Injured Jazz guard John Stockton says he plans to be back with the U.S. Olympic basketball team when it goes to Barcelona later this month, and doctors say if he does, he doesn't risk further injury to his broken leg.
Stockton, attending physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, USBA team physician Dr. David Fischer and USAB spokesman Craig Miller attended a Tuesday evening press conference in Portland to discuss Stockton's injury - an undisplaced fracture of the right fibula. Stockton is expected to be out at least two weeks, after which a decision will be made on whether he can return to action.Although the injury can be painful, said Fischer, Stockton is in no danger of further injury. "This kind of injury can be painful for some time. It could take weeks for the pain to disappear, but it is up to John on whether or not he is able
to participate. Playing does not further the injury. It is just up to the player on how much pain he can play with," Fischer said.
Given Stockton's history, the answer to whether Stockton will play is obvious. He has missed only four regular-season games in eight seasons in the league. "My plans are now to play," said Stockton. "I heal quickly and I stay in good shape and I will stay in good shape. With the medical team in Utah and my conditioning, I plan to be in Barcelona."
He said though he "wouldn't do anything to endanger my career," if the only factor is pain, "I can play through that."
Fischer added that Stockton can continue to do conditioning work.
Following the Tournament of the Americas, Stockton will return to Utah. Jazz officials were trying Tuesday to reach the team's orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Mason, who was out of town on vacation. Meanwhile, Lombardo said the decision on Stockton is up to him and Jazz physicians. "John's return will be up to John and the Utah Jazz team physicians. Playing would not hurt his recovery time. It is just up to John."
Stockton, who will return to Utah after the Tournament, said he didn't remember exactly how the injury happened, but videotaped replays confirmed it was a collision with teammate Michael Jordan. "I do remember Jordan came out of nowhere, which he does a lot, very fast and he caught me with his knee. It hurt, but I just thought it was one of those slight muscle injuries that you get all the time and that I could work it out by running. When I came back down the floor I realized that it wasn't going to work itself out," he said.
"When I got to the bench I thought it was just a charlie horse. That is why I was trying to run it off next to the bench and in the hallway. We took X-rays just as a formality. They then proved to be positive. It was my first broken bone."
Fischer added that the injury was atypical for basketball players, but a common football injury.
Should Stockton not be able to play in Barcelona, a six-person committee - including head coach Chuck Daly and his three assistance - will select a replacement. A decision must be made by July 15.