[knicksfreakParticipant]

Much has been made about McGrady possibly being able to push the Knicks to the playoffs but the acquisition of Sergio Rodriguez can quite possibly be the catalyst that propels them. Sergio has been a Knicks-killer in the past and has a good combination of scoring ability and court vision that appears to be an upgrade over the ailing Chris Duhon. The 6’3″ Rodriguez may be the missing piece to run D’Antoni’s high tempo offense. He brings the a European pedigree similar to the coach himself. It may not be likely, but if the Knicks can string together a winning streak they could find themselves occupying the #8 spot in the East.

[McWinningParticipant]

yeah i think he can help them he also plays underrated d earlier in his career he was awful now hes much better if you give him starter minutes he would give you about 2steals a game and hes a solid man to man defender. ill definitely be watching their game on Saturday to see how well him and T-Mac do.

[knicksfreakParticipant]

Sergio isnt going to make the Knicks contenders but he can help them make a push to the playoffs.

If Gallo starts hitting his shots again then the Knicks will start picking up.

[rtbtParticipant]

knicksfreak, McGrady is a guy with a body that’s falling apart. He might stay healthy and regain his form, but I wouldn’t bet on it. In light of that, I think he’s at best, a short term solution.

However, I do agree that Sergio Rodriguez could prove to be a major upgrade over Chris Duhon, one of the primary reasons the team is doing so poorly this year.

Rodriguez is another one of those guys who never seems to get the opportunity to reach his potential. However, when you watch on the court during one of his rare opportunities, you can’t help but ask yourself why he doesn’t get regular playing time.

Sergio Rodriguez is very quick, he’s a terrific ball handler, and his passing skills remind me of Steve Nash. I think he has to work on his outside shooting, which isn’t easy to change. I don’t see him as “the missing piece”, but in the end, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact he has on the team.

[rtbtParticipant]

I think one of the reasons Gallinari is slumping is the lack of teammates who understand how to get him the ball in shooting position. As a result, he often winds up taking poor quality shots.

One big need is a PG who knows how to set up Gallo who is essentially a stand up shooter. I also think the Knicks should do what Duke did when JJ Redick was a senior, regularly run Gallinari off of pics and put him in a position to take good shots.

[knicksfreakParticipant]

Gallinari tends to get stagnant and he needs to learn how to move without the ball. When he doesnt have the ball he seems to become a spectator. He disappointed me on Wednesday night by missing a decent look at 3 then almost airballing a very good look at 3 to tie the game.

[McWinningParticipant]

yeah i agree hopefully Sergio will be able to get him the ball in the right places their both international players and Sergio has always been good at passing to three point shooters his best strength is passing to cutters.

[knicksfreakParticipant]

Well Chandler is a slasher and Gallo is a shooter so we’ll see who Sergio can dish to better haha

[McWinningParticipant]

whos gonna start for them at the four? will they slide Gallo over or start Harrington or what?

[McWinningParticipant]

yeah Sergio seemed to have very good chemistry with Casspi and always found him on backdoor cuts, maybe Chandler will be that player for him.

[knicksfreakParticipant]

They would slide Chandler over before Gallo. I’d imagine thats what they will do when McGrady is able to start. Until then I think he’s going to keep shaking up the lineup.

projected lineup:

C- Lee
PF- Chandler
SF- Gallinari
SG-McGrady
PG- Rodriguez

[rtbtParticipant]

I agree in that Gallinari tends to be a spectator but this could be one of those chicken and egg situations. The Knicks don’t make an effort to run him off picks and he’s essentially left on his own to find and create shots. I think one of the reasons Gallinari is slumping is the lack of teammates who understand how to get him the ball in shooting position. As a result, he often winds up taking poor quality shots.

If he was a focal point of the offense and the Knicks regularly run him off picks as Duke did with JJ Redick, I think you would see Gallo taking better shots and become far more effective.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

The Knicks are too small to make a playoff push….our only legit ‘bigman’ is David Lee, and we have, we had a bad shot-blocking presence before, but now tehres none at all…

I wonder who D’Antoni is gonna use as a backup C, as bad as Jeffries was, he made defense plays on the perimeter & in the post, plus he could play & defend every position..

Now we have ZERO defense…our only legit defenders on the entire team are Douglas & Chandler

Everyones getting excited…but in reality, these last 30-something games will be very rough..

[McWinningParticipant]

didnt the Suns used to play a front line of Marion and Diaw? thats pretty small but they still were very good. i do agree they lack defenders if i were the Knicks i wouldve made a huge push for Chuck Hayes in the deal.

[Da1potParticipant]

Rodriguez will reach his potential in New York. He has never had his chance and has finally gotten it… He reminds me of a flashy younger version of Jose Calderon and will flourish in D’Antoni’s system. It is time for Duhon to resume his true position as a back up. They will make the playoffs, however (obviously) they are gone in the first round.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I agree. I think Sergio will get a look but NY is not gonna resign him.

Bill Walker is the guy I hope getting some PT. His contract has a option that allows NY to keep him and not damage there chances to adding 2 Free agents. Plus, he can hold a roster spot

[rtbtParticipant]

Except for the playoff prediction, I agree with everything Da1Pot said above. It will be interesting to see what impact Rodriguez has on Gallinari, who’s played all season with guys who don’t know how to pass or set screens.

Have you noticed how many players improved their 3 point shooting after they were traded to Phoenix? One of the primary reasons is Steve Nash. He knows how to get the ball to shooters at the right time and directly in their hands so they can go straight up with the shot.

Gallinari had to find or make his own openings this season. And his teammates are such bad passers that he often has to bend over or stretch for the pass. It sounds trivial but it throws off the balance of shooters who have to essentially reload.

Shooters need to receive the ball chest high so they can go right up with the shot. This is one area where I think Rodriguez could have a positive impact because he’s a vastly superior passer to Chris Duhon.

[Da1potParticipant]

Yeah maybe the playoffs is a stretch, but the Knicks will improve significantly to the point where they will contend for a spot at least. I agree with what you said about players moving to Phoenix. Look at players like Channing Frye… Everyone on the Knicks is a horrific passer. You woudn’t think that a nuance like the position of the ball would affect a great shooter like Gallinari, but believe me, it effects everyone- especially a rhythm shooter like Gallinari.

[rtbtParticipant]

Poor passing actually impacts Gallinari even more than say someone like Ray Allen. Why? Because at 6 ft 10 inches he has to bend over, straighten out that tall body, and reload. Guards can make that physical adjustment much quicker.

[QUINCEY]

thats true rtb

[McWinningParticipant]

MVP!!!! they might have to sign him to a double max contract if they wanna keep him.

[Author]

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