Despite being retired for the last two seasons, Danilo Gallinari made his voice heard all across NBA media earlier this week. He stated:
"I'm probably the biggest what-if guy in the history of the game."
While Gallo's claim might not be the most veridical as an absolute, his stint with the Hawks during their legendary 2021 underdog run certainly helps to place him in the conversation.
Without Gallinari, the 2021 Hawks don't make it to the ECF
Gallinari's role in the first round versus the Julius Randle-led Knicks was less as a scorer, but more as a sizable wing that could hold the glass for the undersized Hawks.
Randle and Robinson anchored a large New York squad, capable of bullying opponents on a nightly basis. Thanks to Gallo's plus size at the 3-4, Atlanta was able to hold on and move on to Philly in a comfortable (but wild nonetheless) five games.
The Sixers were another story entirely. Gallinari caught fire from range, averaging 15 ppg on 46-44-96 efficiency splits. Gallo was able to stretch a staunch Philly defense, opening the floor up for Trae Young to push the dagger straight through their hearts.
Gallinari's performance against Philly was a flashback to his younger days - the times where he's likely chiefly referring to with his "what if" statement.
Gallo's run with Atlanta was just the icing on the cake to a strong career
If you didn't grow up watching Gallo thrive in the NBA as the 1B scoring option for the Knicks and the 1A for the Nuggets in the early-mid 2010s, you missed out.
Gallinari was a part of a dynamic Knicks engine that featured four 15+ ppg scorers, led by David Lee. Here, Gallo began to carve out a substantial role as a volume-scoring wing, even whilst surrounded by multiple other capable scoring engines.
In 2011, Danilo was sent to the Nuggets as a part of the Carmelo Anthony deal, where he blossomed into an efficient long-range sniper that could also double as a switchable defender with potent athleticism.
Even after Gallo's ACL injury in 2013, he still helped to lead the young Jokic nuggets to relevancy in a loaded Western Conference, averaging nearly 20ppg in back-to-back seasons. Given what was very arguably his best scoring output occurring post-ACL injury, it's not ridiculous to wonder how good Gallo would have been at his peak if he remained at the summit of his athletic abilities a shred longer.
That said, Gallinari's career should be looked back on fondly, especially by Hawks fans - without The Rooster, Atlanta's most exciting playoff run in many, many years would certainly have been cut short.
While I may not personally agree with the claim that he's a greater "what if" than the likes of Derrick Rose, Gordon Hayward, or Paul George, I can't help but agree with Gallo that he's at least potently near the top of that conversation.
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