The Georgian national team coach is not optimistic, but Zaza Pachulia is.
Pachulia, the Warriors starting center, injured his ankle in a EuroBasket tune-up against the Czech Republic, and is now in doubt for the tournament. Joining a long list of NBA players not taking part due to injury or other concerns. While his national team coach is not, Pachulia is optimistic he can still play in EuroBasket for Georgia, he told Eurohoops.com.“It’s a work in progress. We’re getting better and better. The trainers are doing a great job taking care of me. Every day I’m getting better and better. We’re doing some good treatments. It’s obviously a process. The good thing is that there is that progress every day. I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to fully rehabilitate and be able to fully practice....
Absolutely (he is hopeful he can play). That’s the plan, that’s my goal. But health is very important obviously. Especially when you talk about ankle. The doctors are paying much attention to it. The Golden State Warriors doctors are also following the situation of course. Obviously, we’re not going to hurt myself. You have to be very smart basically to see where you are and see how much you can do.
At the end of the day, it’s a no brainer that I want to help my team and I want to play in the EuroBasket. But at the same time you have be smart about it. There’s a long season waiting with a lot of games. And we are talking about the Warriors, the championship team, we shouldn’t forget that.
Players can be the worst judges of their own health and when they can return, but Bogut is a veteran who, unfortunately, has a lot of history with injuries. He knows to be patient, trust the doctors, and think about the big picture.
But you can’t blame the man who had the Georgian flag draped around his shoulders after his team won the NBA title last year for hoping he can play for his country this summer.
Injuries and guys just sitting out has cost EuroBasket a lot of star power this summer. Already out are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Marc Gasol, Nikola Jokic, Danilo Gallinari, Enes Kanter, Marcin Gortat, Ersan Ilyasova, Omar Asik, Andrea Bargnani, Nicolas Batum, Tony Parker, Serge Ibaka, Nikola Mirotic, and Sergio Llull. And that’s far from a complete list.
