Syfo-Dyas
08-20-2008, 11:05 AM
By MARC BERMAN
The Italian Stallion's back is still not 100 percent.
Still resting an injured back he suffered during summer league in Las
Vegas last month, KnicksNew York Knicks first-round pick Danilo
Gallinari has withdrawn from the Italian National Team, which kicks
off today its Eurobasket Qualifier tournament vs. Serbia.
According to Gallinari's father, Vittorio, his 6-10 Italian prodigy
will sit out all the games so he can be fully healthy when the Knicks
kick off training camp in their new site Sept. 30 in Saratoga. Italy
did not qualify for the 2008 Games so it must start the process of
making it in 2012.
A source said Gallinari made the decision on his own, though the
Knicks are relieved he is not playing and are appreciative considering
they know how much playing for the Italian National Team means to him.
Gallinari played just one summer-league game, injuring his back in his
lone contest, after getting knocked around by Cleveland's Tractor
Traylor. Gallinari sat out the final four games, raising questions
about his durability for his rookie season.
The Knicks announced only Gallinari had sustained a sore back and was
not more specific. Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he
can't comment on Gallinari's injury because of HIPPA laws.
However, Knicks brass believes Gallinari showed enough offensive
versatility to make the rotation this season and believes he will get
stronger by camp. His selection at No. 6 led directly to the club
ridding itself of 2006 first-rounder Renaldo BalkmanRenaldo Balkman .
marc.berman@nypost.com
The Italian Stallion's back is still not 100 percent.
Still resting an injured back he suffered during summer league in Las
Vegas last month, KnicksNew York Knicks first-round pick Danilo
Gallinari has withdrawn from the Italian National Team, which kicks
off today its Eurobasket Qualifier tournament vs. Serbia.
According to Gallinari's father, Vittorio, his 6-10 Italian prodigy
will sit out all the games so he can be fully healthy when the Knicks
kick off training camp in their new site Sept. 30 in Saratoga. Italy
did not qualify for the 2008 Games so it must start the process of
making it in 2012.
A source said Gallinari made the decision on his own, though the
Knicks are relieved he is not playing and are appreciative considering
they know how much playing for the Italian National Team means to him.
Gallinari played just one summer-league game, injuring his back in his
lone contest, after getting knocked around by Cleveland's Tractor
Traylor. Gallinari sat out the final four games, raising questions
about his durability for his rookie season.
The Knicks announced only Gallinari had sustained a sore back and was
not more specific. Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he
can't comment on Gallinari's injury because of HIPPA laws.
However, Knicks brass believes Gallinari showed enough offensive
versatility to make the rotation this season and believes he will get
stronger by camp. His selection at No. 6 led directly to the club
ridding itself of 2006 first-rounder Renaldo BalkmanRenaldo Balkman .
marc.berman@nypost.com