The Gallinari Code

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 8:05 AM PDT in NBA Draft Comment 38 comments

For all of you Marreese Speights fans out there, keep your eyes on what Danilo Gallinari decides today.

As reported by DraftExpress, Gallinari supposedly will pull out of the draft if he is not guaranteed to go in the top ten. This would make it mathematically possible for Rose/Beasley/Mayo/Bayless/Love/Randolph/Westbrook/Gordon/Augustin/Alexander/Lopez to all be gone by the time we choose at 12, leaving us the prospect of DeAndre Jordan, Darrell Arthur, Nicolas Batum, Speights, or others.

We thought this sort of math worked against us last year, when we needed swingmen Jeff Green, Corey Brewer and Julian Green to go in the top nine to assure us Brandan Wright or Joakim Noah. That didn't happen, and as a result many around here were devasted by our selection of Hawes (I think that we're much happier with the selection now, eh?).

My personal opinion (which doubles as croutons at the Round Table salad bar), is that there is a big difference between Rose/Beasley/Mayo/Bayless/Love/Randolph/Westbrook/Gordon/Augustin/Alexander/Lopez and the other guys. If nothing else, it is important that Gallinari stays in just because it will cause one of those players to fall to 12 and at least give GP that one extra player to choose from.

Deadline for pulling out of the draft is 2 PM PST today. Remember our picks at 42 & 43, as they will also be impacted if there is a mass exodus.

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I like croutons

So what you’re saying here is that we’re likely in for yet another draft where we are all going to be at least slightly disappointed in the player who falls to us, and will have to trust that Petrie knows what he’s doing (ala Peja and Hawes).

And I was one of the devastated last year. We were this close to Noah.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 16, 2008 8:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Question

How, exactly, is one guaranteed a top-ten spot in the draft?

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 16, 2008 8:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For example

New Jersey determines that Gallinari is one their top ten players, so they guarantee Gallinari that they will draft him if he is still on the board. The gate swings both ways on this, as the Nets would gain an assurance from Gallinari and his agent (Arn Tellem) that he will come over this year if the Nets draft him. This can still backfire, though (see Orlando Magic & Fran Vazquez).

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha

Risky business.

I know there’s a lot of prestige/money involved in your draft position, but if it were me, I think I’d prefer to be picked in the 10-20 range. Better odds of going to a decent team, and not a lot of pressure to be a franchise savior.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 16, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Bayless

was supposed to be really good… Why is it that potential always overwrites skill? I mean I would love to have Westbrook at our pick, but really what would we do if we had the 4th pick overall, my guess is not take Westbrook. Sure he is a good defender, but can he run an offense and score the ball, I say no at this point.

by moproblemz on Jun 16, 2008 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seattle's pick is the key to the draft, and alot of stuff depending on whom they pick, will change

after that. I use to think Minnesota’s pick is the key, but Seattle is definitely that swing pick, because of how many guards that are out there who provide Seattle with skills, and abilities, it sorely provides.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jun 17, 2008 3:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Gallinari

stays in Italy, will the chances of Petrie trying to move up increase? If Gallinari opting out could potentially keep GP from getting someone he really wants (Alexander?) I wonder if he would make a move…

There could end up being more moves than usual in the lottery, as Draft Express and others have reported that Miami, Memphis and others have been shopping their picks…

"... if you watch the way I play, I'm not going to be flashy. I'm just going to get it done. I led the league in free throws made per game. There's nothing soft about that." - Speed Racer

by sroufe on Jun 16, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Some potentially good news...

Apparently Arm Tellem, Gallinari’s agent, told ESPN that Gallinari was staying in the draft as of last night.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftNotes-080616&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dDraftNotes-080616

by dmj on Jun 16, 2008 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That is good news -

provided we can trust Arn Tellem.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

The one positive thing I can say, though, is that there doesn’t appear to be a Hawes-type player available at 12. Worst case scenario, we end up taking either Arthur or Greene, which wouldn’t be that disappointing.

by dmj on Jun 16, 2008 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Looks official now

DraftExpress is saying that he is staying, citing his personal website, which is great news for us.

by dmj on Jun 16, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whew!

