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Because it's a nickname? Chicago wouldn't make a "Windy City" anytime soon.

Because I see him as being similar to Nowitzki, and seeing Nowitzki struggled too as a rookie, they have similarities that you didn't see in your League Pass. They have so much similarities, being the difference is Gallinari is a bit quicker off the dribble and Nowitzki is better with the post game than Gallinari would probably ever be. And they have comparable stats as rooks: Nowitzki: 8.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.0 apg, 40.6 FG%, 20.6 3P%, 20.4 mpg Gallinari: 6.1 ppg, 2.0 rog, 0.5 apg, 44.8 FG%, 44.4 3P%, 14.7 mpg Note he played nearly 6.0 mpg less than Nowitzki did... a significant amount of minutes for any rookie trying to prove himself, especially international ones. And obviously the injuries, he only played 28 games compared to Nowitzki's 47 games. Yet, he still shot much better from the field and especially from three pt, it's to show that despite all the setback he has the right focus and did not let obstacles get to him. Gallinari also dominated his league before he came to the NBA, that's why he got drafted as high as he did. Many saw Nowitzki as a darkhorse to win the ROY, but needless to say he disappointed in his rookie year... probably put doubt to Barkley's mind too. Those guys you compared Gallinari to didn't have the tools necessary to succeed in the L. Jasikevicius doesn't have the size or as a guard doesn't even have ball handling and only moderate passing. Herrmann is an international player that plays in a team concept and not an NBA one on one player like Gallinari can take his man one on one. That game against Magic when they went to him late in the game, when he got the ball, he's not like some other bust rooks who's "oh [expletive] I got the ball, now what should I do with it... Call timeout like Chris Webber? Cry?" He just let the game come to him and play. He doesn't seem caught up with anything but that every single possession he gets the ball to make decisions. From there, I know he doesn't "have the makings to be a bust"... he definitely has the talent but he also has the right mindset to succeed.

The range on his shot is unbelievable and he does it effortlessly. And he plays pretty good on ball defense. But on offense, he is a pretty one dimensional player (can't really pass or facilitate). I would say his ceiling is a 23 ppg player.

Did you think of that way about Nowitzki after his rookie season too? Because he played a lot more minutes and games than Gallinari did. Horry doesn't have the one-on-one moves, ballhandling to be the go-to guy in half court sets. He was a clutch, catch and shoot guy. Most of his clutch shots were created by a passer. Gallinari is capable of taking his man off the dribble, whether it's to the hoop or shooting over them. I find it a bit immature to judge a player's career after his rookie season where he got hurt and did not get to play much. And considering he is not a stiff by any means, and you look and compare him to one of the stiffest players in NBA history noone talks about (Korolev). He's not a Tskitishvili who can't get his shots off, who can't put down the ball without committing a turnover. He has the right focus and mentality. Obviously it's my observation to come up with the idea he's going to be a franchise... you have your observation he wouldn't. Fair enough.

I see him as a go to guy at the end of games, not a penetrating & playmaking Hedo type, although he's a good passer, but a go to guy ala Nowitzki. Fine what should I put in my sig?

Real you can't compare Gallinari with that stiff. That's a true stiff. No decision making skills, no post game, no defense? I am not saying you're a poor analyzer but this says a lot you didn't really watch the Knicks and didn't really get to watch him play. He is an above average passer, he has a above average court vision. He is a very good defender in terms of staying in front of his man and hustling. You don't really judge a baller's NBA success by his athleticism or rookie stats. Many thought Nowitzki was a bust after his rookie year. But to those who did not watch Gallinari and only looked at stats, no wonder, obviously it's the stats of bust. But he doesn't play like one. Watch him this season. But Gordon doesn't possess the speed, change of direction, and ballhandling necessary to get to the rim at will like Wade does. Much of Wade's success is getting to the rim and generates free throws. His passing ability is not at the same level as Wade's. Being a franchise is not one dimensional. Those who do are quickly forgotten, e.g. Redd. I'll give Gordon this, a more explosive Ben Gordon minus the clutch accomplishments. (not because of their name sakes)

The biggest loser who literally loses games is Shareef Abdur Rahim. Poor guy played 10+ seasons and only got to taste the playoffs once with Portland. Hawks were playoffs team and then when he got traded there for Gasol they became laughing stock. Kings were playoffs team and then he got traded there and they became jokes. Then Portland went to playoffs in his first season and then the next year and on? Nothing until Roy came. He's not only the biggest loser, but he brought curse with him. But he's not a loser you love to hate, he's a good guy. The loser you love to hate is a guy who contradicts himself like AI. He says all the nice things like the thing he wants is a championship, but when teams want him to take lesser role so they can win, he forgets all that and we all can see what type of guy he really is. When he said he better retire than come off the bench, did he forget what he said about wanting to win a ring? I'm sure if he's willing to take a 6th man role, contenders would line up to sign him. Instead, he's talking about going to Memphis, Clippers, Bobcats just because he still wants to be the top gun. He needs to realize this is not 2000 but 2010.

