Danila Gallinari (photo. Matt Brown)

The buzz downstairs in the Westin Hotel in Times Square is that Madison Square Garden could very well be up in arms later tonight, as it looks like the Knicks are very seriously entertaining Danilo Gallinari at No. 6.

We got some times with the Italian superstar yesterday, who had no problem coming straight out and saying that New York is where he wants to be.

Dime: People have said that you will only play for the Knicks. Is that true?
Gallinari: New York is for sure my favorite place to work today, but I will play for any team. It is for the reason that Mike D’Antoni knows European basketball and he knows what I’ve got to change and what I’m got to do about my game for the NBA for sure.

Dime: Do you have a personal relationship with D’Antoni?
Gallinari: We had a dinner – my father, Mike D’Antoni, and I talked some about basketball, about the situation to play. Mike D’Antoni would be happy to have me. They told me some stories about the past, and that’s it. We don’t talk so much about basketball. We talk about their experience – they play 9 years in a row together, so much that they can write a book about it.

Dime: You’ve been really successful in the Italian league – isn’t it risky leaving all of that success for the U.S.?
Gallinari: There’s always a risk. But we will see, I want to catch the experience. European and Italian basketball I know, but I want to know some American basketball. I want to see if I can do it. Some teammates have played in the NBA and they say that I just have to be myself and play like I used to play in Europe and I will not have so many problems.

Dime: You’re the man in Italian basketball – is it weird for you to come into this media room and have everyone flock to Beasley?
Gallinari: It’s the same, I leave a normal game surrounded with journalists. It does not change for me to feel like ‘the man’ or not ‘the man,’ I am good to talk to journalist but happy to be on the side.

Dime: How do you feel about the physical adjustment to the NBA? Can you keep up with the physical aspects and the bigger court?
Gallinari: I’m not sure is the truth. I’m sure I will work. But there is much uncertain. I’m very different from Andrea Bargnani. We are different positions and we have different game.