Gasol to have surgery...

Kings113 · Sep 2, 2006

Sept. 2, 2006 -- The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that All-Star forward Pau Gasol will require surgery to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Further details will be made available later this week.

Gasol suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Spain's victory over Argentina in the semifinals of the FIBA World Championship of Basketball. He will not play in the gold-medal game against Greece on Sunday.
The five-year veteran and former Rookie of the Year averaged 21.3 points per game for Spain in the World Championship. Last season for the Grizzlies, Gasol averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, earning his first All-Star selection and leading Memphis into The Playoffs.

Official Statement from the Memphis Grizzlies: "Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot in Spain's victory over Argentina in the semifinals of the FIBA World Championships. Gasol will require surgery to repair the injury and additional information regarding the surgery will be released later in the week once details are finalized."

http://www.nba.com/news/wcob_gasol_injury_060902.html

Man, I forgot he had that foot problem earlier this season. Guess it worsened. Regardless if it was from that, the risk of playing outside the NBA happened... For the Grizz, I would hope he's not out too long.

TheJoker · Sep 2, 2006

I heard hes out 3 months if thats the case i don't see how the Grizzles can survive without him they don't exactly have one of the best depths in the league. it's gonna be a long season for the Grizzles IMHO...

Kings113 · Sep 2, 2006

If so, 3 months isn't a lot as far as missing time to play. He'll be back in late November/early December. Ultimately, I think they'll still be in the playoff picture - meaning the usual dog-fight around the 8-10/11 spots. Who knows what team comes outta that though.

Positive for the Grizz in that missed time is that Lawerence Roberts will get some time to play behind Stromile Swift. Had a lot of time in the NBDL and was impressive supposedly. Warrick maybe gets some time at PF when going smaller.

TheJoker · Sep 2, 2006

For the Grizzles... Gasol missing 3 months is bad news we're not talking about the Spurs or the Heat were they can survive without there best front-court player.

i think there season spells doom.

Kings113 · Sep 2, 2006

TheJoker said:

Um, how? He'd only be missing a month and change of the season.... there'd still be basically at least 5 months left for him to play. If this was coming up in October or November, different situation.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

Kings113 said:

Because he might come back and be ineffective. 3 months is a big lose for Pau Gasol and the Team/Organization. i just don't see the Grizzles doing much this year they have down-graded and all signs show Pau Gasol might not be his old-self this season.

Grizzles = D-O-O-M. and its good for us because we'll be fighting with them for a playoff spot.

BMiller52 · Sep 3, 2006

I think the Grizz are screwed if Gasol misses more than a month. Foot injuries are a pretty big deal for big men right? Stro has the talent but he REALLY doesn't fit into Fratello's slow it down/halfcourt system. He'd be way better on a running team with good passers. Gasol is their #1 guy and they don't even really have a good #2 guy(Gay isn't there yet) so they're definitely going to have a rough first month of the season. Lost Battier, LoWright, and BJax and all they got was Gay(talented rookie)/Swift(who doesn't fit there). Shoulda re-signed LoWright, their frontcourt doesn't even have much depth.

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

TheJoker said:

He'd have some rust, sure, but you expect that to last for five months? That's ridiculous and unrealistic.

Unless it's in March/April and a team is trying to make the playoffs or is a .500 team at the time, then it's a big loss. But missing over 1 month in the first two months of the season, isn't a huge loss for the team or any team.

I highly doubt the Kings will be fighting with the Grizzlies for a playoff spot. Regardless of this happening, or how long Gasol is out. But, of course we've already discussed that multiple times in the past.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

BMiller52 said:

Yep, agreed... can't see them doing much especially if Gasol misses a month and if he comes back he won't be guaranteed to be his ownself

i think Jerry West wants the Grizzles to head to a different direction and "hope" Gay develops into a star in the future so there willing to sacrifice a season or 2 to make that happen.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

Kings113 said:

The Grizzles "LOST" Depth. losing LoWright/BoJax/Battier is gonna hurt them. now that they have lost there best player for the 1st month of the season...who's gonna bring a much needed extra depth to the table? the Grizzles are not that good this year and i highly doubt they will hold back Gay's development just to make the 1st round and get sweeped. Jerry West is hoping for the future not right now and to make that happen they have to let Gay develop slowly but quickly so they can get a Star to team-up with Pau.

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

TheJoker said:

Of course he won't be his old-self initially. But back to my original question (which was not answered); Under the case Pau is going to miss 3 months and come back in late November/early December, you expect Pau to be rusty and ineffective for the rest of the season?