Gordon is an undersized SG who can score. He's one dimensional. No undersized SG is a franchise unless you're AI 10 years ago.

Didn't Mills break his leg in summer league or something? I kind of like Cunningham, I think he will be decent in the L.

Balkman will get more minutes for us this season that's for sure.

Clippers (hate because everything about them sucks) - Blake Griffin Lakers (hate because they are good) - Andrew Bynum

It's a typical teenager to adulthood syndrome where they feel the world is against them. It's what most people experience. Right now, I think he's at the stage where he feels the world is watching him, and he has no escape. He has to realize he's not the only NBA player who faces this, most NBA players do. But they respond to it differently.

I didn't like him before the draft but as the season was ending, I became a supporter. I think that's just his demeanor, doesn't mean he's a bad guy, but doesn't mean he can't be better. Whether he wants to play defense, or just wants to prove to his coaches and doubters he can play D, he's shown it. I believe Riley and Spoelstra also grew enamored of him as the season was ending. Hopefully it's not a mental breakdown thing where he keeps spiralling down. This season will be huge for him... will he be a "I don't care" player or "I understand why the Heat picked me, let's make this work" player.

This... 30+% is too generous. I see a little world map there, did China and Europe vote too?

Who can he be compared to NBA 1 pick busts? Kwame Brown? Olowokandi? Or is he decent like Joe Smith?

I would still pick Gallinari he has potential to be a franchise. Anybody who follows Knicks closely should know this.

I think it's ok to switch off the back as long as when you turn it on again, you switch the back on, and wait for a few minutes before you turn on the console. This way you don't get YLOD.

I rarely followed NFL, but is he good? Does he live to expectation as a no 1 pick?

Because of Roy's brain, he has the edge. Melo plays you different. If you're Luke Walton, he doesn't bother to defend and get drained a three in his face. If you're Kobe then he wants to impress the world, "hey I'm trying to stop the best player in the game, he gives me challenge to play defense, now shut up about me not playing defense." It's all evident in the playoffs with Melo leaving Walton wide open or playing half defense on him time and time again... in the elimination Game 6 etc. But when he's on Kobe, he played him as if he's Bruce Bowen. You don't underestimate opponents no matter who you are. In terms of game maturity, thought process, Roy has him by far... not even close. When Ron Artest said Roy was the toughest player he's ever had to guard, he's right, not because of the PPG, but because Roy precisely knew when to attack him and how to, either score or pass. If Melo had Roy's brain, he'd be in the same sentence as his draft class mates LeBron and Wade.

I hope it's Denver, getting either Battier or Landry would be great.

Real, I think no team wants him because of his non existent defense and bad shots (constantly taking shots over defenders) and decision making (passing when he's supposed to take a shot and taking a shot when he's supposed to pass) kill. Like there are many instances in Denver when he and Melo on a break instead of dropping it to a wide open Melo he takes all the way. I know he has the ability to take and make tough shots but team wins as a whole not an individual. Opposing teams see this as a team that is easy to attack because it is undisciplined. Being undisciplined makes insconsitency, inconsistency = some nights you're unbelievable some nights you're total crap. He also likes to dribble into his own teammates' "zone" and forces them out of his way... Kobe does this too at times to create his offense but very very seldom. He is committed to his team's system, Iverson on the other hand is committed to Iverson. No team can make him... If at this stage of his career he has showing in Detroit like he did, it's embarassing. It really says a lot about him as a character that he doesn't really care about winning but his own self. All his quotes saying he better retire than coming off the bench, speaks loud about himself. I really lost respect for him for saying he's all heart and about winning, but when the time passes and teams ask him to take a secondary role for the betterment of the team, he totally ditches that mentality. AI is about winning when he is the vocal point, when he is not, winning is too insignificant compared to his role. I have more respect for Marbury for his stint in Boston, really walking the talk than just talk. He looked to pass and was reduced to a catch and shoot player, but he did all that without complaining and proved he was a team player he said he was going to be.

^You haven't signed Nate yet...

I've never seen Ron catch a ball and shoot. He's never been a catch and shoot type of player. Before he launches a shot, he always dribbles first. That's his comfort zone. Ariza was a player who can catch the ball and shoot without dribbling. He was perfect because if you dribble more you will let the defenders gain space to contest shots. Or at least show me a clip where Ron shoots without dribbling after receiving the ball.

I would pick Beasley too. He is a sensational scorer and is actually coachable. He doesn't let not starting and criticism of his defense from media and his own coach get to his head... but he gets the message and keeps improving. If he keeps his head above his shoulders he should be a lock for a superstar. Grizzlies need a superstar power, if not Mayo then Beasley is a very good consolation pick.

^True but I hope his own infatuation with his alma ater North Carolina will make him play Lawson a lot of minutes more than Carter. I don't have a problem with Carter playing 10-12 minutes, I have a problem when he plays 25 minutes. Carter as a third string PG is good