Sure, New York will be tough. Danilo Gallinari believes he is ready, since there was plenty of pressure playing in Milan.
Especially since he wore the same number as a giant of Italian hoops — who now happens to be his coach.
Gallinari proved to be worthy of wearing Mike D’Antoni’s No. 8 back home, and hopes to win over the fans that jeered him on draft night when he dons a Knicks jersey with the same number next season.
“I think it is two different worlds,” the 19-year-old Gallinari said Friday at the Knicks’ training center. “There is a lot of pressure in Milan and a lot of pressure in New York. So I’m going to different places, but same place.”
And not an easy one. Fans at the draft booed loudly when the Knicks took Gallinari on Thursday with the No. 6 pick, and that was nothing compared to what he’ll hear if he doesn’t produce right away next season.
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