Danilo Gallinari in Italy, Next Stop Pepsi Center
By Len Nunes
Denver Nuggets small forward Danilo Gallinari (8) Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
From the Denver Nuggets website, Danilo Gallinari is taking his talents to Italy and the “NBA Basketball Without Borders” program. As noted in the article, Gallo was a participant of the program in 2003. It is always nice to see an athlete go back to his own humble beginnings and take on a leadership role. Danilo Gallinari also has Nuggets assistant coach Melvin Hunt with him in Italy. One has to believe Mr. Gallo and Mr. Hunt will talk at length about plays and strategies and Brian Shaw. This time spent together between Gallo and Hunt is very important to help Gallo vicariously learn about Coach Shaw and his tendencies.
It is also noted in the article that Danilo Gallinari is hoping to get some training in with the Italian national team. I googled the roster and the only names I recognize are Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani. If Bargnani also participates in training with the national team, hopefully it does not over-inflate Gallo’s ego as he constantly beats Bargs to the rim (zing!). All joking aside, the main hope for Gallo is for him to enjoy a setback free summer.
Do you remember the last time Danilo Gallinari played a full game for the Denver Nuggets? April 3rd, 2013 against Randy Foye and the Utah Jazz. Gallo’s line from that game?
"6-10 from the field, 2-4 from beyond the arc, 7-8 from the free throw line"
Gallinari is a legitimate threat to score from anywhere on the court. The only other Denver Nuggets who can make that claim are point guards Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson. Denver has yet to see to Robinson & Gallo connect on the floor. I look forward to having Danilo Gallinari back in the Nuggets starting lineup. So should you!