And there’s talk of back surgery: “Danilo Gallinari’s once promising rookie season appears to be over. The Knicks announced early Tuesday that Gallinari is headed to his home country of Italy to see back specialists and that he may need surgery to correct a back problem that has affected him since July…This is potentially devastating development for the sixth overall pick of last June’s NBA Draft. There is no telling how long Gallinari will be sidelined should he require surgery. Moreover, there is no way of knowing if Gallinari will ever regain the form that made him the highest Knicks draft pick since Kenny “Sky” Walker was selected fifth overall in 1986. It is not common for 20-year-old world class athletes to have debilitating back injuries.
Gallinari missed the first three months of the season and has appeared in just 28 games. He’s averaging 6.1 points and shooting 44 percent on three’s. The Knicks had been encouraged by his shooting prowess and toughness. However, Gallinari has maintained all year that physically he is at about 60 percent.”
