Preseason starts in Italy for Knicks
After tonight's season finale in Toronto, the next time the Knicks take the court again will be on foreign soil. The NBA has scheduled them to open the annual NBA Europe Live tour on Oct. 3 in Milan, Italy. The Knicks will play an exhibition game against Armani Jeans Milano, the former team of both Danilo Gallinari and Mike D'Antoni.
When asked who will draw the loudest cheers from the crowd at Milan's Mediolanum Forum, Gallinari didn't even hesitate. "Mike will, for sure," the 21-year-old Italian said of D'Antoni, who both starred as a player and later coached the Milano team. "He's still a legend there. Wait until you see."
The Knicks will play a preseason game in Europe, as well, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 6 in Paris at the Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy. The NBA also is sending the Lakers on the tour; Pau Gasol will enjoy the same homecoming given to Gallinari when the Lakers play Ricky Rubio and Regal FC Barcelona on Oct. 7 in Barcelona. The Lakers and Timberwolves, who own the rights to Rubio, will play a preseason game Oct. 4 in London.
It will be the first time the Knicks are included in the NBA's global scheduling in 20 years. The Knicks played in the McDonald's Open in 1990 in Barcelona.
