For Danilo Gallinari it is a dream come true. Next year he will wear the Boston Celtics jersey, with which he will go on the hunt for the NBA title. The rooster he said he had always been a fan of theirs, ever since, as a child, their father Vittorio made him watch on television the games of Larry Bird, an icon of Boston in the 80s, those of the great rivalry with the Magic Johnson Lakers. Now that shirt is his, to help Boston take revenge after narrowly losing this year’s title to the Golden State Warriors. Not only that, because in the eternal rivalry with the Lakers the two teams are paired at 17 NBA titles, and going to 18 would have an even more special meaning.
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Family tradition
The father is Vittorio Gallinari, one of the pillars of Olimpia in the mid-80s with Dan Peterson on the bench. He contributed to the conquest of many trophies during that period, including the unforgettable Triplet 1987 when the Milanese won the Scudetto, Champions Cup and Italian Cup. In total he won four league titles, then moved on to Virtus Bologna with which he won two Italian Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup.
The number 8
For those born on 8/8/88 to have that jersey number and carrying it with you throughout your career is a foregone conclusion, a mark of fate tattooed on your skin. Among other things, he is 2.08 meters tall: unwittingly, the 8 returns there too.
From the oratory to the NBA
Born in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, his basketball career began early in the youth teams of some teams in the area, where he immediately showed that he had a talent out of the ordinary. At the age of 16 he made his debut in Serie B of Excellence with the Casalpusterlengo shirt, before moving on to Olimpia Milano. Still a minor, he played his first match in the Euroleague, later becoming one of the milestones in Milan until he moved to the United States.
Super contract
The figures circulating in the NBA have always been very high, just think that the last contract signed by Gallinari with the Atlanta Hawks included 61.5 million dollars for the three years (he only played two of the three years before the last transfer) . In Boston Gallinari will earn 13.5 million for the next two years, and to be in all likelihood the last major contract of his career he definitely made a bargain. In his career he has abundantly exceeded the wall of 100 million dollars earned (to which the numerous personal sponsors must be added), after having been the highest paid Italian sportsman in the world in 2020 with 19.5 million dollars per season.
$ 10 million without playing
How do you make $ 10 million without even playing? Possible, in the strange mechanism of the NBA market. Gallinari, in fact, was the economic counterpart in the negotiation between Atlanta and San Antonio to bring Dejounte Murray to Atlanta. The Spurs, however, did not intend to pay the final year of the contract Galloequal to 21.5 million dollars. In all contracts, however, there is the so-called guaranteed quota, which in his case was 10 million. And after having expired the 48 hours in the waiver list (the list in which the players who are cut by the various teams end up), the blue champion was able to tie himself to the Celtics. Earning 10 million from San Antonio without even playing.
Recently dad
On 7 December 2020, the joy of becoming a father also arrived for Danilo Gallinari. The partner (the journalist Eleonora Boi) gave birth Anastasia.
Sixth jersey in the NBA
Gallinari said goodbye to Italy and Europe 14 years ago, when in 2008 he decided to make the big leap in the NBA. During his career in the most famous league in the world he has played with six different jerseys: The New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks and, for example, the Boston Celtics.
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In the footsteps of Belinelli
The arrival in Boston could represent a turning point in Gallinari’s career, who dreams of repeating the feat of Marco Belinelli, the only Italian to win the NBA title, in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs jersey. It was the last ring of the sparkling era Popovich, conquered by overcoming the Miami Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh 4-1. A unique and wonderful undertaking for Belinelli, and which Gallinari now dreams of repeating.
Olimpia in the heart
14 years in the United States is a long time, yet in the heart of Danilo Gallinari there is always the beloved Olimpia Milano, his father’s team and the one in which he too grew up, laying the foundations for his career. The fans were hoping to find him immediately, they will have to wait a little longer. Because before you hang your shoes on one thing The rooster it is certain, that of still wearing number 8 of his Olympia.
Milan fan
When he returns to Italy, San Siro is a must for Gallinari, who even from the States he never stopped cheering on Milan. Always a declared Rossonero fan, on Instagram after the scudetto of his favorite team he posted a photo with the celebratory shirt of Milan, the new champion of Italy, writing: «I can’t stop thinking about it. Milan, so much love! ».