Explain how that is realistic.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

Kings113 said:

Because the injury is SERIOUS and these kind of injurys take time for the players to adjust to it and comeback healthy and 'ready' to go. if Gasol comes back in December for Exaple it will likely take him 3-4 weeks to comeback to his oldself. and you're telling me the Grizzles have that many depth to survive without Gasol for a month and a rusty Gasol? not a chance.

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

TheJoker said:

Yeah, I know it's serious, but even if he's not his old self for that area of time, he'd still be able to play above-average because of the player he is.

Who knows how long he'd be rusty.

But under that, I completely disagree with you. So we agree to disagree.

TheJoker said:

I disagree West wants them to head in a new direction. How can they if they're in semi-rebuilding mode right now anyway?

If Gasol doesn't miss a lot of the season, they're still going to be expected to be in the playoff picture and fight for the 8th spot.

Eddie Jones/Mike Miller/Damon Stoudamire/Stromile Swift/Gasol/Chucky Atkins/improved Big Jake/Mike Fratello, along with some nice young players; Aren't going to be expected to have no shot of being involved with the playoffs. That's an above-average team at best.

TheJoker said:

Yeah, I know they lost depth. Losing those players lessens them as a team significantly overall with Gasol or without Gasol for a period of time.

It's not official or confirmed how long Gasol is out.

I already commented earlier on who'll fill in for Gasol up front. Which is fine for just a month or so in the beginning of the season.Then you have Miker Miller/Eddie Jones/Damon Stoudamire/Chucky Atkins who would step up offensively as the main guys. Stromile Swift/Dahntay Jones would be the next level of offense at 6-12 PPG. Possibly Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry to contribute also.

Gay is most likely going to start at SF, or at least get 23-25 MPG in some form.

I completely disagree again, that if Gasol isn't out for a long while, they're just going to mail the season in, and go for the lottery and look to the 07-08 season.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

We always agree to disagree 113 thats how we are. thats whats makes us so special

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

TheJoker said:

Actually, we don't.

BMiller52 · Sep 3, 2006

Dude, if the grizz are without Gasol 1-1 1/2 of a month they're seriously in trouble. Because you know when he comes back he'll be rusty for atleast 3-4 weeks. They don't have the depth to survive that. Their 2nd best player is recovering from a mangled knee and their 3rd best player is a rookie. Eddie Jones is practically a fossil in NBA years and even though he'll be a significant contributer he won't be the main scorer or the defender he's been the last couple of years.

Not only was Pau their best offensive player he was their defensive anchor and best rebounder too. He was their best player at basically everything, they're probably going to suck the first two months of the season. By then they should be below .500 by quite a bit.

TheJoker · Sep 3, 2006

Yep, atleast Grizzle fans can look forward to Gay, plus if they go to the Lottery atleast they have something to look forward to since the 2007 Draft will be one of the best in the past 10-15 years.

Bricklayer · Sep 3, 2006

We'll have to see about the Grizz -- they haven't lost THAT much depth. Pretty much Wright --> Swift, Battier --> Gay, Bobby -->Atkins. Which actualy in terms of potential might give them more depth, not less. But the Gasol, injury could sink them.

Hornets are poised to take their spot, but if Houston stays healthy, they probably beat them both. Yao came into his own int he second half of the year last year, bring back TMac and add Battier and that's a powerful core.

Packt · Sep 3, 2006

They could be an athletic, uptempo team, but I don't know if Fratello would play them that way. That would be the only way I see them holding things down until Gasol gets back. They would have a better chance if Damon was his old self. It's going to be tough coming back from the injury he suffered last year, if he even plays.

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

Bricklayer said:

Spot on.

Packt said:

Actually, from reading around the Grizz R-GM board, I have heard they want to play more uptempo. Most of their roster suits that.

Kings113 · Sep 3, 2006

"So much for the Grizzlies getting off to a fast start to the 2006-07 season. The prospect of that lessened Saturday given All-Star forward Pau Gasol could be unable to play for up to three months with a partial fracture in his left foot sustained early Friday in the semifinals of the world championships in Japan."

"Gasol will require surgery following an examination by the team's doctor. "Is this the same thing that happened two years ago?," Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello said Saturday. "You have to get him back and let our people look at him."

"If the Grizzlies' diagnosis is the same as Spain's, then Gasol's injury (fractures of the fifth metatarsal) is something from which he can recover and resume playing at a high level. Just ask Grizzlies president Jerry West. He suffered the same injury as a prep athlete in West Virginia."

