I've been under the weather the last couple of days so this will have to be a shorter version of what I planned for the end of the week. If I get better over the weekend, I should have a longer piece up on Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, some thoughts and links:

*  Danilo Gallinari has become a growing source of concern, with terrible numbers since the all-star break: 15 of 47 FGs, 4 of 23 3 pointers, and in the 3 games since the big trade, he's been especially invisible with single digit contributions in points in each game; he's been notable mainly for hustle on the defensive end and some good work on the defensive boards. It's understandable that he would have trouble finding his way in a revamped offense with several new players, but even before the trade, his inability to assert himself on the offensive end has been evident for a while.

In fairness to Gallo, 3 of the 4 teams the Knicks have played since the break are exactly the types of teams that give him fits: long defensive teams that guard the perimeter well. Taking away the two players splitting up point guard duties all season (Duhon being benched, Robinson being traded), and replacing them with very ball dominant (Sergio) or shot happy (House) guards is going to change the rhythm of an offense significantly. (Yes Nate was just as shot happy as Eddie, but he at least knew to look for Gallo some of the time)

I'm working on a longer post about where Gallo may fit in the "new" offense in the future, but the most striking part about McGrady's arrival pertaining to Gallo's play is how effortlessly playmaking comes to T-Mac, in his ability to see the floor, manage double teams and traps, and finding cutters and open shooters. Before the season, many Knick fans (myself included) imagined that Gallo could be a similar type of playmaker -- not nearly as gifted or athletic as T-Mac of course, but still useful based on the limited evidence of last year's games where Gallo showed a flair for distributing the ball in the limited chances he got. Gallo, however, is still moving along slowly in developing two parts of his game -- the ability to score inside the 3 point line, and the ability to create shots for teammates when opponents are focused on him. He stops looking for the ball at times, and when he does have it and his primary option isn't available, he settles for the most conservative alternative. I find Lee and Chandler's turnovers maddening frequently, but at least they're trying to create something -- Gallo's play has been far too inert by comparison.

The remaining 36 games have to be a better showcase for Gallo's development. Some of that falls on Gallo's new teammates to find him, but much more of that, I would argue, falls on Gallo at this point to make himself known and relevant beyond the spot-up jumper. The coach has called him out recently, with ample justification.



Gallinari's shot chart since the All-Star Break, courtesy NBA hotspots


* By all accounts, it looks like Joe Johnson will be a major free agent target of the Knicks this summer. Why fans should be very concerned part 1, and part 2. I happen to like JJ a lot, but this is precisely the sort of risk that could be very damaging to the Knick long term prospects -- a likely max deal for an aging wing, with a new CBA on the horizon.

*  With the Knicks' season all but technically over, the attention has gone to crafting all the scenarios for using the Knicks' cap space. This piece by Christopher Reina at RealGM is a good start, though I look forward to future pieces from everyone regarding more creative options for the summer beyond Lebron. The most unnerving aspect of all the pieces I've read so far is how the most desirable options all hinge on Lebron, and how many ways the Knicks could fall short if he stays with Cleveland.

*  Very good summary -- from Houston's point of view -- of what their options are with their acquired assets and existing assets after the trade. Some of the moves they make, particularly with New York's 2011 pick, can strongly impact the Knicks' pursuit of free agents, and it's worth a read regardless given they're one of the most well-run front offices in the league. From the same site, a look back on when T-Mac burnt his bridges with Houston fans.

*  A look back at one of the five most essential books a basketball fan can read: Rick Telander's Heaven Is a Playground. I just re-read it last summer, and the book still gives me chills with its piercing, yet empathetic look at basketball on the fringe in New York's inner city. I may have to get the new edition anyway, for the photos -- I always wondered what many of the protagonists looked like beyond the few fuzzy black and white photos printed in previous editions.

*  Zach Lowe of CelticsHub with a very nice tribute to Eddie House's time with the Celtics.

* Finally, there is a game tonight with the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center, and it should be fun watching two teams that looked so different a few weeks ago compete with their new patchwork lineups. The Wizards have played much better with all the drama seemingly excised after the recent giveaways (sorry, trades) of Jamison and Butler, and the increased playing time for Blatche (who has given the Knicks fits in the past). The last two games between these teams have been ugly, unartful routs (one for each side), but I'm hoping for a more entertaining, closely contested game tonight.