His quickness to me is much, much, much improved.

Re: Fields – how does an opposing coach game plan for him? With some rookies off to hot starts, you might say “make him go to his left” or “let him shoot, don’t let him drive” or “he never drives to the basket, play up on him” How do you slow down a hustle guy who grabs rebounds on both ends, has a nose for the ball and just really understands the game? It’s hard to see him becoming less effective due to adjustments by other teams, the only downside may be the 82 game schedule vs. college schedule.

If Gallo has a bad night the knicks lose…..And it’s just that simple. Everything that happens on the inside happens because they are scared to death of that man on the outside. If he doesn’t have it going everything else shuts down in a hurry. But when he is going strong this team is next to unbeatable. I really don’t see how it could be any other player. And that being said I love everything that Felton has done this year, but the knicks go as Gallo goes…..

Frank: Agree completely. I know it’s hard to be a pro basketball player and all, but I actually can’t see any real improvement since last year. I thought he worked on “his body” and “explosiveness”, but he looks exactly the same and it’s not clear that he is any different than last year. Contrast that with David Lee who seemed to pick up a new thing just about every offseason. FT shooting, then jump shooting, then passing/ball handling etc. I just worry that while Gallo’s handle is good and his first step is acceptable, he is completely unable to finish drives due to probably inherent lack of body control in traffic, thereby hoping the refs bail him out — that’ll work some nights and not other nights, especially come (hopefully) playoff time. His lack of body control/touch around the rim is really an issue — especially when compared to guys like McGrady, who can still finish when he gets to the basket on 0.3 legs. Not sure that is something that can be taught.  (Quote)

While I agree on everything else, I can’t label his first step acceptable. Scouts have been listing it as one of his big weaknesses since before he came into the league and he’s only marginally improved on it. A big reason why he’s been putting off soft shots is because he’s only barely beat his defender to the basket, but he also doesn’t go up strong, which you pointed out. His crappy first step also explains why he constantly gets beat on D.

Robert Silverman: The thing that could really elevate Gallo’s play is a mid-range game. Right now, his offense consists of threes and layups (or getting fouled and flopping like a decapitated chicken [pun intended] attempting a layup). A consistent mid-range jumper (like a certain German utilizes while fading away could/would make him an all-star)  (Quote)

I agree, but I think the weaknesses I pointed out before prevent him from having a strong mid-ranged game. People compared him to Nowitzski but he’s SO much stronger than Gallo, which allows him to post up enough to get that pretty fadeaway. Gallo can’t hope to have that type of shot. Another common way to get the open shot is the pick-and-pop, but he’s just too slow for that to be effective and his shot just isn’t good off the dribble. Last, he can spot up for the jumper – which, considering his height, he should be doing a lot – but his first step is so slow that his opponents smother him inside the arc, and he can’t get anything off. Since he’s too slow to beat them off the dribble, they step up and give him no room.

The only way he’s hitting midrange shots is when he’s left open after a penetration or a double team, and he’s made those so far.