Thanks for chasing this, dmj. Good news.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now what?

Do we hope Milwaukee bites at #8? New Jersey at #10?

"... if you watch the way I play, I'm not going to be flashy. I'm just going to get it done. I led the league in free throws made per game. There's nothing soft about that." - Speed Racer

by sroufe on Jun 16, 2008 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All of the above? The odds seem better than last year, which required Charlotte or Chicago to prefer Hawes over Wright or Noah, respectively.

Of course, Hawes again shows how little we currently know about how these guys will perform at the pro level.

by Ziller on Jun 16, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know this sounds bad but...

I have watched a lot of clips on Gallinari and if he is signable I like him a lot. He is very fluid through his hips, his jumper looks a lot like Dirks’ and he has some nice moves off the dribble; passsing and scoring. I think he can create his own shot at the NBA level which I don’t think Alexander can do so. I don’t buy the Snackbar comparison of GP- sounds like gamesmanship.

Tiger buries a huge putt on the 10th, Rocco misses- done deal.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about a StR contingent at the draft day party?

Is anyone interested in having a round up at the draft party? I used to go to everyone of these and loved them. Everyone gets pissed about the pick and then Petrie comes out and gives low key intro which only adds to the frustration. Good times.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to -

- but can’t – I’m married…

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm married too, and I have two kids...

If she’ll let you use her picture as a internet prop (in your video for the draft competition, not the monkey with the hat on) I think she’ll let you go to the draft day party. And by round up….I meant fully clothed meeting of the minds to share in beer drinking and draft day disappointment…not to “try our thick creamy shakes.”

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

First,

thanks for disassociating Mrs. section214 and Mr. Teeny. Second, if you listen very carefully you can hear the whip cracking in the background.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So the trained monkey is really you?

Sorry to hear that.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

FanHouse duties preclude me from stepping away from the laptop that evening, unfortunately.

by Ziller on Jun 16, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prediction

Prediction: Petrie will only, ONLY draft a guy with a jump shot.

by Carl on Jun 16, 2008 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about that.

I agree that that has been Petries M.O. but IMO the kings have to have a power player with athleticism, shot blocking/rebounding/defensive skills. The Kings don’t need another 7 footer with an outside game like Miller, Moore, Hawes (Thomas and Williams omitted because I don’t think they have any game at all). I also don’t think that the players at the point guard position that might be available when the Kings pick are great shooters either. The Kings have shooters in Martin, Garcia, Artest and Beno- added to the big men already mentioned. What the Kings need is a distributor and a rebounder/defender big, they should concentrate on those two areas regardless of shooting ability.

All this being said, I am the one who just posted about taking Gallinari.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem is

that there probably won’t be a power player like that available at 12, jjham. Unless we want to roll the dice on a Speights or Alexis Ajinca.

I think Petrie is once again faced with taking the BPA, (which luckily he’s pretty good at).

"When the going gets Weird, the Weird turn professional."
(Hunter Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Jun 16, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair

Martin, Garcia, Wallace, Hedo, Abdul-Wahid and Corliss were not known as great shooters when GP drafted them, though MArtin, Garcia and Hedo graded out as at least fair. Hawes (for his size), Douby, J-Will and Peja were considered very good shooters.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Chuck Person can work with anyone.

I can’t imagine he would take a job in Chicago to work with Vinny Del Negro so I hope he’s back. Now if the Kings can only get a big man coach to work with Sheldon Williams. Maybe Dancing with the stars will take him and teach him how to move his feet or maybe his girlfriend can work with him.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

I disagree. Martin, Garcia and Hedo were absolutely jump shooters when they were drafted. Martin is the only one of the three who has really expanded his game beyond the jump shot. (Not that that’s a bad thing with the other two guys).

The Kings gave up on Wallace too soon (by signing Anthony Peeler) and Abdul-Wahid wasn’t any good. The Kings are obsessed with “versatility” and jump shooting. I hope they prove me wrong and draft the athletic rebounder and shotblocker the team has needed since Keon Clark left FIVE years ago, but I doubt it.

by Carl on Jun 16, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes,

they were jump shooters. But they were not known as especially gifted shooters. That’s one of the big reasons that both Garcia and Martin lasted into the 20’s of the draft. My goodness, remember the first time you wathced Marin shoot. Everyone wanted to know why we would draft a guy with a stroke like that.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Petrie's body of work is pretty large.

