Difference MakersThe Advertising spot above is reserved for companies,people and organizations that are making a difference in the Italian and Italian American communities. It's a free spot and changes periodically. Are you making a difference? Contact me. | That’s Amore??So for those of you who don’t know him,Danilo Gallinari is an Italian basketball player that was drafted by the New York Knicks this past year (6th overall.) He started the season off with some back problems,so he just recently began playing in the NBA. At home games in Madison Square Garden in New York,the announcer unsuccessfully tries to pronounce Danilo’s name with an Italian accent when he scores and then plays a clip of “That’s Amore”or “Volare”…. Danilo doesn’t like it because he’s a young kid who would rather hear music he enjoys and listens to when he scores. According to the New York Daily News,the Italian journalists at the Garden think it stereotypes Italians. What do you think?  Danilo Gallinari
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It does seem stereotypical. And cheesy. I’m glad they don’t play those tired songs whenever Marco Belinelli scores for the GS Warriors.
I went to the Celts game right before Christmas just to see Danilo,even though he wasn’t playing
But regarding the music when he scores,I agree with Rose in Cali,stereotypical and cheesy.
Does it stereotype Italians? Yes! But the powers that be are just interested in getting the crowds involved and they know those songs and will chime in. I kinda feel bad for the guy though. Maybe they can compromise somehow.
Being an athlete I can understand that he wants to hear music he likes and chooses because there are some songs that just get your adrenaline going and push you during the course of the game…
Baseball players get to choose what songs they hear when they come to bat,why not when you score in bball??
I hate it when the American announcers mangle the Italian players’names when I watch soccer and even more so when they say their names with the bad accent. I wish they would do their homework and learn to pronounce their names correctly. And,I can’t blame Danilo for not liking the songs they are playing when he scores. They gotta be 40-50 years old! And,I even like to sing those songs when I am in Italy or an Italian mood because they are easy to sing. If Danilo doesn’t like them,he needs to educate those guys with a little Ligabue,some Francesco Facchinetti or Eros Ramazzotti or Tiziano Ferro!
Cherrye linked to you today.
I say Danilo should give them a list of songs he likes and the announcers should learn to pronounce his name correctly. It’s not that hard.
Hi Joe,It seems we Italian Americans are all on the same page with this topic. I look forward to connecting with you. Ciao-
Margie