Gallinari sees bright future with Knicks
Knicks Blog
Berman on TwitterBy MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 4:31 AM, September 22, 2010
Nothing can bother Danilo Gallinari these days. Not the LeBron James snub. Not even the rumors about him being a key piece in a trade for Denver's disgruntled Carmelo Anthony that becomes an even bigger long shot by the day.
After working on his post game during the offseason, the 6-foot-11 Italian Stallion believes this new group of Knicks is plenty good to make the playoffs -- without LeCon, without Melo.
And with the Knicks' preseason trip to Italy in the offing, the Knicks' 22-year-old sharpshooter doesn't believe he is the one to go if Anthony somehow forces the Nuggets to trade him to the Knicks.
"I haven't received calls from my agent or the team, so I'm not worried about the situation," Gallinari told The Post yesterday after his Westchester workout in preparation for Friday's opening of training camp.
"I know I'll be on the Knicks this year and want to concentrate on the team and our goals. I'm not really worried about the Carmelo Anthony thing that's in the papers."
The Nuggets reportedly are now willing to listen to offers, but the Knicks aren't heavy hitters. They don't have a first-round pick to deal until 2014.
The lone change is if Gallinari plays like a stud early in the season. If the Knicks could get a third team involved to pony up a first-round pick, maybe they get back in play.
But, as one Knicks official told The Post earlier this week, "We don't think we have what they want."
One member of the Knicks brass also cautioned the team is leery of giving up Gallinari, who claims his back is pain-free.
"He's so young, you still don't know how good he can be," he said.
Gallinari definitely will be part of the team during their big trip to Milan, Italy, on Oct. 3 to face Armani Jeans, the club Gallinari starred as a teen-ager. When tickets went on sale last spring, the 12,000-seat arena sold out in five hours.
Gallinari was told 85,000 Internet requests were made.
"Everybody was talking about [the game]," said Gallinari, who spent May, June, July and half of August in Milan. "It's a huge event. I hope not to get too emotional during my arrival there. It's going to be unbelievable for my country, my city, my people.
"I think Milan has the best team in the Italian league," Gallinari said. "I want to win this game. I don't want to lose this game."
After two straight miserable, non-playoff seasons, Gallinari sees lots of winning with the new talent. The three key additions are Amar'e Stoudemire, whom Gallinari adores, Raymond Felton and Anthony Randolph.
"Honestly, I have great feelings," Gallinari said. "I think the team Donnie [Walsh] and Mike [D'Antoni] put together, they did a great job this summer. I think we have a really good team. I feel we have the guys and team to get to the playoffs.
"Everybody would've liked to play with him," Gallinari said of James. "He made his choice and I think we have enough guys and a really good team. We just have to worry about our team, our training camp and nothing else."
Gallinari has worked out with Stoudemire since late August. His inside game should open up Gallinari's 3-point prowess. Last season he sank 186 3-pointers -- second most in the NBA and in team history. John Starks' team record of 217 is in danger.
"It's a strength and big part of my game," Gallinari said. "Hopefully I can use it not to set a record but to use my 3's to help the team win. And I know I got better driving the ball to the basket, especially the second half of the season and want to keep doing that."
Gallinari said the coaching staff had him work on his post game.
"Our goals were to improve my flexibility, explosiveness and post-up game," said Gallinari.
9/22/2010 12:48 PM LAST EDITED: 9/22/2010 12:48 PM