Delfino grinds away, shows signs of progress

CORDOBA (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - If there were a 'Comeback Player of the Summer' award to be handed out, Carlos Delfino would have a great chance to win it.

The Argentina sharpshooter, injured and out of action since the 2013 NBA play-offs, was a late inclusion to his country's Olympic squad several weeks ago after convincing coach Sergio Hernandez that he had recovered from the broken foot that had sidelined him for so long.

Now the 33-year-old is showing he's not just going to be making up the numbers in the 12-man roster. He's going to contribute at the Rio de Janeiro Games in a big way.

In Argentina's 79-74 warm-up game triumph over Serbia on Saturday in Cordoba, Delfino played more than 24 minutes and had 20 points. He was 6 of 11 from the floor and 5 of 8 from the arc.

"I am very happy," he said. "Another day of work, another step forward."

Delfino was also honest in his assessment as to where he is in his comeback.

"I lack air, rhythm, playing time - it's been three years," he said. "You try to disguise the situation. (But) We played four games in five days. My teammates are not feeling it, but I am."

Argentina will play in Group B at the Olympics against Brazil, Croatia, Lithuania, Nigeria and Spain.

FIBA