"You're losing an all-star player, a guy capable of getting double-doubles and who was playing very well in the tournament," Fratello said. "It leaves a tremendous hole at the four and five positions. Obviously, other people have to be ready to assume more of a responsibility with this."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4965600,00.html

TheJoker · Sep 4, 2006

Grizzles are done.

BMiller52 · Sep 4, 2006

Kings113 said:

I couldn't really find anything about that on the Grizz R-GM board. I'm not really sure what you mean unless you're just talking about Swift, Gay, and Warrick. Gasol is actually athletic too for a 7 footer but his foot is broken and I'm talking about while he's out. Eddie Jones isn't really all that athletic anymore. Stoudamire's a question mark with the mangled knee. Atkins is a chucker. Mike Miller is more of a shooter/ballhandler IMO. Big Jake is their only center and he's not athletic(I don't think so anyway). I just can't really picture Fratello playin up tempo.

IMO we should trade Kenny+Pot for Stro. We'd shed a bit of salary and get the shotblocker we want. Stro would thrive playing next to passers like Bibby, Miller, and Artest. His shotblocking would help cover up Miller and Bibby's bad D and slow rotation. Fratello would like Kenny's effort, rebounding, and man to man D. They'd get Potapenko who's not really good but he's atleast another big body for a coach who loves using the bench. Mutually beneficial trade IMO.

Kings113 · Sep 4, 2006

Well, I'm not sure if it's just lately. I just remember reading it on occasion from visiting there over time. I just read some various posts when I do.

Up-tempo? I think they well could. Warrick, Swift, Gay, Mike Miller (in the form of a ballhandler, shooter, slasher, rebounder), Damon Stoudamire (I think he'll be alright with his rehab, and is a good shooter), Kyle Lowry, Dahntay Jones (an underrated player IMO, a damn good athlete who is a pretty good slasher, good defender), Eddie Jones (while not what he was and is older, he showed last season he's still an above-average wing-player). Atkins? He's not slow and isn't a bad shooter. Pau? Who knows right now. Big Jake? Nope, but he's a center and inside presence. Lawerence Roberts? Sure, at least until Pau's fully back. Alexander Johnson? If gets any time, sure. Cardinal? He's obviously not an athlete, but any team needs a team-player like him, plus he's a reliable shooter.

Regardless, the Grizz, for the season, I think are going to be an above-average team in the playoff picture.

Getting Swift? I'd be into that. Aside from his negatives, he's a good athlete, good shotblocker, great energy player. Muss knows him, and Ron would rub off on him.

Bricklayer · Sep 4, 2006

So let's just say the Griz are roughly their normal +.500-but-nothing-special while completely healthy. Then they go a month or so without Pau, maybe going 6-8 or 8-11 or some such over that stretch. That's not the end of the world. Maybe shave a few games off their win total, might even be the difference between them slipping in as a #8 or being nipped at the wire by one of the other playoff contenders (which is virtually everybody in the West this year). But it hardly tanks the whole season for them. The real key will be if he can come back 100% healthy. If he can, they should be ok.

AriesMar27 · Sep 4, 2006

Kings113 said:

yeah... thats my job....

Kings113 · Sep 4, 2006

AriesMar27 said:

Actually, we don't, either.

TheJoker · Sep 5, 2006

LINK

He pretty much admits there season is done but he insists that it will be tough without Pau for the first couple of months and the team will probably not recover once he gets back. it sucks for the fans but atleast they can look forward to Rudy Gay and potential a good pick next year in the draft

Gargamel · Sep 5, 2006

Kings113 said:

Yeah, but he's probably going to start off slow and he'll miss training camp. Could take awhile longer for them to get back to where they once belonged.

Kings113 · Sep 7, 2006

Memphis Commercial Appeal - With surgery to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal scheduled for Friday in Memphis, Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol was in good spirits Wednesday and provided the most optimistic view heard yet about his pending recovery.

His stated goal is to return to the court in time for the start of the NBA regular season.

"From what I'm told, (the rehabilitation) is supposed to be 11/2 to 2 months. I want to be back and helping my team before training camp is over," Gasol said from Barcelona, where he prepared for a flight to Memphis. "I know I'm going to have to work hard on my rehab. But I'm going to do whatever it takes. That's why I'm coming back so quickly to have the surgery."

Gasol is expected to arrive in town today, and undergo surgery Friday afternoon at the Campbell Clinic.

The Griz are required to report 25 days later. Their season-opener against New York in FedExForum is 54 days removed from surgery.

"I know it won't be easy," Gasol said. "I know it's a process. But I always try to be positive. I hope to rejoin them midway through the preseason."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4974080,00.html

Gasol to have surgery...

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