Jorge Garbajosa's Ankle Isn't Supposed to Bend Like That

Text Size A A A

While not quite as gruesome as Shaun Livingston's knee injury (which, in an eerie coincidence, happened exactly one month ago to the day), Jorge Garbajosa's ankle injury on Monday night certainly ranks up there. You may not think it's that bad at first, but that's probably because you're not getting the right angle on it -- fortunately, the first slow motion replay shows it pretty good (or bad, depending on your point of view).

I'm guessing it was even more disgusting up close -- watch teammate Jose Calderon's reaction as soon as he sees it. He does a double-take and then immediately motions to the bench. Al Jefferson's reaction once he finally notices is even more telling -- he immediately cringes and looks away. After the game, Jefferson had this to say:

"I really thought he broke his leg," Jefferson said. "We bumped, my leg hit his leg, and I looked down and he was all twisted up. He was screaming, and I could feel his pain."

Not surprisingly, someone quickly put a towel over Garbajosa's ankle as he was being tended to on the floor and then as he was carted off the court -- you don't want to subject fans sitting up close to something like that. The announcer guessed that he dislocated his ankle, which, considering the fact that bones were definitely not where they were supposed to be, I'd say sounds about right. Needless to say, whatever the official diagnosis is, it's safe to rule out him playing again this season and probably even the playoffs.

The timing of the injury couldn't be any worse for the Raptors -- they've already lost Andrea Bargnani following an appendectomy for at least the next couple of weeks and had been relying on Garbajosa to provide extra big man minutes. Now, as the team heads into the stretch run before the playoffs, the bench will be tested more than ever. Morris Peterson seems like a fit for the starting lineup, but you never know given his inconsistent playing time of late. But no matter what, it'll be near impossible to replace the presence that Garbajosa, a smart player who does a little of everything, brought to the court.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-27-2007 @ 9:41AM

DM said...

This is what Raptors and their Canadian fans get for over bashing Vince. Karma.

3-27-2007 @ 11:40AM

Jeff W said...

Interesting take, DM (Donyell Marshall? Is that you?). Perhaps not coincidentally that Garbajosa wears number 15. The Carter Curse? Not that I believe in stuff like that...

3-27-2007 @ 11:41AM

crew said...

how can you call it 'over-bashing'? what vince did was unprecedented, no athlete (at least none that comes to mind) has ever pulled off what he did. it's not like vince sat out and demanded a trade (which always sucks, but unfortunately has become the norm); he admittedly tanked on his team, and when his teammates stepped it up and made up for his lack of effort he told opposing teams (sonics) how to defend against the plays they were running to insure they'd lose. obviously we all know he gave the team no choice but to trade him for whatever 'value' they could scrape up, but he took a reasonably young playoff team and set them back 3 years with no regard for the players, the fans, or anyone but himself ... and it's not like he didn't know how everyone was going to react, he was present when mcgrady lied to everyone about his contract and then jumped ship, in fact vince ended their friendship over it.

vince is a sick basketball player, but hes a joke as a human being. he's the anti-garbajosa

3-27-2007 @ 12:37PM

Matt said...

Dear DM:

You're a sick person. How can you take joy in someone else's pain?

I assume you are NJ fan, and all I can say is, enjoy your season, you jerk.

Matt

3-27-2007 @ 12:55PM

Like I said, bad karma. After almost 3 years since Vince left toronto, He's moved on, toronto raptors fans hasn't.

And as for the "Vince is a joke as a human being" comment, Toronto may have forgotten Vince's impact there while he was there, not to mention his contribution to charity. Last time I check while he was in toronto, Vince held charity games every summer/off season.

To his credit, it was Vince who put Toronto Raptors on the map, he led the raptors to it's first playoff appearance, he led them 2, 3 times.

Do u think that franchise could have lasted that long if it weren't for Vince? If Vince had never played for toronto, do u think they could've waited almost 12 years to make it to their first playoff appearance since the franchise's inception?

3-27-2007 @ 12:57PM

To matt,

By the way, I'm not a Nets fan, just giving my opinion. Sorry jerk.

3-27-2007 @ 1:25PM

Steve said...

Unbeleivable Ignorance... Saying that Garbo deserved to break his ankle because Toronto fans don't want a premadonna playing for them.. Think again genius, or should I just say... think..

3-27-2007 @ 1:37PM

Andrew said...

Saying a horrific injury like that is somehow deserved is a stupid, sadistic comment. Nobody deserves to be hurt like this.

As for Vince, he was adored in Toronto before he tanked his way out of town. The anger lingers because he was so loved and because his exit was so shameful. If there�s any karma at play it�s that Vince is watching his former team walk away with the division.

3-27-2007 @ 3:48PM

go_edmonton said...

