Gallinari Won't Scrimmage Until Next Week
Posted: 10/20/2008 3:46:00 AM
Source: New York Post
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Rookie Danilo Gallinari finally looked like part of the team at yesterday's open practice before 1,200 at Pace, doing stretching and running exercises with the club. But he still won't scrimmage or do contact drills with the team until next week.
Team president Donnie Walsh would like to avoid sending him to Reno of the Developmental League in November to get in game shape but D'Antoni knows how tough it will be.
"He's definitely behind, never played in the NBA," D'Antoni said. "He's still getting used to eating hamburgers instead of pasta."
D'Antoni still thinks he can make the rotation eventually. "I expect him to battle for it and in a couple of months he should be battling for it," said D'Antoni.
marc.berman@nypost.com
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... 4470.story
Knicks uncertain about practice for Gallinari
BY ARTHUR STAPLE | arthur.staple@newsday.com
October 20, 2008
Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari
Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari missed all of training camp with a bulging disc in his back and he isn't likely to practice for at least a few more days. (AP Photo)
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - When the subject of the Knicks' first-round pick comes up, Mike D'Antoni has been reduced to jokes.
Asked if he'd checked with Danilo Gallinari yesterday to see if the young Knick might be ready to do some practicing, D'Antoni cracked: "Yeah, we check his pulse every day. He's still breathing."
The new coach doesn't have much other material to work with regarding Gallinari, who didn't do anything other than shoot a few uncontested baskets during yesterday's open practice for 1,200 fans at Pace University.
D'Antoni had the day designed as a light workout anyway, with back-to-back preseason games coming up at New Jersey tonight and against the Celtics at Madison Square Garden tomorrow. But that just means at least two more days until Gallinari can be cleared to practice. A bulging disc in his back has kept him out for the entire preseason.
D'Antoni said adjusting to the Knicks' system is just one of the new things for the 20-year-old Italian. "He's definitely behind," the coach said, "but he's also getting used to hamburgers instead of pasta. It takes time."
Post edited.
