Denver Nuggets: Is Danilo Gallinari’s S/I Ranking Fair?

Feb 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone helps forward Danilo Gallinari (8) up from the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone helps forward Danilo Gallinari (8) up from the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Feb 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone helps forward Danilo Gallinari (8) up from the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone helps forward Danilo Gallinari (8) up from the court during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Nuggets have an incredible talent in Danilo Gallinari, and we will divulge in if Gallo got a fair ranking in S/I’s top 100 rankings.

This quoted material was written by writer Rob Mahoney from Sport’s Illustrated about Gallinari:

"A player does not shoot 8.2 free throws per game (fourth-most in the NBA) by accident. It’s to Gallinari’s credit that he was able to so consistently bait defenders into his space or push them back onto their heels and out of sound defensive position. The resulting free throws served to augment Gallinari’s scoring across the board—in the post, out of isolations, in the pick-and-roll, driving off of spot-ups—in a way that reinforced his versatility. He might not be the quickest, the strongest, or even the most skilled. Gallo just has enough guile to take his advantages for all they’re worth and churn out an efficient 19.5 points in an oversized role."

S/I’s ranking for Gallinari was 47. In my opinion, this is a fair ranking for him. Being injury strike during his career definitely does not bode well with his ranking. Gallinari will most likely be asked to command a fierce Denver offense.

The Denver Nuggets have quite the young talent, and it was encouraging for them to see a star like Gallinari refuse a trade last season. This could be the beginning of something special in Denver, and a few short years, Denver will see many, many more players on this list.

Leave a comment on who you think the next Denver Nugget will be to crack the top 50.

must read: The Denver Nuggets: Shooting Guard Outlook

Oh, and like us on Facebook!