There should be a slew of Italians on hand when the Knicks play their preseason opener Oct. 8 in Toronto – the first showdown between Italy’s two stars, Danilo Gallinari and Andrea Bargnani. It will be Gallinari’s Knicks debut and his first battle against his countryman.
There were some scouts raving before the draft that Gallinari, selected sixth this past June, will be a better player than the 6-11 Bargnani, selected No. 1 overall in 2006 by Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo has told friends he believes Bargnani will have the better career.
The Knicks also will face the world-champion Celtics in the preseason in Boston. The Knicks are expected to announce their preseason schedule today. They open the regular season Oct. 29 at the Garden vs. Miami.