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Angry At Himself, Gallinari Takes Blame For Loss[/h1]
Mar 31, 2010 8:45 AM EST
Danilo Gallinari expressed anger at himself and said he was to blame for the Knicks' loss in Utah on Monday.
In so doing, the Italian-born player demonstrated a comfort level with English profanity.
"If I play 42 minutes and I go 1 for 6 from 3, I definitely have to think about this game," Gallinari said. "I’m on the court and I’m a big part of the offense. So if I shoot the ball bad like that in these type of games – tie games, at the end of the game, you look at the shots – definitely got to blame myself."
After exhaling and groaning, he added, "I cannot be like that."
Gallinari feels confident that his game is expanding beyond just the long-range jump shots he showed last season.
"But I knew that I’m not just a shooter, I can do a lot of stuff. And you know this, you know I can do a lot of stuff," Gallinari said.
Howard Beck of the New York Times believes that it bodes well for the development of a young player like Gallinari that he is taking so much responsibility this early in his career.
"Those are the skills that stand out on the court," Beck writes. "But becoming a star also requires pride and accountability. Gallinari angrily and profanely claimed his share on Monday, making perhaps his greatest leap yet."