Gallinari: Looking to Bring Back Isiah Thomas is Why Knicks Will Never Win

With media and fans alike buzzing for all the wrong reasons with the rumors that Isiah Thomas may be returning to New York, a former Knickerbocker is also chiming in.

Speaking at an Italian function, former fan-favorite Danilo Gallinari recognized last week's meeting between Thomas & Knicks' owner James Dolan, and his comment (said in Italian) can be loosely translated to "Isiah Thomas back to the Knicks? That's the reason New York will never win."

One has to wonder whether Gallo was specifically knocking the job Thomas did during his tenure in the Big Apple, or simply implying that even considering bringing him back signifies New York is not an organization with a winning mentality. Either way, the sentiment is clearly the same.

The former Knicks forward's comments are still a bit surprising, not necessarily because of what he said, but that he actually said it. Most players have publicly supported Thomas despite all the twists and turns during his unsuccessful tenure.

By the time his own career in an orange and blue uniform came to an end, Gallinari was showing signs of becoming a very special player. Diversifying his game in hopes of not being pigeonholed as a "one trick pony," Gallo worked on effectively driving to the basket, successfully getting fouled again and again.

Now a member of the Nuggets, Gallinari was limited to 43 games and averaged 14.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest last season Despite his underwhelming finishing numbers, the forward was in fact playing like a fringe NBA all-star before succumbing to an injury right before the league's midseason break.