<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors have ruled forward Jorge Garbajosa out of playing for Spain at the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, the club announced yesterday. "Despite Jorge feeling and looking ready to play, the medical findings suggest otherwise," Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said in a statement. Garbajosa suffered a broken fibula and torn ankle ligaments during a Raptors game in Boston in March. The Raptors said Garbajosa was recently evaluated in Toronto by Raptors medical, training and coaching staffs, and was able to perform on-court drills proficiently and without pain. But a detailed review and assessment of the various images and scans taken have revealed insufficient healing of the fractured fibula. </div> The Toronto Star
NBA and FIBA should reach an agreement regarding players playing for their National teams and all the risks that accompany it. I recall Dirk getting injured two years ago and Cuban getting irate by the whole thing.
<u><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> NBA</u> and FIBA should reach an agreement regarding players playing for their National teams and all the risks that accompany it. I recall Dirk getting injured two years ago and Cuban getting irate by the whole thing. </div> For sure, with more and more international <strike>players</strike> stars emerging who want to represent their country, this will be a bigger issue in the future.
Has anyone heard from Garbajosa since this news came out? My biggest fear is that there wasn't enough communication between all the parties and Garbajosa will be a little disgruntled with the Raps coming into training camp.
He may be disgruntled, but I think it is for the best. Colangelo knows what is best for Garbo right now, and to risk more injury would be un human of Colangelo. Right now, I much rather have a disgruntled Garbo who will suck it up and still play 110% every night then a happy Garbo who could injury his ankle even worse and be out another whole season.
Here's the article: <div align="center">Garbajosa a go for Spain</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jorge Garbajosa will pull on his Spanish national team basketball jersey today and unimaginable emotion will wash over him. On this side of the Atlantic, the feeling around the Raptors will be more trepidation than elation. With insurance issues settled but questions about his health remaining, Garbajosa will suit up for Spain to open the Eurobasket 2007 tournament in Madrid today, giving him a chance to live out one of his dreams. "When I was growing up I never really dreamed of playing for Barcelona or Madrid, I dreamed of putting on a Spanish national team jersey and so this meant a lot to me," Garbajosa said yesterday in Spain when he was finally cleared to play, two weeks after the Raptors had denied him permission to take part in the event. It took a series of all-night meetings and negotiations involving the Raptors, the Spanish basketball federation and insurance companies before the 29-year-old got final approval to play. The Raptors, mindful of Garbajosa's place on their roster and the $8.4 million (U.S.) they owe him over the next two seasons, aren't overjoyed that he'll play, but the insurance issue gave them enough peace of mind to withdraw their objections. "Although our medical staff has advised Jorge that another surgery is the best option toward a full and complete recovery, he has chosen to pursue a non-surgical path back to the basketball floor," Raptor president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said in a release yesterday. "Jorge is aware of and understands all of the inherent risks of competing at this time and maintains his desire to move forward accordingly." Garbojosa suffered a gruesome, season-ending injury last March when he broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in a fall during a game in Boston. He has been on an aggressive rehabilitation program ever since, with members of Toronto's medical and training staff co-ordinating the treatment in person for much of the summer. They felt more rest, treatment and, perhaps, surgery was called for, but Spanish federation medics cleared him and paid for an insurance policy that will cover Toronto's financial commitment to Garbajosa. However, the insurance will do nothing to ease roster concerns of the defending Atlantic Division champions if the 6-foot-9 forward reinjures his leg or ankle again during the European tournament, which runs until Sept. 16. "I told everyone from the beginning that my goal was to play this summer," Garbajosa said at a news conference, fighting back tears.</div> <div align="center">Source: Toronto Star</div> I'm with you Cornflake, this thing scares the hell out of me. Garbo's been one of my favourite players to watch this past season and it'd be a hell of a blow if anything happened to him. At the same time, you had a feeling that he would play for his team no matter what. That kind of patriotism and dedication is pretty admirable. I'll be posting updates on Jorge's status regularly.
I wonder what Brian is thinking...Good for Garbo though. If he does get injured, I think I might bury my Garbo jersey and never look at it again. I can see him playing big minutes off the bench.
It's backed up by an insurance policy taken out by the Spanish. Still scary stuff, but we're at least partially covered financially. If global interest in basketball is to grow (specifically the national team games) at some point players are going to have to be released to play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At some point players are going to have to be released to play.</div> By released, you mean like let go by the team? Then can't that player go out and sign with another team?
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">By released, you mean like let go by the team? Then can't that player go out and sign with another team?</div> ahah .. no not like that. I mean released in a way that allows them to go play for their national team. "Released" is the term that usually gets thrown around in soccer when you talk about a guy going to play for his national team. Not intended to mean he takes off from the raptors
<div class="quote_poster">a13x Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">ahah .. no not like that. I mean released in a way that allows them to go play for their national team. "Released" is the term that usually gets thrown around in soccer when you talk about a guy going to play for his national team. Not intended to mean he takes off from the raptors </div> Oh ok, my bad. I just think that Garbo needs to think about the Raptors first. I'm happy he wants to represent his country but his mind should be set on helping the Raptors win more games and become a championship team. He was a huge part of our team, and him getting injured hurt us. I just think the risk he is taking is to much, but I don't know how he fells. I guess if he fells he can play, then let him play.
