ITA – Gallinari meets hero MJ at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK (NBA) – A back injury has prevented Italy’s Danilo Gallinari from making his debut with the New York Knicks but don’t think for a minute that the 20-year-old hasn’t enjoyed his time in the Big Apple.

At Madison Square Garden where the Knicks took on the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night, Gallinari got a chance to meet his idol, Michael Jordan.

"He was in a box right behind the Bobcats bench and he was speaking to coach Larry Brown,” Gallinari said.

“He looked at me and shook my hand. I was stunned, I didn´t know what to say.

“Jordan understood my embarrassment and told me to get well soon. Now after this meeting, I have done all I wanted in my life, I can retire! I will remember this night for many years to come."

Basketball legend Jordan, who hails from North Carolina where he played college basketball for the Tar Heels before turning pro in 1984, is a part owner of the Bobcats and also serves as the team’s managing member of basketball operations.

He won Olympic gold medals with Team USA as a collegian in 1984 and as a member of the Dream Team in 1992.

New York beat the Bobcats 101-98.

FIBA