Obviously a guy who has been a NBA GM as long as GP is going to make some mistakes but its not like he’s drafted in the top 5 every year and come up with the shit the Hawks are known for. You can’t really compare the Wahid and Wallace picks, they were the 11 and 26 respectively and only prove that the draft is a crap shoot even for the best of them. Petrie and Adelman loved the versatile player, but again we are now dealing with a completely different coaching staff and team make-up so who knows were Petrie goes with this pick. I hope its a big, lacking finesse, who plays above the rim but Love and Hibbert are both intriguing also so who the hells knows.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 17, 2008 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I loved reading the draft reactions from last year.

I think I was so angry I spit on my laptop, which…caused all of those typo’s. I just remember poor Otis (the only time I will ever use that term with Otis) trying to be the voice of reason. The Hawes pick may end up working out but I am still disappointed that Petrie didn’t make a move for a second first round pick. I would have preferred to be drafting in the top 6 this year with two second year players and a lot less wins.

Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.

by jjham15 on Jun 16, 2008 12:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I'm still

not on board with Hawes.

I think he’s got enough talent to play in the NBA, especially as an offensive player, but he just doesn’t fit in with my little dream of a Kings front-court that can rip down rebounds, play hard nosed defense and move the ball around on offense.

"When the going gets Weird, the Weird turn professional."
(Hunter Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Jun 16, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gallinari is in.

And that’s a wise decision because he’s a highly skilled, smart, self-motivated and intense 6’9” SF with really good ball handling skills, plus the ability to create his own offensive opportunities. That kind of stuff makes NBA GM’s sit up and notice. Plus he’s got lots of on-court experience playing against a high level of competition despite being just 19 years old. I’d be shocked if he fell out of the Top 10.

The key now is DJ Augustin. If he goes to the Knicks or Pacers then the Kings will almost certainly get either Westbrook, Randolph or Alexander. If Augustin slips then probably none of those three names will be available, and I’ll be bummed.

"When the going gets Weird, the Weird turn professional."
(Hunter Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Jun 16, 2008 6:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised Milwaukee isn't looking at him with their 6th pick

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jun 17, 2008 3:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, pookey,

although, who knows, maybe they are!

I know Alexander has looked good in the workouts but if I’m the Bucks GM I’d probably take Gallinari before the kid from West Virginia, who probably has a higher upside but is also still very raw and unpolished. Gallinari on the other hand should be playing some serious NBA minutes by next spring.

"When the going gets Weird, the Weird turn professional."
(Hunter Thompson)

by Mucho Moss on Jun 17, 2008 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the consideration in Bucks land that dealing Redd is a priority

Then I would hope that picking a player with Alexander’s upside comes clearer into view, as opposed to the expectation that whomever you select contributes by next spring.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jun 18, 2008 2:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Stand By My Devastation

Hawes looks a lot better than I imagined, I’ll admit, but need I remind people that Thaddeus Young, Julian Wright, Al Thornton, and Rodney Stuckey were selected 12-15? Time will tell, but arguably all those guys look like better prospects than a kid with bad knees. Hawes wasn’t a bad pick, but he probably could have been a better pick. Picking one of those guys also might have accelerated a Ron-Ron trade that everyone seems to think will make the sky rain pink lemonade.

by BarnesyardSportsManagement on Jun 16, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

But

the guys you named wouldn’t have gotten a tick of time with us last year, or close to it. Young, Wright and Thornton would have received Dahntay Jones’ minutes, Stuckey would have had to have shined in practice to wrestle Douby’s few minutes away from him.

Part of the reason that the guys you mentioned flourished is because their teams gave them the opportunity. As the 20 year old Hawes continues to mature and gain more minutes, it will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the players you mentioned.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jun 16, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't you mean Julian Wright? (I think that's so, but it's hard to know for sure anymore)

As opposed to whoever Julian Green is?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jun 17, 2008 3:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs