The LA Clippers’ Danilo Gallinari says he is almost ready to play after breaking his thumb this summer.
In a recent interview captured by TMZ, LA Clippers’ forward Danilo Gallinari says that he is almost ready to play. The 28 year-old broke his thumb this summer after punching an opposing player during a European exhibition game.
The fact that Gallo seems almost ready to play is a good sign for Clippers’ fans. Too recently, fans had to wait for Blake Griffin to recover from a broken hand (along with a partially torn quad), so Danilo missing no actual season time is a blessing.
Gallinari should be a huge improvement to the Clippers’ small forward position, alongside Sam Dekker. Luc Mbah a Moute filled the spot well the past couple of years, but with the departure of Chris Paul, the team needed more scoring out of the position.
Despite a past of minor injuries hampering him, Gallinari is a solid NBA player. For his career, he has averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists. However, he had a better year last season, putting up 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Gallo is also very capable of playing small ball, with a 6’10”, 225lb frame. His versatility will work well with both DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin when he has to share the court with them. His rebounding should also be helpful, even though DeAndre is a perennial rebound leader.
The Clippers should begin training camp soon, with the season starting in mid-October. Gallinari will hopefully be ready to go full force just in time.