Danilo Gallinari's blossoming game has caught the eye of Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki, whom Gallinari is often compared to, said he watched Tuesday's win over the Suns and came away impressed with the 21-year-old Italian's development. "I mean, he's got an unbelievable stroke," Nowitzki told Newsday. "He looks like he's comfortable with the guys. His English has gotten better, so the sky's the limit." It should be noted that both players had troubling rookie seasons. Nowitzki struggled so badly in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season that he considered leaving the NBA to return to Germany. Gallinari's rookie season last year was truncated by a back injury that required season-ending surgery in March. "I think in the beginning it was important for me to just keep learning; keep my eyes and ears open, learn from the veterans and if he does that -- he's got a couple of veterans around him -- I think he's going to be all right," Nowitzki said. "But I'm really impressed with what he's been doing this year."
