Knicks Future Looks Bright with Gallinari, Chandler Laying the Foundation

Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari figure to thrill Knicks fans for years to come. NBAE/Getty Images

When last year’s training camp opened, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari were slated to play reserve roles for the Knicks. Chandler was a second-year pro who had appeared in less than half of New York’s games the previous season, while Gallinari, a rookie, was an unknown prospect out of Italy.

This year things are different. Both youngsters are now considered the future of the franchise, and training camp opened with them running with the starters – Chandler at the two spot and Gallinari at the three. They are confident and prepared to become stars of the team.

“I have to be ready,” Chandler said. “I’m excited about the season. I think me and Danilo have a lot to prove. If we don’t try too hard and just go out there and play hard, I think a lot of good things will happen.”

Chandler and Gallinari spent most of the summer in New York rehabbing from surgeries. Chandler, who ended up playing in all 82 games (starting 70) last season, underwent a procedure five months ago to remove bone spurs in his left ankle and reported to camp feeling “90 to 100 percent” healthy.

“It’s feeling good, actually,” Chandler said. “It was a huge transition getting back on the court as far as my wind and all that, but right now I’m feeling pretty good.”

Gallinari, who missed training camp last year and was limited to just 28 games because of back problems, had surgery in April and returned the team’s training center a month ago. He is also at 100 percent entering camp.

With both players healthy, the pressure is on from the organization and the fans. Mike D’Antoni, the team’s head coach, has already called Gallinari “the best shooter I’ve ever seen” and feels that his long-range shooting can possibly get the Knicks over the hump and become a playoff team.

“He played in 28 games last year at about half speed and we were 14-14,” D’Antoni said. “And he shoots 47 percent from 3s.”

Chandler will be expected to build off his strong finish last season, when he averaged nearly 16 points per game after the All-Star break. But, like Gallinari, he will have to deal with the added pressure if he wants to become a superstar in the league.

“It’s normal to feel a little bit of pressure, but I like it,” Gallinari said. “That’s a good feeling. That’s the feeling that a player wants to get, because if a player doesn’t have the pressure or the anticipation from other people, then that’s a problem.”

It doesn't seem like neither player will have a problem. The sky is the limit and they both know it. Now it's time to prove they can carry a team.