(Big C) Over the last couple of weeks we have devoted a lot of time to the new players on the Knicks team. We can’t overlook that the excitement for the upcoming season includes the anticipation of the two returning players, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari. Both players will be key pieces in the starting lineup to help take the load off new members Raymond Felton and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Last year we saw both players contribute to the Knicks with their ability to score and deliver on the defensive end of the court. Last season you would have been hard pressed to find a press conference with Mike D’Antoni not mentioning Danilo Gallinari or Wilson Chandler. So now in the off-season we have heard good things about Danilo Gallinari as well as Wilson Chandler.
Wilson Chandler has not missed a beat. When the Knicks season was over he was working on getting his strength back to game level after his season ending injury. During Chandler’s summer league interview he looked bigger than ever. And according to people that saw Chandler in Vegas he looked built like a tank.
Besides hitting the weight room to get stronger, Wilson Chandler has been working on his handle and his jumpshot. I have always felt that his midrange shot was on point, it’s just his handle that needed work. It is good to know Wilson Chandler has been putting the time in to work on his handle.
Last season Wilson Chandler made it impossible for defenders to guard him, despite not having a left hand dribble. He would use his crossover to drive right or his handle to switch to his stop and pop jumpshot. Besides his midrange jumpshot his postup game is very solid.
Chandler is a player that knows how to gain position and go right into his move without getting called for a violation. In the post he can either go left or right or use his fadeway shot. Now that we know he has gained some extra muscle it will be a hard cover for anyone guarding him in the post. Especially with him standing at 6’8 playing shooting guard.
With regard to Danilo Gallinari, it was mentioned on Knicks Night Live that Gallo has been working out with Kobe Bryant’s trainer in Italy. If that’s not a positive sign I don’t know what is. Danilo Gallinari finished last season as one of the best deep shooters in the game. He also proved that he is not scared to go up against the best competition in the league. Besides his shooting, last season we got a glimpse of his postup game.
Gallinari has to improve his ability to drive more and his midrange shot also needs work. If he can get strong and work on catching and shooting off the pick with the short jump then we will see Danilo Gallinari get to the line. Like Chandler, I think Danilo Gallinari needs to sharpen up his handle. He needs to just do two or three dribbles and go straight to the hole.
Both players need to elevate their games. Chandler has to expand his long range shot. While Danilo Gallinari has to increase his mid-range game. What I like about both players is they make a good combination at the 2 and 3 spots. Danilo Gallinari causes problems for defenders at 6’10 and Chandler at 6’8 is headache for shooting guards.
On offense Danilo Gallinari can play the shooting guard while Wilson Chandler plays the 3 position. What I see for next season are teams having to make adjustments to match up with Chandler and Danilo rather than the Knicks struggling to matchup with opposing teams.
I have high expectations for both players next season. If they are not getting it done on the offensive end of the court you better believe that they will get it do on defensive end Chandler
SOURCE: Fromthebaseline.com
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I love hearing that Gallinari is working out with Kobe's trainer...
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