Danilo Gallinari Has Some Surprises Up His Sleeve For 2009-10
Danilo Gallinari is still kind of a mystery to the basketball world. Because of a back injury, the 21-year-old forward was limited to just 28 games during his rookie campaign but he showed some flashed of promise near the end of the season. Word out of Knicks camp is Gallinari has been impressive not only as a shooter, but as a distributor and creator. Entering his second season in the League, big things are expected out of the Rooster this year. We were able to talk a little Knicks with Danilo at the EA Sports NBA Live 10 release party on Tuesday.
Dime: How did you spend your offseason?
DG: Until late July, I’ve been staying here. I had the surgery in April so I stayed here to recover from my injury. After I was feeling good, I spent August in Italy with my family and I came back in the beginning of September to start to workout again.
Dime: Is there one part of your game you tried to improve this summer?
DG: I tried to work on everything especially on my body because I just had surgery so most important thing is to get your body back. So that’s what I was concentrating on.
Dime: We’ve seen you do pull the God Shammgod crossover before in the summer league. Do you plan on breaking out any other crazy moves this season?
DG: It’s a surprise. Everybody will see (laughs).
Dime: What was it like playing in New York City for your rookie year?
DG: It’s just unbelievable. Especially for a guy like me that I come overseas, from a different world and I’ll be looking at the Knicks players, the Knicks history and NBA games. They’d only show it once a month. Being here is unbelievable for me. It’s a great feeling and I will love every day of it.
Dime: This is your second season and also coach’s second season with the Knicks. What’s been the difference between last year’s training camp and this year’s?
DG: We already know him, so we already know each other. We know what he wants from us so we are doing the right things. We had a good training camp I think and we are almost ready, so hopefully we can do a better record than last year.
Dime: What is your take on the rookies, Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas?
DG: I have a positive feeling on them because I think they’re pretty good players. They are already fitting with this team and they will be important for this season because we have a longer bench. We will not have the same problem as we sometimes had last year where we lost close games. They’re good.
Dime: Is there anybody who has been sticking out to you in training camp and preseason?
DG: I think everybody has been good. There’s not going to be a lot of surprise, we just have to do a better record of last year. We are just looking at the playoffs.
Dime: Are you happy to have Nate Robinson and David Lee re-sign with the team?
DG: Yeah, I’m so happy to have them back. Like I said, we already have a good chemistry, so we still have them and they’re really good players. They’re smart players. I mean you know Nate, when he wants to get going, it’s impossible to stop him. I’m happy for them and I’m happy they’re back.
Dime: What do you expect out of yourself this year?
DG: Out of myself, I expect to be an important player for this franchise for this year and hopefully for the future. I want to help the team win.
How good do you think Danilo Gallinari will be this season?
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DIMEMag.
Follow Gerald Narciso on Twitter at @Gerald_Narciso.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
-->
October 9th, 2009 at 10:54 am
That's whats up says:
His biggest surprise would be PLAYING TIME
October 9th, 2009 at 11:00 am
abpin says:
I’m not a Knick fan at all… but I’m kinda tired of them losing so much the past couple (almost 10) years. I wanna see them win some games & bring the excitement back to the garden.
All that said, I don’t know if these group of guys can do it on their own. They need a superstar. Looks like one more year til that happens.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am
control says:
Good job Dime, way to interview the kid, and then pay him back by putting a picture of him looking like he’s about to suck on a dick. Did he specifically request the gayest looking pic possible or something?
October 9th, 2009 at 11:44 am
dial up says:
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
October 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
That’s a pretty nice move gotta start practicing that one.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
king ralf says:
gogo danilo for next but more successfull dirk =)
October 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
life-p says:
nice move..
October 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
That's whats up says:
hey control
how ’bout we call him Daniblow?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
control says:
That’s whats up
That’s a perfect name, until he gets off the Knicks at least.
I was thinking, any picture where he’s wearing a Knicks jersey is going to make him look like a douche bag on the prowl for some cock…so I guess it ain’t the kid’s fault.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
N C says:
I thought that move looked awkward until they zoomed in on it … it was actually really hot!
October 9th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Dime Magazine says:
This is Gerald. Check this video out too. Around the 2:50 mark. He’s a pretty good passer for his size. I think people will be surprised with his overall game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utY45rfx8no
October 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
BRUCE says:
His back then his neck. My neck, my back!
October 9th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
jace says:
im kinda excited to see what they bring this year. dannilo? im not sure what kind of player he’ll be this year tho.. didnt play a lot of the first year soo i expect a bunch of rookie type mistakes. hes a solid shooter tho.. and if they just keep running.. he’s gonna be open. soo he’ll be effective.. but i dont expect him to see more than like 15-20 mins a game.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
doc says:
Yall call that move the Shammgod in NY?We called that the Pooh Allen in Philly growing up.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
doc says:
I think he can be nice one day.That move old as shit though yall just peeping that?Where yall from?It dont een work in Philly.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
AL says:
well it worked on the players in that game
October 9th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Helluva player.
I hope he’ll stay healthy, the kid is REALLY good.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
knicks fan33 says:
I’ve been reading the knicks preview and wasnt inpressed the knicks will be better this year with everyone in training camp and mike d as the coach he is a genius juts think when nash was in dallas ifi wood have told u he was gonna be league mvp over the likes of kobe ai lebron shaq u wood have told me I was crazy let alone win it back to back diantoni makes players better barbosa diaw joe johnson these were mediocre players b4 diantoni got a hold of them so my sugestion is watch out for the knicks