Post Game Reports from  Mike  Slane NBA.com:

 

"A special kind of energy has followed the Cleveland Cavaliers ever since LeBron James entered the league in 2003. Add Shaquille O’Neal to the mix this season and they’re certainly one of the NBA’s biggest attractions. 

If everything goes according to plan, a similar buzz will emanate from The Garden sooner rather than later, due to an impressive young core highlighted by second-year forward Danilo Gallinari. The second year Italian star has already created excitement whenever he touches the ball. 

“We have to get to that point where the Knicks bring that energy and the Knicks are that attraction,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said before Friday’s 100-91 loss to the Cavs. “We’re not there yet obviously.” 

The Knicks, however, continue to show signs that they’re headed in the right direction with Gallinari leading the way.  

Playing in front of a national TV audience for the first time this season, Gallinari displayed his long-range shooting as he scored 17 points, nine of which came during a big fourth-quarter run that helped the Knicks cut an early 26-point deficit to eight with under four minutest to play. He was 4-for-8 from downtown. 

Gallinari has gained several new fans with his clutch shooting this season and he has already earned praise from some of the best players in the game, including James, who approached Gallinari before and after the game. 

“He told me to keep working hard, to keep doing my thing and to keep working on my back stretching and working on my strength,” Gallinari said. “It’s a good feeling and I think he respects me.” 

Gallinari, who is averaging 17.5 points after undergoing back surgery last season, has hit a 3-pointer in each of the Knicks’ six games this season and at least three in four. He is shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. His incredible jumper is one of the reasons why the Knicks think things will get turned around sooner than later. 

“We want to keep improving our young guys and getting our core better,” D’Antoni said. “I think we have a good start with Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.” 

Rookie Jordan Hill can also be added to that list. After playing only a couple minutes in the first game of the season, Hill played a career-high five minutes and scored a career-best six points on three jumpers. 

“It’s time I have to start playing him some,” D’Antoni said. “We have to start developing him little by little. We threw him out in the first half and I thought he was OK offensively. Defensively is where he needs to make big jumps.” 

Hill found himself matched up against James, but no one could have slowed him down in the 24 minutes."-By Mike Slane, nyknicks.com 

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