong, secondly you stated it as fact, when it's clearly not. Gallo has already done better against Amare than Frye has done against any big man. That in a season where he couldn't work out much over the summer because of offseason back surgery.

As for the percentages you're just ignoring that gallo had to take 2 3's a game with the shot clock ticking down because our team couldn't create anything so they finally gave it to Gallo for the buzzer beater just because he had the best shot of hitting a 3 with no time and a hand in his face. Giving him smarter team-mates takes those bad 3's out of his percentages which would dramatically improve his shooting percentages.

[Starksfor3]

KnickScholar is a pure Gallo hater. His opinion on Gallo should not be counted for anything. I honestly think Gallo might have dissed him at some point or maybe he has some other kind of agenda.

[HighRyzer83]

LOL knick "scholar" Im sure you got left back at some point

[Bigmo5246]

Gallo actually has potential to do big things in this league. He has gained respect all over the league from some of the biggest players and is known to be complementary to Lebron's and Bosh's play. What has Noah done??

Heck Gerald Green, had potential Noah game had grown over the past couple of year he good shot blocker and rebounder. You don't think Noah has respect all over the NBA more then Gallo has now.

Are you kidding me??? Gallo hasn't gotten any respect. Do you not remember the Nuggets game when he was going off against Melo. Do you not remember when he faced KG? Even Lebron approached him after his only game at the Garden. Please tell me what praise Noah has gotten from anybody, besides ESPN analysts.

[Bigmo5246]

CGF, even with this being the case, Gallo is a SF/PF whereas Noah is a Center. Given Gallo's skillset, he could present a ton of mismatches for opponents. But Noah's skillset is one that will present a ton of problems for opposing centers as well. Noah IS a double double machine only having completed 3 seasons in the league. So again, we are dealing with the proven vs the unproven. Now...one more season could change that. But again...even if Gallo pans out the way that many of you guys feel he will, it doesnt change what Jokim has already proven. I never once said that Gallo sucks and is going to be a bust. But Noah (along with Rose) have already proven that they can peform at a high level at the highest of levels. What Gallo might be cant change that.

So with that said, I can respect how you guys feel about Gallo so long as you guys can respect how we feel about the value of our young guys.

I respect what your young players, especially Rose. I will never deny Rose is a great player and I never said that Noah was bad, I just don't feel he is as good as people make him seem. IMO, Noah is one of those guys that is easily replaceable. There are many people who play like Noah, bigs that hustle and defend. With Gallo however, I believe he is one of those players who is special. He is a big that has a great shot, can drive in the paint, draw fouls, is an underrated defender and can take over a game and at some points is very very tough to guard (ask Melo and KG)

[Bulls69]

CGF, even with this being the case, Gallo is a SF/PF whereas Noah is a Center. Given Gallo's skillset, he could present a ton of mismatches for opponents. But Noah's skillset is one that will present a ton of problems for opposing centers as well. Noah IS a double double machine only having completed 3 seasons in the league. So again, we are dealing with the proven vs the unproven. Now...one more season could change that. But again...even if Gallo pans out the way that many of you guys feel he will, it doesnt change what Jokim has already proven. I never once said that Gallo sucks and is going to be a bust. But Noah (along with Rose) have already proven that they can peform at a high level at the highest of levels. What Gallo might be cant change that.

So with that said, I can respect how you guys feel about Gallo so long as you guys can respect how we feel about the value of our young guys.

I respect what your young players, especially Rose. I will never deny Rose is a great player and I never said that Noah was bad, I just don't feel he is as good as people make him seem. IMO, Noah is one of those guys that is easily replaceable. There are many people who play like Noah, bigs that hustle and defend. With Gallo however, I believe he is one of those players who is special. He is a big that has a great shot, can drive in the paint, draw fouls, is an underrated defender and can take over a game and at some points is very very tough to guard (ask Melo and KG)

What has Gallo done to say he is special? I understand ,we all overrate our players but you guys act like Gallo is the next Larry bird I watch alot of Knicks games this past season to say Noah easily replaceable is funny to me. I heard to same thing about Curry,Balkman, and etc etc so let's see what happen in next year or two before before you call Gallo special.

[K_ick_God]

Did anyone catch this ESPN article that put Lee as a "better" sidekick than Rose and Lopez?

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-freeagency-100529/lebron-combo-edition

Might be old, but it's worth a read.

Thanks, very good read.

Backs up Hollinger's analysis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/ ... _hollinger

And the Basketball Prospectus story as well:

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/art ... cleid=1136

[K_ick_God]

CGF, even with this being the case, Gallo is a SF/PF whereas Noah is a Center. Given Gallo's skillset, he could present a ton of mismatches for opponents. But Noah's skillset is one that will present a ton of problems for opposing centers as well. Noah IS a double double machine only having completed 3 seasons in the league. So again, we are dealing with the proven vs the unproven. Now...one more season could change that. But again...even if Gallo pans out the way that many of you guys feel he will, it doesnt change what Jokim has already proven. I never once said that Gallo sucks and is going to be a bust. But Noah (along with Rose) have already proven that they can peform at a high level at the highest of levels. What Gallo might be cant change that.

So with that said, I can respect how you guys feel about Gallo so long as you guys can respect how we feel about the value of our young guys.

I respect what your young players, especially Rose. I will never deny Rose is a great player and I never said that Noah was bad, I just don't feel he is as good as people make him seem. IMO, Noah is one of those guys that is easily replaceable. There are many people who play like Noah, bigs that hustle and defend. With Gallo however, I believe he is one of those players who is special. He is a big that has a great shot, can drive in the paint, draw fouls, is an underrated defender and can take over a game and at some points is very very tough to guard (ask Melo and KG)

What has Gallo done to say he is special? I understand ,we all overrate our players but you guys act like Gallo is the next Larry bird I watch alot of Knicks games this past season to say Noah easily replaceable is funny to me. I heard to same thing about Curry,Balkman, and etc etc so let's see what happen in next year or two before before you call Gallo special.

How much worst is Anderson Varejao than Noah? Andy was taken 30th in the draft.

Rodman -- a one of a kind energy guy -- was not drafted.

Rony Turiaf was taken 37th and filled the energy role well on the Lakers before he got his current contract.

Those guys are available and yes, Noah is very good at his role. But non-scoring energy bigs are not that hard to find or that rare. They may not be as good as Noah but so what. You only need those guys to fill the role around 3 primary scoring options which the Knicks would have with LBJ, Bosh and Gallo.

[InsideInfo]

Rony Turiaf was taken 37th and filled the energy role well on the Lakers before he got his current contract.

Really? youre comparing Rony Turiaf to Joakim Noah?

That is like a bulls fan saying Gallo is just like every other soft Euro player who jacks up a lot of 3s