he 2022 offseason saw the Boston Celtics add two seasoned vets to the rotation.
First, the Celtics were able to pry Danilo Gallinari away from the Atlanta Hawks. Gallinari agreed to a two-year deal worth $13 million wit the C’s. On the other hand, Boston gave up Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, and a top 12 protected 2023 1st round pick to snag Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers.
Last year’s Celtics team came just two wins short of hoisting their 18th banner as a franchise. An 8-to-9 man rotation that came up big all season, fizzled out during the Finals. While star Jayson Tatum did not play close to what they needed; the bench guys got thoroughly outplayed five out of six games. The additions of Gallinari and Brogdon strengthens a rotation that often struggled to produce and hit quality looks.
While Brogdon gets most of the love as the main addition (rightfully so), Gallinari can be remarkably effective in spot minutes.
First, Gallinari brings an element off the bench the Celtics did not have last season. In just 25 minutes a game, Gallinari averaged about 12 points on 38% from three. Yes, he is a different type of player that doesn’t fit the switchy Celtics defense, but minutes will always be available for a guy as skilled as Galo. While not being a plus athlete, his creation in the post is nothing short of elite. Per BBall Index, Gallinari ranked in the 94th percentile in post-up impact per 75 possessions. His combination of stocky build and skill allows him to easily score over smaller defenders and shoot over guys his own size.
Here even against a tough defender like Jimmy Butler Galo is still too big and skilled. Proceeds to a quick turnaround jumper.
Galo also provides easy buckets to a Celtics offense that struggled to get them. Atlanta does a nice job noticing the mismatch entering it into Galo at the elbow. He barely has to jump to score over the smaller defender.
In addition to his post scoring, Galo is also a surprisingly impressive passer out of the post area. To go along with his effectiveness in the post, Galo is still a great pick and pop option. Last season he ranked in the 90th percentile in Pop Impact per 75 possessions. Atlanta continued to allow Gallinari to play to his strengths as he popped on 73% of the screens he set last season.
Here is the traditional pick and pop from Gallinari. Galo benefited from the gravity of Trae Young here of course as the Cavs leave a 38% 3-pt shooter wide open. Okoro chases Trae and recovers well to the shooter but Galo shoots right over him.
Overall, Gallinari is just a tough shot maker. Last year Galo ranked in the 92nd percentile in 3pt shot making per BBall Index. This stat measures a players proficiency shooting the three ball given their degree of difficulty. Difficulty is certainly the word to describe the bulk of Galo’s shots given he ranked in the bottom ten percentile on Openness Rating, 3-pt Shot Quality, and Percent of 3-pt attempts open. But to attest to his tough shot making ability he still shot amazing percentages. 38% from three, 42% on catch and shoots, and 48.6% on corner threes makes Galo a valuable shooter and one Celtics fans should enjoy watching.
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