McDonald: Oberto Out With Heart Ailment

[duncan228]

Jeff McDonald: Oberto out with heart ailment (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/10/jeff_mcdonald_o_3.html)

Spurs center Fabricio Oberto will not be available for tonight's game against the Suns after a recurrence of the same heart irregularity that sidelined him in 2007.

The condition, in which the heart beats out of rhythm, is called atrial fibrillation. Oberto was out a total of four days during his previous bout with the ailment, which required an electric shock to correct.

It is not immediately clear how long the 33-year-old Oberto will be out this time. What is clear is that he won't play tonight.

It leaves the Spurs' already thin front line even thinner heading into a battle with Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudamire and the Suns. With Ian Mahinmi out with a sprained ankle and Anthony Tolliver still on leave following the death of his mother, the Spurs will face Phoenix with a rotation of three big men -- Tim Duncan, Kurt Thomas and Matt Bonner.

[BronxCowboy]

Ouch . . . I guess we'll see some foul trouble tonight. Best wishes to Oberto.

[Texas_Ranger]

That sucks:( Het healthy soon Fab!!.....I gues Timmy will play 45 minutes....

[Obstructed_View]

Glad I blew my vBookie money already. :pctoss

[Dex]

Like it or not, get ready for Bonner time tonight.

At least Fab is half useless without Ginobili in the game anyway.

[Dex]

Glad I blew my vBookie money already. :pctoss

You think Oberto is the deciding factor against the Suns?

[tav1]

Wow. I hope Oberto is okay. If this is only a few games, it's no big deal. Pop will just play Udoka at the 4 in small ball sets and coach the way he always does.

If it is extend beyond a few games, this could also provide Mahinmi a chance to get some playing time. Although you wish it were under different circumstances.

[Obstructed_View]

You think Oberto is the deciding factor against the Suns?

With a 3 point spread and this rotation of bigs? Absolutely. Oberto gets cheap buckets and offensive boards, and there's already two guys out from the front line. The only thing missing from tonight's Spurs line up is the yellow brick road.

[FromWayDowntown]

Small Ball City here we come.

Can't wait to see Finley and Udoka mix it up with Amare.

[ElNono]

Like it or not, get ready for Bonner time tonight.

He's going to be in foul trouble no matter who he guards. I fully expect to see small ball, with Udoka guarding Amare for stretches... I think we're gonna get obliterated... but you never know, that's why they play the games.

[Biggems]

Oberto hurt
Ian hurt
Thomas hurt

what a way to start the season

At least we have Duncan, Bonner, and Tolliver healthy.

I think that Oberto should consider retirement, cause this is the second season he has had this issue, but I am sure he has had it even before that. I think he should just quit and worry about enjoying the rest of his life and his family. I am talking like this, because I do not know how serious this condition is. I do know that I do not want to see another Hank Gathers or Reggie Lewis incident.

[ElNono]

Small Ball City here we come.

Can't wait to see Finley and Udoka mix it up with Amare.

LOL!! Stop reading my mind!

[ElNono]

Oh, and cue in the 'Why we didn't keep Hairston!!!' crybabies now...

[ElNono]

This is an article from last year when he had this same incident:

Web Posted: 05/24/2007 2:00 CDT
Oberto overcomes heart ailment to become a postseason contributor for Spurs

Reboot. That was the word that made Fabricio Oberto pause.
Oberto hadn't been too concerned about the soreness in his chest. What NBA center doesn't get whacked in the sternum a couple of times a game?

Nor was Oberto fretting the next day when he told Spurs trainer Will Sevening he felt jittery. After Sevening took his pulse and said they were going to visit a cardiologist for more tests, he still didn't see reason to be worried.

The doctor told Oberto his heart rate was out of rhythm. Even then Oberto had only one question: How do we get it back in rhythm?

Reboot it, said the doctor. Oberto understood enough English to know what that meant.

"With a computer, you have to reboot," Oberto said. "They have to shut it off."

Oberto laughs now when he tells the story. The procedure was routine, or as routine as any heart procedure can be.

Oberto was back on the court for the start of the playoffs within four days. Five weeks later, he's helped push the Spurs within two victories of the NBA Finals.

With Oberto scoring 14 points and taking seven rebounds in each of the first two games of the Western Conference finals, the Spurs' Big Three has expanded to the Fab Four.

"For somebody who can't jump over a line, Fab is phenomenal," Robert Horry said. "He plays so hard for us. He never gets enough credit for the little things he does out there."

Oberto now has the attention of the Utah Jazz, assuming they've located him. He's made 12 of 15 shots, only one of which wasn't a layup or dunk, by repeatedly slipping behind Utah's defense.

"He's always in the right position at the right time," Tony Parker said, "and we're finding him."

