Young Core Continues to Shine Despite Loss
A special kind of energy has followed the Cleveland Cavaliers ever since LeBron James entered the league in 2003. Add Shaquille O’Neal to the mix this season and they’re certainly one of the NBA’s biggest attractions.
If everything goes according to plan, a similar buzz will emanate from The Garden sooner rather than later due to the Knicks' impressive young core highlighted by forward Danilo Gallinari. The second-year Italian star has already created excitement whenever he touches the ball.
“We have to get to that point where the Knicks bring that energy and the Knicks are that attraction,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said before Friday’s 100-91 loss to the Cavs. “We’re not there yet obviously.”
The Knicks, however, continue to show signs that they’re headed in the right direction with Gallinari leading the way.
Playing in front of a national TV audience for the first time this season, Gallinari displayed his long-range shooting as he scored 17 points, nine of which came during a big fourth-quarter run that helped the Knicks cut an early 26-point deficit to eight with under four minutest to play. He was 4-for-8 from downtown.
Gallinari has gained several new fans with his clutch shooting this season and he has already earned praise from some of the best players in the game, including James, who approached Gallinari before and after the game.
“He told me to keep working hard, to keep doing my thing and to keep working on my back stretching and working on my strength,” Gallinari said. “It’s a good feeling and I think he respects me.”
Gallinari, who is averaging 17.5 points after undergoing back surgery last season, has hit a 3-pointer in each of the Knicks’ six games this season and at least three in four. He is shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. His incredible jumper is one of the reasons why the Knicks think things will get turned around sooner than later.
“We want to keep improving our young guys and getting our core better,” D’Antoni said. “I think we have a good start with Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.”
Rookie Jordan Hill can also be added to that list. After playing only a couple minutes in the first game of the season, Hill played a career-high five minutes and scored a career-best six points on three jumpers.
“It’s time I have to start playing him some,” D’Antoni said. “We have to start developing him little by little. We threw him out in the first half and I thought he was OK offensively. Defensively is where he needs to make big jumps.”
Hill found himself matched up against James, but no one could have slowed him down in the 24 minutes.
James continued his dominance at The Garden, or what he often refers to as “The Mecca of Basketball.” He was aggressive from the start, scoring 19 in the first-quarter alone en route to a game-high 33 points.
“This building is special,” he said. “It’s a great coming here every year and being able to play the game of basketball at a high level.”
The Knicks will look for their second win of the season tomorrow night in Milwaukee.
Game Notes: Celebrities in attendance included Jay-Z, John Legend, Chris Rock. NY Yankees in attendance following their World Series parade earlier in the day included CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Joba Chamberlain. Former Knicks Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason and Larry Johnson were also in attendance.
