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Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Tue Mar 23 11:50am EDT

From the makers of Bad Idea Jeans: Gallinari guarding 'Melo

By Trey Kerby

Want to see some scoring Tuesday night? Sure you do. In that case, tune in to the Knicks vs. Nuggets game where Carmelo Anthony(notes) is sure to light up the scoreboard, as he'll be guarded by Danilo Gallinari.

Yes, that Carmelo Anthony, the one who is third in the NBA in scoring. And yes, that Danilo Gallinari(notes), who is not a great defender. Or even a good defender. Excellent hair, though.

But what kind of crazy person would want Gallinari to guard Melo? Danilo Gallinari, apparently.

We interrupt March Madness to bring you some March Insanity, courtesy of the Knicks.

How else to describe the decision to have Danilo Gallinari guard Denver's Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday at the Garden? Anthony already has hung 50 points on the Knicks this season - more than LeBron James(notes), Kobe Bryant(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes), Kevin Durant(notes) or any other NBA player.

Here's the kicker: Not exactly known as a defender, Gallinari asked for the assignment.

"I like to play against the best because that's the only way to improve," he said Monday after practice in Greenburgh. "It's a part of learning. It's a part of trying to understand where I am and what I have to do get to that level and what they have more than me. I like the challenge."

On one hand, big up yourself, Danilo. Challenging yourself is the best way to become a better player. If you're going to be a big part of New York's rebuilding, then you need to show you can bring it offensively and defensively. Kudos for stepping up.

On the other hand, yikes. The last time the Nuggets and Knicks faced off, 'Melo put up 50 points. And that was back when they still had Jared Jeffries(notes), who at least liked playing defense. 'Melo in the Garden, against a sub-par defender — we might be looking at a season high in the NBA.

Then again, if things really get out of hand, there's always the Isiah Thomas method. It stopped 'Melo once before.

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