Whether or not Garbajosa is being punished for playing this summer against the wishes of Raptors brass and for skipping having surgery is never going to be made public knowledge, but Spanish national team captain and friend Pau Gasol believes Jorge is being treated vindictively.</p> "I think that for all the things he did in the summer and his desire to play in the national team at the EuroBasket, the Raptors have a bit of a grudge," explained Gasol (link).</p> This would entail an agreement between Sam Mitchell and Bryan Colangelo, as well as Maury Gheridini, to keep Garbo on the bench (DNP-CD last night) in favour of playing Juan Dixon, Carlos Delfino, Kris Humphries, and the rookie, Jamario Moon.</p> The issue I have with this supposed strategy is that Jose Calderon is a restricted free agent this summer. I don't want to colour his impression of the franchise--the more intent he is in staying, the less teams will try and steal him away with big offers.</p> Is any of this real?</p>
Hopefully thats not true, because you shouldn't bench a player because he wanted to play for his country.</p>
This doesn't make sense to me. Why would they purposely not play someone if they felt he could help the team out? I don't know, but I just think Colangelo's way too reasonable to be that vindictive. And even if we suppose he is, why wouldn't he just trade him? They really need to solve this Garbajosa situation behind closed doors though. One of our biggest strengths last season was the closeness in our locker room and professional attitude among our players and this could threaten that.</p>
This is what Pau Gasol thinks? I doubt he has a clue what's on Smitch's or BC's mind. Before I ever click the link I knew this had to be written in a European newspaper or website. What's with euro's running their mouths lately, seems like these guys hold nothing back when speaking in thier home countries.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Hopefully thats not true, because you shouldn't bench a player because he wanted to play for his country.</p> </div></p> </p> </p> Waht is with Sport teams these days? Did anybody hear about the Viking incident?</p>
This year the Raptors IMO have so much depth at all positions that PT may be hard to come by if your not a guaranteed starter. I really like Garbajosa and I want to see his minutes increase because he was a huge part of our success last season and is one of those grind it out type of players that lays it all out on the court. Hopefully this issue, if there is one can be resolved and Garbo will be worked back into the rotation. The worst case scenario is if Garbo walks then Jose walks, but I hope Jose is not so blind as to follow his friend and risk the great situation he is in.</p>
