Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to European imports, most people think of cars.
Fans of the Denver Nuggets think of Danilo Gallinari as perhaps the best-ever Italian player in the NBA. If Gallinari is not already there, he certainly is on his way. There were a lot of people in the stands who were waiting to see what the 6-foot-10 forward would do for an encore after scoring a career-high 40 points on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. While he did not go off for 40 again, he was not the problem in a 99-85 loss to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Gallinari had 16 points, but the rest of his teammates came up small.
Denver fans have not had that much of an opportunity to see Gallinari play because he has been injured for much of the last two years. Back in Dec. 21, he needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Before that, he was out because of numerous procedures on his left knee and has had an injury-plagued career after being drafted sixth overall by the New York Knicks in 2008. In 2011, he was involved in a three-team trade which brought Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks.
Gallinari is an intriguing player because he shoots as well as any guard in the league and his height gives him the kind of vision and length to get that shot off any time he wants. No Nuggets player has been hotter in the last five games than Gallinari. His numbers of 22.3 points on 46.7 percent shooting from the field are in only three of those games, but regardless he’s been the team’s most productive player over that span. The three-point shot is there, but he’s done other things well, like drawing fouls. He’s drawn 5.3 fouls per game from guys guarding him during that span.
All of this makes him a vital part of the Nuggets’ plan going forward for head coach Melvin Hunt, providing he can stay on the court, avoid the hospital and get some help from his teammates.
Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
