New Orleans Pelicans: The 3 Most Underappreciated Players in the NBA
Danilo Gallinari: Power Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the surprise teams this season, as they currently sit in the 5th seed after trading their two best players to the Clippers and Rockets.
The narrative after the trade was that Chris Paul was next and the Thunder were rebuilding. Someone forgot to tell the Thunder.
They were 40-24 heading into the hiatus and ranked high on the list of teams no one wanted to see in the playoffs.
Their three point guard lineup featuring Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder has gotten most of the attention but people often forget that Danilo Gallinari is also part of that lineup, which was the best overall in the NBA this season.
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In fact, Gallinari is the real reason this lineup is so effective, as his ability to stretch the floor opens up lanes for his guards to penetrate. If defenders want to sag to try and stop the penetration of Paul, Alexander and Schroder, Gallinari is there to make them pay.
His two-man game with Paul has become one of the most unstoppable offensive weapons in the NBA. Here they are working over the New Orleans Pelicans early in the season:
Gallinari is averaging 19.2 points (second highest of his career), 5.5 boards (second highest) and 2.1 assists for one of the best teams in the league.
You’d never know it though, as the three guards and even Steven Adams, get more attention than Gallinari, who is quietly the best stretch-four in the game.
He will get a lot of attention in free agency, possibly from the New Orleans Pelicans, who could use his ability to stretch the floor and maybe even run pick-and-rolls with the next guy.