Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari joined Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski on The Vertical podcast for about 12 minutes. Gallo joins the show after Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown. You can find Gallo’s segment at the 1:04:50 mark.

Woj and Gallo talking points: 

1.) Gallo’s recent play where he has been on an absolute tear.

2.) Gallinari leading the Italian National Team this past summer.

3.) Woj and Gallo discuss his ACL procedures. The “natural healing” and then the second surgery to repair the failed natural healing attempt. Gallo opens up about it and it sounds rough.

4.) Being drafted by the New York Knicks, finding success and then getting traded to Denver.

5.) Woj asks Gallo about George Karl – the two formed a great bond during Karl’s time in Denver.

6.) Gallinari discusses his new role with these young Nuggets – focusing on being a team leader. “I love the city, I love being here and working with the people I’ve been working with the past five years,” said Gallo. “I want to be a focal point for this franchise and I want to be the leader — and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

7.) Woj asks Gallo about re-signing with Denver and what his motivations were.

8.) Gallo on earning so many trips to the free throw line.

9.) Woj wants to know Gallinari’s thoughts on new head coach Michael Malone. “He’s a great guy. He’s very straightforward with everybody,” said Gallo about Malone. “So, whatever he thinks he’s going to say it. That’s helping me and that’s helping everybody because I think that any player wants the coach to be straightforward with them.”

10.) Gallinari talks about what making the All-Star team would mean to him.

11.) More talk on Gallo’s goals with the Italian National Team.

12.) Woj asks Gallo what youth basketball is now like in Italy after the success of some guys that have made the NBA.

13.) Gallo talks about the pick-up soccer he played as a kid, and how it translated to basketball.

PODCAST LINK HERE, CLICK RIGHT HERE, SERIOUSLY, LISTEN TO GALLO HERE