Too bad he can't suit up for Italia this summer...
Italian Basketball Federation president Dino Meneghin, along with Dan “The Coach” Peterson, will reportedly be taking in the New York Knicks-Toronto Raptors game at Madison Square Garden tonight; tomorrow, they’ll be meeting with el guapo himself, NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Unfortunately, reportage – even Italian-language – on this trip to America is scanty, but according to the most recent edition of FIBA’s regular “Taylor Made” column, going to MSG is no casual night out. Meneghin and Peterson will be seeking an audience with Knicks and Raptors executives to discuss the summertime activities of Andrea Bargnani, Marco Belinelli, and Danilo Gallinari.
Said Meneghin: “I want to meet the guys and with my presence and that of the federation to show them our support because since the summer, we have only been able to talk on the telephone
“I would like them to know that their availability for next summer will be necessary, especially at such a delicate moment for Azzurri basketball.”
One wonders exactly how pressingly Meneghin will make such a case to Stern in tomorrow’s meeting; Peterson seems pleased to be visiting the Old Country, but is fairly well mum on the duo’s intentions with the commissioner. Calling it a business trip in Italy-based Basket News, Peterson noted that while in the ‘States, he’ll be doing some phone-in work with Sport Italy. And buying souvenirs.
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