The Knicks chose Danilo Gallinari with the 6th pick in the Draft. Jay Bilas described him as lacking lateral quickness. They showed clips of him driving to the basket and I had to rub my eyes and look closely to make sure the replays weren't in slow motion. They weren't. Apparently, he is a weak defender.
Recent Italian players drafted include: Marco Belinelli (drafted 18th in 2007, 2.9 ppg in 33 games for Golden State) and Andrea Bargnani (drafted 1st in 2006, 10.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for his NBA career so far). Of course, Nikoloz Tskitishvili played in the Italian league before he was drafted 5th in 2002 and averaged 2.9 ppg for his career. So that isn't a good recommendation for the Italian league. Gallinari's father played with new Knicks coach, Mike D'Antonio in Italy, which also speaks ill of the pick. Listen, nepotism is fine in some cases. If D'Antonio feels like he owes Gallinari's father, let the son be a ball boy or a water boy, don't draft him with the 6th pick in the NBA Draft.
Gallinari is evidently a good shooter. The Knicks need shooting. They also need everything else! Eric Gordon, Joe Alexander, D.J. Augustin, Brook Lopez, and Jerryd Bayless were picked immediately after Gallinari. We'll see if any of them stack up a better career than Gallinari and check back later. I think they will. I hope I'm wrong.
Russell Westbrook at 4 to Seattle is interesting. There is no guarantee that a great college defender will be a stopper in the NBA. Michael Finley comes to mind. Westbrook hopes he will be as good Finley. With so many Freshmen chosen, I suspect that some will be gems and others will be total busts. I'm reminded of the 2001 Draft with high schoolers. Well, actually they were all busts in that one. Rose, Beasley, and Mayo (who was just traded to Memphis) will probably all be stars.
Two Freshmen who should have stayed in school are Bill Walker and Davon Jefferson. Had they stayed, both could have been stars for big conference schools next year. That could have possibly led to a lottery pick next year. Jefferson wasn't drafted. Walker was picked by Washington and then shipped to Boston. Assuming he makes the team, if he can cope with sitting on the bench for a couple of years, Boston might be the perfect place for Walker. Garnett, Pierce, and Allen will be good role models. Walker might be a sleeper.
A number of seniors that went late have the chance to contribute in the NBA and one might even be a star. D.J. White, Joey Dorsey, Kyle Weaver, Sonny Weems, Sean Singletary, Shan Foster, and Joe Crawford all fit the bill. Mario Chalmers and Chris Douglas-Roberts are two Juniors who played in the NCAA championship game that I expect big things from.
Georgetown had two players drafted. Roy Hibbert was picked by Toronto and is likely on his way to Indiana in a trade. I think he'll be Sam Bowie-like, which is not bad for the 17th pick. It's a freaking disaster however if it's the 2nd pick and before some guy named Michael Jordan. Patrick Ewing Jr. was picked by the Kings and belongs with the seniors group above. His heart will keep him in the league for a while. Look at Chuck Hayes, Karl Landry, and the glamour boy, Shane Battier. Ewing will follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately, Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas from George Mason weren't drafted. Best of luck fellas.
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