The Jorge Garbajosa saga continues to bode poorly for NBA-FIBA relations, as the Raptors have sued the Spanish basketball federation over an insurance pay-out tied to Garbo's injury and subsequent appearance on behalf of Spain in the 2007 European Championship.Garbo's broke his leg last spring and missed the Raptors postseason. The franchise and player battled over treatment -- the Raps requested a second surgery, Garbo insisted he'd be well enough without it to play for Spain in August. At the last minute, Spanish basketball agreed to cover Jorge's NBA contract with an insurance policy for any injuries sustained in the tourney. Garbajosa made it through FIBA Europe, but the leg became a major problem (again) early this season, forcing another surgery (which is what the Raps wanted last summer) and causing Garbo's season to end.
It appears Spain hasn't paid out on that policy. Without finding word from Spanish media on their side of the story, it would appear the federation will argue the further injury to Garbo's leg came during the NBA season and not as a result of FIBA play. The specific details of the insurance policy (and final agreement between franchise and federation) were not clear in August, and remain that way today.
Hate to say I told you so. No one can fault Garbajosa's pride in country -- patriotism and spirit of brotherhood are noble qualities. But he and the Spanish federation created a vortex of distrust which could have serious, serious repercussions going forward.
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