Danilo Gallinari Works Out For Knicks

Hours after conducting a workout of six players at the Madison Square Garden Training Center on Friday, Knicks President, Basketball Operations, Donnie Walsh, Head Coach Mike D'Antoni and the rest of the Knicks brass reconvened to watch a solo session for Italian forward Danilo Gallinari.

"We did some post-up game, running game, running the floor and taking some shots," Gallinari said of his workout. "I just tried to do the best of whatever the coach asked of me. If he asked me to run I ran, if he asked me to slow down I slowed down, it depends on what he asked me. I'll do whatever the coach says. … To play in the NBA is a dream for me, like every child. For me, it's a dream that is coming true."

Last season, the 6-foot-8, 210-pounder won the Euroleague's Rising Star award -- an honor reserved for the best player under the age of 22 -- by averaging 14.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He scored 20 or more points four times, including a high of 27 against a world-class Maccabi Elite team.

In the Italian League as a teenager playing against men for Armani Jeans Milano, Gallinari averaged 17.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. He led his team in scoring, ranked second in rebounding and scored 20 or more points 11 times, including a high of 29 vs. Siviglia

Friday marked the second workout in two days for Gallinari, following a session on Thursday afternoon with the Nets. Afterward, the Italian star stressed his desire to play for either New York or New Jersey.

"New York and New Jersey are my favorite places to play, so my focus is on these two places," said Gallinari, who is making just his second trip to the United States for these workouts. "After the draft, we will see (what happens) … New York is similar to Milan. The way of the street, the buildings, it's similar to Milan. New Jersey is a little bit different. It's got big open spaces, and I like that.

"We've only focused on these two teams, but there is a possibility to play for other teams in the next few weeks. But this is my favorite city. … For me, it would be great. I don't have the words. For me it's a dream, so it would be great. To play in the NBA for New York would be simply incredible.""

It might seem that the Knicks have a special connection to Gallinari, because his father, Vittorio, played professional and roomed with D'Antoni in Italy. However, Friday's visit was only the second time Danilo Gallinari had ever met the Knicks coach.

"I met him one time some years ago," Gallinari said. "My father knows him well because he played with him for nine years in a row. … Yesterday we met and we talked some. Mike and my father told me some stories about the past. We didn't talk about basketball."

Despite not knowing D'Antoni well, Gallinari said playing for him would be advantageous.

"By playing so many years in Europe, he knows both of these worlds," said Gallinari. "(He knows) the European world and the American world. So I think he's got the experience to know what it's like coming from this side."

Vittorio Gallinari, who attended the workout, agreed with his son, but for a different reason. He thinks Danilo would thrive in his friend and former teammate's system.

"I saw Mike coaching with Phoenix," said the elder Gallinari, "and I really like his system because he spreads the court. He likes players with talent, good skill, and I think that my son would be the perfect player for his type of style."

Vittorio said he first recognized the signs that D'Antoni would be a successful coach during their playing days together.

"In Italy he was like a coach on the court," he said. "He was our playmaker and everyone followed him, so I was quite sure that he would be a good coach because he understands the player. He knows how to use the player, and I think that he can do a very, very good job here in New York to put together all the players as a team."

When asked how his son would adjust to the NBA game, Vittorio said he was unsure at first, but became confident that he could handle it.

"To tell you the truth, I really don't know exactly the level of play in the NBA," he said. "But I know the Italian level and the European level, and he can play there. He already played 30-35 minutes a game there, and I know that every time he's gone up a level, he always feels confident. I feel like if he comes to the NBA, he will be able to adjust.

"He has talent and skill. When he goes on the court, he knows exactly what to do at that moment. In Europe, he played a very tough game. He played with foreign American players, some Yugoslavian players who are 30, 32 years old. And when they need two points, need to foul or if it's a tight game, they get the ball to him because it's something he has in his mind. He knows exactly what to do during the game."

Danilo himself is confident that he has the tools to not only be a successful NBA player, but as dominant one.

"In both the European Championship and Italian Championship with my team, I had many responsibilities," he said. "I also thank my team, my coaches and my family because I won some prizes, so I take confidence with this. I hope I can play like this here."

Despite his success in Europe, he acknowledges that it will likely take some time for him to adjust to the North American game.

"I really don't know because I have only watched the games, and it is not the same as playing the game," said Gallinari. "I've always been in Europe, and I've played everything from point guard to forward, and I can bring that over here … I understand the European game, but I have to prove that I understand the NBA game. I would have to improve every part of my game for sure, so I will (do) that."