Danilo Gallinari proud of his NBA legacy

This time it’s well and truly over Danilo Gallinari. After his last stay in Puerto Rico, with the Vaqueros de Bayamon with whom he became champion and MVP of the finals, then the final Eurobasket with Italy, “Gallo” decided to hang up.

His last invitations to the NBA was left unanswered by his latest freelancer in Milwaukee to finish out the 2023-2024 season. At age 37, with 777 regular season NBA games and 51 playoff games under his belt, the time has come.

“After I played in September for the national team, I wanted to take my time. Honestly, I had a lot of offers on the table… from all over the world. I love to travel, it’s my passion. So for me, playing in countries I’ve never been to is really exciting. But in the end, I was ready, mentally and physically, to end my career.”, he stated from his residence in Florida.

The next generation of Europeans is rising to the occasion

In his sixteen-year career, Danilo Gallinari experienced magnificent epics, in New York where he was drafted in 2008 and first booed by the fans before becoming one of the favorites of Madison Square Garden until 2011. In Denver, where he stayed for six years, then in the Clippers (in 2011 an important role) where he always had an important role in the 2017-20 season. 2019-2020 together with Chris Paul. A hellish journey that would almost surprise the main character.

“I had a lot of expectations for myself. Of course, at first you don’t know what the NBA is until you play it and experience it.”he added. “The first year I couldn’t play many games, but the second year I was able to play the whole season. That’s when I really understood what the NBA is and what type of player I can be. That’s when I really gained confidence and started thinking, ‘OK, I can be very good and I can stay here for many years.’ It was an amazing adventure.”

Krilo was also one of the pioneers in the NBA, for Italian basketball, first of all, along with compatriots Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli, but also a European. And with great pride today he sees Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić taking over European basketball at the highest level.

“I’m very proud of that. When I came into the league, the Americans were always much better. Today, the level in Europe is very high and we produce a lot of talent that is at the MVP level. It’s amazing that I was part of this process. It’s nice to see. I’m a big fan of all these players. The Americans have to move a little bit more now, because we have a lot of titles in the European season.

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic as worthy successors in Denver

He also left a big mark in Denver, not only because of his many exploits, but also because he saw the birth of the Murray-Jokic duo during his last season with the Rockies, 2016-2017. Six years later, the tandem led the Nuggets to the top of the NBA, and the Italian will make his small contribution to the construction.

Nikola Jokić was selected a year earlier, and Danilo Gallinari admitted that he did not immediately see the extent to which Denver holds the nugget in its hands.

“I didn’t imagine it all. At the end of my second season with him, I realized that he would become a very good player. But I never imagined that he would become the best player in the world. And in my opinion, he is the best player in the world. When you play for so many years and you see the younger generation coming up, it’s amazing, at least for me, with Murray and Jamal leading the team, it’s amazing to see their team led by Jamal. and Nikola, to see them progress and become champions … it’s amazing.