No "significant" damage to Bargnani, Raptors say

It probably depends on your definition of “significant” but the first medical indication of the seriousness of Andrea Bargnani’s calf injury has to be seen as at least a little good news for the Raptors.

According to a statement issued by the team in Denver on Friday morning, tests done Thursday “revealed no significant damage to the calf.”

That said, it’s unclear when Bargnani might be able to play again; he is “expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time” according to the release.

Bargnani was hurt in the first of two overtime periods in a game at Utah on Wednesday night. He missed six games earlier this season with a strain of the same calf muscle.

It’s unclear who’ll start in his place – Ed Davis got the call the last time he was hurt – and coach Dwane Casey should address the issue later Friday afternoon when the team completes its game-day shootaround at the Pepsi Center before Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

 

 

 

Comments

[David]

What about Kleiza? Ed hasn't played well in his last few games...and Kleiza came off a monster game the other night. Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: Linas is best a 3 and, yes, he had one good game the other night. Not something I would consider

[The J]

I hope they take there time with him this time. I'm not trying to imply the quick return lead to the re-injury, but it never hurts to rest it up as much as possible. It's been a lot of fun to watch him come into his own, and I was hoping he could even make the all star game. But in truth, whether you are on team tank, or team I hate tanking, wins and losses don't really matter. Maybe this will be more development time for others. Maybe Ed Davis might finally get out of his sophmore funk.

That being said, games are going to go back to being awful to watch for a while. Well at least we had that two game west-coast tease.

[GM]

In basketball, you ride the hot hand until it cools down. So in this case, it's Kleiza. Yeah, it was only one game, but throw him out there and see if he can continue against his old team and old coach. Ed Davis is bigger, but is he better at any one thing that Kleiza? Is his check going to score less? Is he going to score more? I doubt it. Kleiza at least has the advantage on offense when big clumsy 4s have to go out and try to check him on the perimeter.

[Zach]

The word "indefinitely" always scares me. I'm never sure if it means "we just haven't set a timetable yet" or "God only knows when he'll be back".

Sometimes I think the NBA would benefit from using the MLB's format of 15-day DL or 60-day DL. At least then, there is an expectation of a minimum length of the injury. "He's gone for at least 2 weeks. Talk to us in 2 weeks."

When you say "indefinitely", it could be tomorrow, it could be next week, it could be next season. And the fun part is... we get to ask Doug everyday for an update!

[JHK]

Not sure what other choice they have but to go with Ed Davis.
Amir is prone to foul and Kleiza/JJ play better at 3.

[Dave]

Blogger's note: Linas is best a 3 and, yes, he had one good game the other night. Not something I would consider.

I think they should consider it. I know this year is about developing Ed and other young guys. However, Ed can't shoot. He can only throw up something inside 5 feet. He can't grab the ball on rebounds - he only plays volleyball with it. They need some scoring from somewhere. Maybe Ed can develop better playing against other back-ups. I think Kleiza is worth a try. Everything can be changed the next game. Plus, this is a game against his former team.

Blogger's note: Dwane may very well

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Significant news on "no significant damage". Wouldn't this be a great time for DeRoz and ED to find a way to bring it up a couple of notches?
Okay, a little something off the wall in consideration of the big pucks weekend here in the old O Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV0KeMrIOu4
Cheers. Go Raps, eh!