Jorge

Garbajosa

They won’t know for sure until further tests are conducted this week in Spain. Garbajosa played for Spain this summer despite the Raptors’ objections and if he still requires surgery, they’re not going to be happy. “We will have multiple images and scans taken to see what his situation is,” Bryan Colangelo said. “And you can be assured over the next three-month evaluation and analysis period, if he feels any kind of pain at the fracture site, or any other kind of setback, we will undertake something quickly.”

“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I would be ready,” said Garbajosa, who continues to come back from a broken leg. “My leg is fine, it hasn’t given me any problems whatsoever, and I hope it continues that way the whole tournament. You can always feel better when you’re coming off an injury, but I feel good.” If Garbajosa, who was only cleared to play on the eve of the tournament, makes it through without aggravating the injury, it will be a good sign for the Raptors.

He’s still got an outside shot at a starting job and based on the fact that Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Joey Graham all struggled tonight, he could land the small forward job. Stay tuned.

Jason Kapono and Joey Graham didn’t fare much better and if one of these guys doesn’t step up, Sam Mitchell may just give the job to Jorge Garbajosa by default. At this point we’re guessing Kapono is leading the race, but no one has really stepped up to make a strong case for winning the job.

Garbajosa is still recovering from season-ending ankle surgery, but has traveled with his teammates to Cadiz, where Spain started its preparations for the tournament. “I am confident,” he said. “I really want to help my team achieve the European title in Madrid. I feel well considering the limited time I’ve had since I began my rehabilitation and that’s good.” While his availability for EuroBasket is up in the air, it sounds like he will be ready to go for Raptors’ training camp.

However, sources close to the Raptors say the team is not likely to allow him to compete in the event. He should be ready for training camp, but will probably not be moving a full speed until after the regular season starts.

He suffered a broken leg last season and is close to being ready to play again. However, the Raptors weren’t comfortable with him playing for Spain this soon. He is probably mad at the Raptors, but should be ready to go once the regular season gets here. Monitor him closely once training camp starts.

“We have consulted with a number of foot and ankle specialists and have concluded that there is an elevated risk for Jorge to compete at this time,” Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo said in the statement. “Regarding his eventual return to competitive basketball, we are currently evaluating and discussing treatment options with Jorge and his representatives which include both surgical and non-surgical paths.” While it recently sounded like there was a good chance he’d be ready for training camp after breaking his fibula and suffering torn ankle ligaments last March, it now sounds like avoiding him may be the safest option. If he is going to miss time this season, Andrea Bargnani should see an even bigger role in the offense.

“It’s not only my decision, the doctors have to give their opinion (but) the only thing I know is how I feel and I don’t feel any pain,” he said. “I feel in good shape. You just saw me run and jumping. I’m just trying to be healthy, stay in shape, to be useful for the season.” Garbajosa may still need a surgery, but as of now, it sounds like he’s fine. He may not be worth a draft pick, but will be someone to watch on the waiver wire this season.

“The recovery process is hard but not a day has gone by where I haven’t felt some improvement or taken a step forward,” Garbajosa said. “I really hope the day comes when I can think about the EuroBasket but I know I have to be cautious.” The Raptors would probably prefer he get healthy and take baby steps in an effort to be ready for the start of the season, but Garbajosa is very emotional when it comes to EuroBasket. “To have heard (coach) Pepu Hernandez say that he will wait longer for me to recover makes me very proud,” he said. “It made me very emotional. I have always said to Pepu and to the federation that my biggest wish is to be with them at the EuroBasket and its true that I could have a slower recovery and work with more calmness but I am doing this because I want to.”