ESP - Jose Happy, Garba likely out of Olympics

TORONTO (Olympics) - Spain know they’ll have one Toronto Raptor in their line-up this summer when they go for gold at the Beijing Games with playmaker Jose Calderon set to start for the national team again.

However, Pepu Hernandez is almost certain to be without Jorge Garbajosa following his season of inactivity with the Raptors after an operation on his leg at the start of the campaign.

“I think it’s a safe assumption to say that Garbajosa will not be playing in the Olympics as long as he’s under contract with us,” said Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

“I know I’m not making many people in Spain happy but, that’s a safe assumption.

“I think he is accepting of his current state, which is one of uncertainty, and he knows now more than ever that this is a situation he needs to handle with great care.”

Toronto have a team option on Garbajosa’s contract. The club is currently in litigation with the Spanish Basketball Federation over an insurance issue that arose after last year’s EuroBasket when Garbajosa helped Spain capture a silver medal.

For Calderon, there is great uncertainty over his future in Toronto despite his all-star level of play.

Calderon is extremely happy in the city and insists his only concern is to play for a winner, but he has had to surrender his starting place in the line-up to TJ Ford once the latter returned from injury.

The Spanish ace has spent three years with the Raptors, and other clubs can now bid for his services.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Calderon said. “When the time arrives, they’ll say what they can offer me and then I’ll decide.

“I’d love to come back. It was a great three years. When I arrived here, I didn’t know anyone. Right now, I feel like I need to do something for the team.

“I want to win. I don’t want to be a star or no star. I want to win, win a championship. It’s a team sport.”

The main concern for the Raptors has been whether Calderon and Ford can co-exist.

Ford said he wanted to start, which is why the Raptors asked Calderon to sacrifice his place in the line-up despite his terrific play.

Calderon says he has no problems at all with Ford.

“I respect his (Ford’s) opinion,” Calderon said.

“We were great partners. I feel like I am Jose, I know my job and every minute I’m on the court, I’ll work hard. I want to be on a winning team.

“And to have a winning team, you have to fight for minutes.”

Does he want to return to Toronto?

“Why not?” Calderon said. “We’re going to be a better team. You are always going to have competition for your place. Everything will be alright. I don’t know if the Raptors will match the offer I will receive, but I’m happy here.”

FIBA