Italy Sweat Over Bargnani Health
07.08.2013
EUROBASKET 2013

7. Andrea Bargnani (Italy)
Andrea Bargnani has become ill on the eve of Italy's first warm up game ahead of EuroBasket

Italy are playing their first friendly game on Wednesday night, in Trento against Georgia, but on Tuesday they learnt that neither Andrea Bargnani nor Achille Polonara will be taking to the court.

Bargnani has had to stop any training activity, as he contracted a respiratory system infection, has high fever and is undergoing therapy.

Although speculation about the big man's recovery times is rife, there is no indication right now to suggest his participation at the EuroBasket is under jeopardy.

The New York Knicks player however will definitely not overcome the infection by the time the curtain comes down on the Trentino Basket Cup tournament, so he will also not play against Israel or Poland, Italy's next opponents after their premiere with Georgia.

"The absence of Andrea Bargnani because of this fever is one more problem in our preparations," Italy coach Simone Pianigiani said.

"It disrupts our technical process by not allowing us to make use of options that only a center with the characteristics of 'il Mago' [Bargnani] can give us.

"We are a bit disappointed and a bit angry, but at the same time the positive spirit that we have constructed on the court during training camp will have to become more concrete in Trento with a good attitude."

Polonara on the other hand has picked up an ankle injury and will not recover in time to play at EuroBasket and Pianigiani has released him from the preliminary squad.

The young forward, who was voted as the best U21 player in the Serie A last season and had a very good showing with play-off finalists Varese this year, was hoping to play in his first major tournament with the senior national team in Slovenia.

Polonara's absence is added to those of Danilo Gallinari, who tore his ACL in NBA action last spring, and Daniel Hackett, who decided to not participate at the EuroBasket with Italy.

The Azzuri were drawn into First Round Group D at the EuroBasket, together with Greece, Russia, Sweden, Finland and Turkey.
http://www.eurobasket2013.org/en/coid_6hlGORFNIHsCd,n5BZJ2r2.articleMode_on.html

Nalod wrote:Did Bargs hang with Tyson recently?

With Flu Tyson and Flu Bargs on the team we might want to sign 2 of the suns medical staff with the last two roster spots and issue Knicks branded hazmat suits to every team member.

EnySpree wrote:dude gotta bad cold...a zpak, advil and some mucinex with antihistamine and he should be good in a week

Tylenol Mulitsympton

NYKBocker wrote:Bargs just needs a visit from his Lebanese-Columbian supermodel girlfriend.

Nawal Ayoub

If that's not a pick me up, then he's dead.

gunsnewing wrote:

EnySpree wrote:dude gotta bad cold...a zpak, advil and some mucinex with antihistamine and he should be good in a week

Tylenol Mulitsympton

It's official he fits right in with rest of the Knicks.

Clean wrote:

nixluva wrote:Knicks fans are a funny bunch. Actually just as bad as Jets fans. Only irrational and self hating fans could be down on a player due to Virus or Bacteria, which very few humans have resistance to. It's just silly. It's not a very controllable thing. It's not like you can see viruses in order to stay away from them! I've had an upper respiratory infection and it's a very tough thing to get over. The bad part is how it effects your breathing. Really bad for an athlete. I hope he recovers soon. These chest infections can lead to Walking Pneumonia if you aren't careful.

I don't want to speak for other people, but I think they we were all joking.

I hope so.