Knicks Pick A Rooster!
Danilo Gallinari or as he is best known in Italy as “The Rooster” was the number six pick in this year’s NBA Draft. As Gallinari being a international player many fans in the united states have not heard of him thus leading to the now annual undercard event to the draft of Knicks fans booing the team’s selection. The negative response of the crowd however did not rattle the 19 year old as he was supposedly warned beforehand by his father and new Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni.
The link between Gallinari and D’Antoni had been strong even before this draft’s workouts as D’Antoni wasa teammate and is friends with Gallinari’s father for years in Italy. This connection can mean one of two things as the reason for this draft pick as either being because D’Antoni has full knowledge of the skills that Gallinari posses and this may be a steal or he is just being a good friend and paying off an old debt (hey its the knicks anything is possible). The skills of Gallinari have been constantly hyped to make him appear as the next big thing to ever come from overseas and possibly be the savior for a franchise. It is amazing how the supposed “international experts” always seem to forget that yes even though most international players are incredible on the offensive end are still below average defenders and most have never played against the athleticism of the players that star here in America. I’ve been skeptical with international players since in my opinion its nothing more than a flip of a coin as to whether the player will be a star because to every Dirk Nowitzki there is a Frederic Weis (the knicks drafted him too).
D’Antoni has made a stand in trying to do whatever it takes to change this decrepit franchise and hopefully garner its 1st winning season in 7 years. If Gallinari is not effective from the start we may see many loyal Knicks fans counting down the days until “the mighty” Jay-Z (Hov) brings his Nets to Brooklyn with what they hope his best friend Lebron James (It’s The Roc). It could also be a miracle on 34th street as Gallinari leads the Knicks to NBA glory and uplifts a franchise from jokes and ruin to honor and prestige even leading to a possible Disney movie reenacting the remarkable run (I think Mark Wahlburg will be waiting by the phone for that one) . Either way I hope as a Knicks fan that this guy does make a positive change I mean a year from now inner city kids could be fighting each other over scuffed “Rooster” sneakers than some Jordan’s.(Ha Take That Nelly!)
* Highlights Of Gallinari In Italy
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