Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari scored a career-high nine points in Monday night’s win over the Bulls, but he wasn’t happy with the way the Knicks’ in-house PA announcer treated his Italian heritage.
After each of his four baskets, the Knicks’ long-time public address announcer Mike Walczewski, using a thick Italian accent, said “Daneeelo Gal-lin-ar-ay” and then the Italian songs “Volare” or “That’s Amore” were played.
When asked about hearing his name, Gallinari said: “I need to talk a little bit with them about that. Because it’s not so good, the pronunciation. I will talk about that. As for the music, no, not so good.”
Gallinari then added, “Ay! Why you make-a fun-a Danilo? I score-a points. I make you pizza. What did Daneelo do to you?” Then he harassed and followed an attractive woman for two blocks before going back to his mother’s house.
So, wait. What was the problem again?
As you surely know, the NBA draft was last night. Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and OJ Mayo went 1-2-3 to the Bulls, Heat, and T-wolves. That last one is a recipe for disaster. I'm sure a southern California prima donna is going to just LOVE playing in Minnesota all winter long (UPDATE: Kevin Love and Mayo were traded. This is what happens when you write jokes the night before.)
In more interesting draft news, the Knicks went with 6-9 small forward Danilo Gallinari at #6. Knicks fans really wanted a point guard, perhaps Jerryd Bayless or, say, anyone else besides Danilo Gallinari. He was greeted to New York with boos and a nice little chant of "U-S-A!". Ahhhh, New York City. Such an international city, a symbol of America's melting pot. Give us your tired, your poor, your Italian small forwards.
[FanHaus]