Oberto was even easier to spot a year ago: He was usually sitting near the end of the bench. He appeared in only seven of the Spurs' 13 playoff games for an average of 4.9 minutes.

With Horry, Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic ahead of him, Oberto used last season to learn the Spurs' system, adjust to his new teammates and work on his shot. His transition was eased by Manu Ginobili, his friend and Argentine teammate.

"He was unbelievable, being so patient after all he accomplished overseas," Ginobili said. "He never got upset at anybody. He kept working hard and people in Argentina were kind of pressuring him, saying, 'Why aren't you playing? Do you want to go back to Europe? You're a star and you're not playing?'

"He's been amazing. I'm kind of surprised. I think I was even more impatient than him."

Oberto began this season as the Spurs' starting center before coach Gregg Popovich gave Francisco Elson the job for the second half of the schedule.

But with Elson showing his playoff inexperience and Oberto accustomed to playing in pressure-packed games for Argentina, Popovich went back to starting Oberto midway through the Spurs' second-round series against Phoenix.

"This year he feels very comfortable about what he's doing, and he's a real fundamentally sound player," Popovich said. "We just think he understands everything that's going on now."

That has shown the past two games. With the Jazz focused on keeping Parker out of the lane and also worried about Duncan, Oberto has found enough creases in Utah's defense to cut to the rim.

"He's waiting for people to turn their heads," Duncan said. "He's making the right plays."

Oberto has played alongside Ginobili since the two were teenagers. Their familiarity with each other was evident the other night when Ginobili saw Oberto had a lane to the basket then led him there with a crosscourt pass.

"We can look in the eye and read each other like what we're going to do," Oberto said.

While Oberto isn't a scorer — his range doesn't extend too far out of the lane — his passing, screen setting and cutting have been a welcome addition to the Spurs' offense. And though he lacks the size or athleticism to match up with some opposing big men, he's done a credible job of making Jazz forward Carlos Boozer work.

"He plays hard, he plays physical," Parker said. "He's playing like he's not scared."

Few would have blamed Oberto for being frightened last month. After being hit in the neck in a game against Dallas the last week of the regular season, he awoke the next day with a sore chest.

Oberto played against Memphis that night, but when the Spurs met two days later he told Sevening his heart felt accelerated. The trip to the cardiologist revealed the blow to Oberto's neck had somehow triggered an atrial fibrillation.

"The doctor gave me confidence that I would be fine," Oberto said.

While his teammates were closing out the regular season against Denver, Oberto underwent a cardioversion to reset his heart rhythm. He was given anesthesia during the brief procedure, which involved sending an electrical shock to his heart. By the time the Spurs had finished their game he was resting at home.

Three days later, Oberto was practicing. When a team official asked if he would be available the next day for the Spurs' playoff opener, Oberto nodded.

"As long as I have six fouls," he said, "I can play."

[Biggems]

well nix Tolliver.......he is with his family for the first two games, i just read that post....so now we are down to two healthy players...and a gimpy Thomas and Ian...

LOVELY

Watkins sure would be nice right now, at least for the first 3-5 games of the season, until we get all of our horses back.

[Bruno]

Heart troubles are really scary. I hope it's nothing serious like the last time.
In any case, he and Spurs must take the safe route even if it means ending his basketball career.

Sours will be really thin in the paint for the first couple of games. Tolliver will be back for the third and maybe Oberto if it is like last time.

[SenorSpur]

well nix Tolliver.......he is with his family for the first two games, i just read that post....so now we are down to two healthy players...and a gimpy Thomas and Ian...

LOVELY

Watkins sure would be nice right now, at least for the first 3-5 games of the season, until we get all of our horses back.


Amen! :toast

[Indazone]

Throw Mahinmi into the fire!

[FromWayDowntown]

Well, just to get the full run of jinx material out there, Pop has won every season-opening game he's ever coached -- all 11 of them.

[SpursFanFirst]

Glad I blew my vBookie money already. :pctoss

:lol I was thinking the same thing. Luckily, I will only had $25 to bet.

[Dex]

With a 3 point spread and this rotation of bigs? Absolutely. Oberto gets cheap buckets and offensive boards, and there's already two guys out from the front line. The only thing missing from tonight's Spurs line up is the yellow brick road.

:lol

Fair enough. If we had even one more big to play, I'd say it's not a big deal. But considering we're already thinner than McCain's comb over, it's gonna make things tough on our frontline tonight.

[SenorSpur]

:lol

Fair enough. If we had even one more big to play, I'd say it's not a big deal. But considering we're already thinner than McCain's comb over, it's gonna make things tough on our frontline tonight.

Don't forget, we could still be shorthanded on Friday night versus Portland.

I say deactivate Oberto and sign Watkins to a 10-day contract.

