http://www.nypost.com/seven/05272008/sports/knicks/italian_roots_for_knicks_112651.htm By MARC BERMAN May 27, 2008 -- Vittori Gallinari, father of the Italian Stallion, Danilo, and former teammate of Mike D'Antoni, told The Post from Italy yesterday he's rooting for the Knicks to select his son in the June 26 draft. Vittori played nine seasons with D'Antoni on Milan. He feels the 19-year-old, 6-foot-10 small forward prodigy would have the most success playing under his former mate. The Knicks select sixth, and if O.J. Mayo is off the board, Gallinari is a candidate who will be considered. "When Mike was playing, he felt like a coach on the court," Vittori said in a phone interview yesterday. "He was a playmaker but I always knew when he stopped playing, he would get a job as a coach. I'd be really happy if my son could be coached by Mike. I know he can speak Italian to him, which is important. I don't know if it will happen, but I'd be happy." Though invited, the younger Gallinari can't attend this week's pre-draft camp in Orlando in which the lottery hopefuls are given physicals and strength/fitness tests. Last night, Gallinari's Armani Milan club faced elimination in the Italian League playoffs. According to Vittori, Danilo will travel to the U.S. on June 6 for private workouts with teams, but will be selective. Gallinari will work out for the Knicks and only a handful of others. "We're not going to move around too much," said Vittori. "We'll select just a few teams, the Knicks for sure. New York is a good city of many Italian people, which makes it more interesting for us." Vittorio said he saw reassigned Isiah Thomas at a couple of Gallinari's games two weeks ago and also Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe last month. Gallinari has been compared to Toni Kukoc. "He's like a point forward, he can defend the five, he can play everywhere on the court," Vittorio said. "Mike knows the level of player in Europe and if a player is getting 35 minutes a game in Italian championships, he knows he can play." * As the pre-draft camp begins tonight at Disney's Milk House, the Knicks are in flux with their scouting department. Walsh still is looking to revamp the front office. It's unclear who's showing up to Orlando. (Thomas has not been invited). Senior VP Glen Grunwald, running the draft, will be on hand, but is likely to be replaced by a new GM this summer. The scouts on board are from the Thomas regime. Donnie Walsh won't arrive till Thursday and could use the event more as a job fair. While lottery picks, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez, Anthony Randolph, Jerryd Bayless, D.J. Augustin and Mayo will be put through tests, the game participants are late first- and second-round picks. The Knicks do not have a second-round pick in this year's draft. --

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