As reported on his Knicks Fix blog, Alan Hahn spoke with Mike D'Antoni about the progress of Knicks' rookie Danilo Gallinari after returning from a back injury.

"I think I might have tried him a little too early," D'Antoni said about his decision to insert Gallinari into the Knicks' season opener.

D'Antoni compared Gallinari's trouble keeping up with the NBA pace to a minor leaguer who cannot yet hit a major league curveball.

"The speed right now has got him a little bit," D'Antoni said. "He sees things he wants to do, but he can't get there. The game is moving a little bit too fast, and he needs some more times on the floor with these guys and then I'll put him in.

"The biggest thing is his activity in practice; I keep watching him to see," D'Antoni said. "As soon as he gets ready physically, whether we win or lose ... he?ll play. [Skill-wise,] he's ready."

Hahn also notes that the NBDL draft is Friday night.  The Knicks could look to take Patrick Ewing Jr. so he starts learning D'Antoni's system.