Injuries marring NBA seasons for non-U.S. Olympians - USATODAY.com Injuries marring NBA seasons for non-U.S. Olympians
By Chris Colston
Non-U.S. Olympians haven't fared as well this NBA season as U.S. players who competed in Beijing. Seven of the 16 have been out hurt. The rundown:
Argentina
•Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs) missed the first 12 NBA games after offseason ankle surgery. He aggravated an ankle injury at the Olympics. …Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls) has not missed a game. Fabricio Oberto (Spurs) played sparingly and has missed 15 games because of an irregular heartbeat and a sore foot. …Luis Scola (Houston Rockets) has not missed a game.
Australia
•Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee Bucks), who missed time with a bruised knee and back spasms, is out at least eight weeks with a back injury.
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China
•Yao Ming (Rockets) has been dogged by injuries in the past but this season has missed only three games. …Yi Jianlian (New Jersey Nets) has been out since Jan. 9 with a broken right pinkie but is expected back after the break. He previously had a strained neck and a sore foot.
Croatia
•Roko Ukic (Toronto Raptors) has played 45 games as a reserve.
Germany
•Chris Kaman (Los Angeles Clippers) has been out since Nov. 26 with a foot injury. …Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), out only one game, is having another All-Star season.
Lithuania
•Linas Kleiza (Denver Nuggets) has not missed a game.
Russia
•Andrei Kirilenko (Utah Jazz) has not played since Jan. 20 because of an ankle injury.
Spain
•Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers) has missed only one game. …Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers) has missed two. …Jose Calderon (Raptors) has missed 14 with an ongoing hamstring injury. …Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) hasn't missed.