[duncan228]

Well, just to get the full run of jinx material out there, Pop has won every season-opening game he's ever coached -- all 11 of them.

What a coincidence. So has Duncan. :)

[mexicanjunior]

Wow...guess we will be starting the season on the wrong foot. It's hard to imagine the Spurs being able to compete with no Ginoboli and a front line this depleted...

[urunobili]

wtf? what else to begin the season now?

[benefactor]

Amen! :toast
Watkins was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this...but shooting big men and swingmen are obviously a priority when dealing with teams like the Suns, Lakers and Hornets

:pctoss

[BronxCowboy]

Heart troubles are really scary. I hope it's nothing serious like the last time.
In any case, he and Spurs must take the safe route even if it means ending his basketball career.

Atrial fibrillation can be pretty mild as far as heart ailments go. I'm sure he will be fine, but if it keeps coming back he may need more definitive treatment.

[tp2021]

Heart troubles are really scary. I hope it's nothing serious like the last time.
In any case, he and Spurs must take the safe route even if it means ending his basketball career.

Sours will be really thin in the paint for the first couple of games. Tolliver will be back for the third and maybe Oberto if it is like last time.

What are the chances that this happens? What would be the roster implications? I hope he doesn't have to call it quits, though.

[hater]

shit!!!!!

the curse continues. fucking bullshit.

[House]

Get me a CT scan and do a lumbar puncture of his spine. I've got to go now. I got an email that hot lesbians are waiting for me, and I wouldn't want to disappoint them.

[tp2021]

Get me a CT scan and do a lumbar puncture of his spine. I've got to go now. I got an email that hot lesbians are waiting for me, and I wouldn't want to disappoint them.

Lame troll is Lame.

[SenorSpur]

Watkins was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this...but shooting big men and swingmen are obviously a priority when dealing with teams like the Suns, Lakers and Hornets

:pctoss

If this doesn't indicate how potentially short-handed the frontline is, in addition to having a couple of players who are old and gravity-challenged, nothing will. :bang

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Might see Hack a Shaq tonight with that few big men able to play. Or Pop could just go completely nuts and guard the Big Cactus with a combination of Vaughn riding on Hill's shoulders.

[urunobili]

I'm sure if he's unable to come back the league would authorize the Spurs not to count with the roster spot and probably get Watkins or another big...

[House]

Lame troll is Lame.

Yeah. Because taking cracks about how I walk hasn't been done before. Do yourself a favor and state the obvious a little more frequently.

[urunobili]

Yeah. Because in just two posts i have shown already what i am all about i'll still keep smoking crack and about how I walk hasn't been done before... Do yourself a favor and state the obvious a little more frequently... probably that will make me be more substancial

Fixed

[boutons_]

Is the unkillable, heartless Dick Cheney available? :lol

good luck, Fabs.

[Chomag]

Man, only a couple more hours left untill regular season and it still cant get here fast enough. We are going to freakin burn Timmy out before we even get half way to the playoffs :(

Would maybe Mutombo be a possibility for a band-aid?

[duncan228]

Jeff McDonald: More details on Oberto (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/10/jeff_mcdonald_m_15.html)

Spurs center Fabricio Oberto will miss at least the first two games of the regular season while dealing with a heart ailment.

According to a Spurs release, Oberto complained of heart fluttering after practice on Tuesday. An EKG confirmed a recurrence of atrial fibrillation, a condition that first afflicted Oberto in April 2007.

Tuesday night, Oberto underwent a procedure that restored his heart to its normal rhythm. He will continue to be monitored over the next five days. Barring complications, he is expected to be available for the game against Dallas on Tuesday.

In the meantime, Oberto has been ruled out of tonight's season opener against Phoenix, and Friday's game at Portland.

[House]

Fixed

Contrary to your own elevated opinion of yourself, you aren't funny. Sorry. Sometimes it's tough to deal with that, but I'm sure you'll make it out alright.

[Solid D]

They said on KSAT a few minutes ago that Oberto would miss the next 2 games - PHX and Portland.

[pauls931]

Keep a close eye on that heart stuff. Anyone remember Reggie Lewis on the Celtics? Poor guy dropped dead on the court from heart complications.

[Obstructed_View]

Oh, and cue in the 'Why we didn't keep Hairston!!!' crybabies now...

Yep, I'm here. His defense and relative size would have been nice to have.

[cool hand]

losing starts here.

[Chomag]

Keep a close eye on that heart stuff. Anyone remember Reggie Lewis on the Celtics? Poor guy dropped dead on the court from heart complications.

I was a kid when that happened and I still remember it. I also recall a same thing that happened to a collage player around the same time.All very scary stuff. I only wish Fab the best.

[Hemotivo]

get well soon umberto

[pauls931]

I was a kid when that happened and I still remember it. I also recall a same thing that happened to a collage player around the same time.All very scary stuff. I only wish Fab the best.

