6 Degrees of Knicks/Raptors

via NYKnicks.com

Here are some connections between the Knicks and Raptors heading into tonight's season opener...

Danilo Gallinari and Raptors center Andrea Bargnani are from Italy: Gallinari is from Milan, Bargnani is from Rome. Gallinari and Bargnani have practiced together for the Italian National team.

Mike D’Antoni was hired as the Phoenix Suns head coach on Dec. 10, 2003 by then President/General Manager Bryan Colangelo, who currently holds the same position with the Raptors.

Mike D’Antoni was hired by Raptors Vice-President/Assistant General Manager Maurizio Gherardini to coach Benetton of the Italian League in 1994. The pair worked together from 1994-1997.

Raptors guard Marcus Banks played under Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix from (2006-08).

Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations Glen Grunwald spent a decade with the Raptors (1994-2004), including seven seasons as general manager.

Herb Williams played one game for Toronto in the 1995-96 season following a trade from the Knicks. He played 31 minutes and scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds on Feb. 22, 1996 in 102-86 loss at Utah. One day later, the Raptors waived him and he then returned to the Knicks on Feb. 28.

Donnie Walsh was Raptors assistant coach/Hall of Famer Alex English’s head coach in Denver for part of the 1980-81 season.

Knicks guard Toney Douglas played with Raptors rookie center Solomon Alabi for one season at Florida State University (2008-2009).

Andy Rautins father Leo is a TV analyst for the Raptors and went to training camp with the Knicks in 1987. Leo coached Andy for Team Canada at the 2010 World Basketball Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Raptors head coach Jay Triano was the Canadian Mens National teams head coach before being replaced by Leo. 

Toronto guard Leandro Barbosa played for Mike D’Antoni for five seasons in Phoenix.(2003-2008), alongside Amar’e Stoudemire where he averaged a career high 18.0 points per game and 4.0 assists per game during the 2006-2007 season.

Raptors forward Ed Davis and Raptors guard/forward DeMar DeRozan played in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic that took place at Madison Square Garden.

On Feb. 18, 2010, Toronto forward/center Joey Dorsey was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three team deal that also moved Tracy McGrady to the Knicks.

Roger Mason Jr. and Raptors guard/forward Linas Kleiza both played for Olympiacos Piraeus, although they did not play together; Mason (04-05) and Kleiza (09-10).

Raptors assistant coach Alex English and Herb Williams played together for one season for the Dallas Mavericks during the 1990-1991 season.

Let's go Knicks!