<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MADRID, Spain (AP) - Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa has recovered from ankle and leg injuries and should be ready to play for Spain at next month's European championship. ''The medical scans and workouts Jorge Garbajosa has undergone show his ankle is in perfect shape,'' Jesus Bueno, the executive director of the Spanish basketball federation, said Sunday. ''Once all tests are passed the evaluation will be positive, however we need to wait in case complications exist.'' The six-foot-nine Garbajosa averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in his first year in the NBA before falling awkwardly in a game against the Boston Celtics in March to fracture his fibula and tear a ligament in his ankle. </div> TSN
That's great news. I feared the worst when I saw that injury, but everything really has turned out as good as it possibly could have. It should be interesting how he looks in proper practices and game situations. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Spanish doctors credited the Raptors medical staff for getting Garbajosa fit in less than the expected six months. ''The doctors have been impeccable and have involved us throughout,'' Spain medical head Delfin Galiano said.</div> Thought that was pretty cool.
I think when a teams trainers help with the player throughout the year and with his Euro team, it shows a lot of class on the part of the organization. I'm just so happy to hear that he is gunna come back and play 100%. Now, hopefully he can play his regular position or continue his old one. I expect big things from him this year. In both play and stats.
<div align="center">Raptors have yet to clear Garbajosa for return</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors examined Jorge Garbajosa over the weekend but have yet to approve the Spanish forward's participation in next month's European championship. Garbajosa is recovering from a broken fibula and torn ankle ligament ankle suffered during an awkward fall in a game against the Boston Celtics in March. He was due to join the Spanish national team in Madrid on Monday to prepare for the Sept. 3-Sept. 16 EuroBasket tournament in Spain. Spanish officials said Sunday that Garbajosa appears to have recovered enough to play, although Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo wasn't ready to go that far just yet. "Jorge visited Toronto over the weekend for a series of tests in order for us to determine his status," Colangelo said through a team spokesman. "At this point no official determination has been made other than he has not yet been cleared by our medical team to participate in full basketball activity." The six-foot-nine Garbajosa averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in his first year in the NBA.</div> <div align="center">Source: The Globe and Mail</div> The Spanish officials were hoping to have him join the team today, but it looks like Colangelo is taking all precautions. I don't blame him either, because the Spanish national team could rush him to play and they would't have to deal with any possible repurcussions (recurring injuries, etc.).
I think in the end he will play for Spain. He kept saying he will, I see it happening. If he doesn't I'll be very surprised. I feel though, that if he doesn't Colangelo made the correct decision. I'm sure he just wants to keep Garbo healthy, because he would of been so valuable against the Nets.
Garbajosa not in the clear yet <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jorge Garbajosa wants to play for Spain. Spain wants Garbajosa to play for Spain. But the Toronto Raptors aren't quite ready to allow their star forward, recuperating from a broken fibula and torn ankle ligament, to play in the Sept. 3-16 EuroBasket tournament in Spain. "Jorge visited Toronto over the weekend for a series of tests in order for us to determine his status," team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said through a team spokesman. "At this point no official determination has been made other than he has not yet been cleared by our medical team to participate in full basketball activity." </div> The Star