DM you jerk. How can you say that someone could possibly deserver to get hurt like that?! You obviously have no empathy and enjoy watching people getting hurt. (either that or you're just jealous that someone out there is more talented than you)

3-27-2007 @ 3:55PM

DM,

No ones forgetting that Vince was a great player and solid citizen the first 5 years or so that he was here, he was adored by everyone and we made sure he knew it. However, he chose extreme self-indulgence over adulation and team play and these are the consequences.

Saying that a player throwing a charity game once a year exults him from any and all further scrutiny is a ridiculous concept.

And suggesting that the raptors wouldn't be here with Vince's contribution is an absolute blanket statement that goes to show the lack understanding you have for the toronto basketball climate. The raptors have been in the top 60% of NBA league attendance for over a decade, this includes since the years vince left and the team's record was in shambles. Ironicly, the New Jersey Nets, even with vince around to help "put their franchise on the map" have been behind toronto every single year since the trade.

Your opinions are poorly researched and based solely on uniformed hunches, and sadly you probably represent the majority of current sports fans. It is no wonder why all-star voting has turned in such a debacle. Though, I'm sure Shaq did appreciate your votes this year.

3-27-2007 @ 4:56PM

coach said...

ist bargnani's appendectomy.
2nd garbo's season ending injury .

what's next ? if i'm chris bosh , i will be take it easy when we play shaq and miami this wednesday .

3-28-2007 @ 2:39AM

sup said...

How is Vince Carter related to this thing? The main point of the article is that the Raptors lost a key player. One whose contributions can't be seen through stats.

Jorge Garbajosa did nothing to deserve such a horrific injury. Who the hell believes in karma anyway?

3-28-2007 @ 9:18AM

GM said...

Vince Carter was a national hero for all Canadian Hoopsters. The dude wasn't a Canadian, but we idolized him and the ground he walked on - Then VC took a pass. We never quit, we still worshipped him, we paid him more than he was worth, we did everything. VC quit on Toronto, not the other way around! We who paid hundreds of dollars to see this "Half-Man, Half-Amazing" got peanuts in return. "I'll never dunk again, I don't want to do it" We've moved on more than DM or anyone will ever know - We'll continue to boo Vince, but only cause he's a Net - If he moves to a non-divisional team next year, we'll probably stop booing him, when the Nets fans start to boo him! The Raptors can be accused of a lot of things along the way, poor drafts, poor signings, VERY poor re-signings etc, but the fans never did or will do anything more than cheer for the team that they are given - Unlike most of the teams in the NBA, we're behind the Rappies winning season or not - and we actually don't fluff our attendance numbers!

3-28-2007 @ 9:36AM

DM,

No ones forgetting that Vince was a great player and solid citizen the first 5 years or so that he was here, he was adored by everyone and we made sure he knew it. However, he chose extreme self-indulgence over adulation and team play and these are the consequences.

Saying that a player throwing a charity game once a year exults him from any and all further scrutiny is a ridiculous concept.

And suggesting that the raptors wouldn't be here without Vince's contribution is an absolute blanket statement that goes to show the lack of understanding you have for the toronto basketball climate. The raptors have been well within the top 60% of NBA league attendance for over a decade, this is including the years since vince left and the team's record was in shambles. Ironically, the New Jersey Nets, even with vince around to help "put their franchise on the map" have been behind toronto in attendance every single year since the trade happened. Do I think the fans could have waited 12 years for a playoff team? Well, since the same fans have waited over 40 years for the Maple Leafs to do something, I'm assuming 12 would be a walk in the park. This is of course based on the ridiculous assumption that the raptors wouldn't have had any better draft positions, or a better chance at re-signing mcgrady and making him the franchise guy.

Your opinions are poorly researched and based solely on uniformed hunches, and sadly you probably represent the majority of current sports fans. It is no wonder why all-star voting has turned in such a debacle. Take some solace though, I'm sure Shaq really appreciated your votes this year.

3-28-2007 @ 11:02AM

Brendan said...

This game will live on my HD DVR in perpituity.

1. Rondo dunking on Bosh. Priceless.
2. This injury, specifically AJ's reaction to it. (No I'm not happy he got injured, but it makes a memorable clip.)

-A Celtics Fan

p.s. considering Toronto fans use "the shocker" to mock GG (who is missing a finger on his right hand) - they generally have no standing to make class arguments, regardless of the appropriateness (or lack there of) of DM's comment(s).

3-29-2007 @ 11:24AM

CC said...

DM don't know anything about sports LOL.

Raptor's have made it to the playoffs before. Oviously they are way bettor off WITHOUT Vince. DIVSION CHAMPIONS own New Jersey.

DM arguement is Vince is a great player. No $H1T Sherlock, we all know that. That doesn't make up for the fact that he's a Backstabbing Pu$$y Cry Baby don't poke me in the eye or I'm out for the season b!tch. Nice Superstar you defend there DM. Good job noob.