Me too, I was bummed because I really liked his play and was still liked the celtics since I was a bird fan back then. Get better Oberto.

[Anti.Hero]

San Antonio Spurs:

Old Dogs always at the vet, young dogs always in the dog house.

[Spurs Brazil]

Damn bad news. I hope Fabricio can be ready soon

Tonight is going to be tough with only 3 bigs.

When Diaw is in the game Pop will go small.

[easjer]

Oh well, now I won't feel bad if I fall asleep during the game.

[MoSpur]

I am sure the Spurs will try to bring someone in ASAP to fill that spot.

[z0sa]

You think Oberto is the deciding factor against the Suns?

somebody forgot his 12/12 game AGAINST Phoenix

[SenorSpur]

I was a kid when that happened and I still remember it. I also recall a same thing that happened to a collage player around the same time.All very scary stuff. I only wish Fab the best.

You may be referring to Loyola Marymount's, Hank Gathers

[FromWayDowntown]

I am sure the Spurs will try to bring someone in ASAP to fill that spot.

The Spurs have 15 players under contract. The only way that they can bring in someone is to release or trade one of the 15 players under contract or move someone off of the roster (and sending them to Austin doesn't count). Until someone is released or traded (or otherwise removed from the roster), the Spurs can't "bring in" anyone.

If this is career-ending for Fab (something I hope is not true -- and something that doesn't appear to be true), then Fab will be removed from the roster and the Spurs will have a roster spot to use to obtain another player. There are cap implications associated with such a move, but that's a different question.

The basic point is that if you want the Spurs to replace Fab, you'd better be proposing the release of someone else at the same time.

[tp2021]

The Spurs have 15 players under contract. The only way that they can bring in someone is to release or trade one of the 15 players under contract or move someone off of the roster (and sending them to Austin doesn't count). Until someone is released or traded (or otherwise removed from the roster), the Spurs can't "bring in" anyone.

If this is career-ending for Fab (something I hope is not true -- and something that doesn't appear to be true), then Fab will be removed from the roster and the Spurs will have a roster spot to use to obtain another player. There are cap implications associated with such a move, but that's a different question.

The basic point is that if you want the Spurs to replace Fab, you'd better be proposing the release of someone else at the same time.
Keep an eye on Hill tonight, and Mason if he runs point...
:smokin

[AnotherArgie]

Jesus will be fine.

[SenorSpur]

The Spurs have 15 players under contract. The only way that they can bring in someone is to release or trade one of the 15 players under contract or move someone off of the roster (and sending them to Austin doesn't count). Until someone is released or traded (or otherwise removed from the roster), the Spurs can't "bring in" anyone.

If this is career-ending for Fab (something I hope is not true -- and something that doesn't appear to be true), then Fab will be removed from the roster and the Spurs will have a roster spot to use to obtain another player. There are cap implications associated with such a move, but that's a different question.

The basic point is that if you want the Spurs to replace Fab, you'd better be proposing the release of someone else at the same time.

Forgot about the fact that the roster spots are static. Too bad the league doesn't allow roster exemptions for such emergencies.

[urunobili]

Forgot about the fact that the roster spots are static. Too bad the league doesn't allow roster exemptions for such emergencies.

they actually do and have done that before... it's just a matter of knowing if it's career ending and the circumstances...

[DPG21920]

What is with all of this career ending talk? If there is any evidence that this is true, than that would royally screw the Spurs for this year.

[timvp]

Yeah, this is scary news. Last time Oberto suffered this heart ailment because he got elbowed in the chest. I wonder if he got hit again or it came back without contact this time. I'm guessing the better scenario is he got hit again and this just didn't come back out of the blue.

If he were going to miss more than two games, I would have expected the Spurs to waive Farmer and sign a make shift big. But if Oberto is only out two games, the Spurs can survive by using Udoka at power forward.

Not trying to be funny but the last time Oberto had the procedure, he went on to play the best basketball of his life during the 2007 playoffs. Hopefully that can happen again.

Oh and Mahinmi needs to sack up and get out there on the court. When he first got injured, he was supposedly going to be able to play the last handful of preseason games. Then the news changed and he was going to be able to be back for the beginning of the regular season. Now apparently he's in full Beno mode and it's unclear when he'll be back.

[Mad Bonner]

What other big you got?! Huh?! WHAT?! Yeah that's right! You got me punks!!!

[tp2021]

Mad Bonner?! :lmao

[Allanon]

Hi Bonner!

You wanted it, you got it! Your chance to shine now Red Rocket.

Get well Fabs, never wish this kind of stuff on anybody.

[mrspurs]

dang, not a nice way to start it off.

[SenorSpur]

Ian, get your ass out on the court. This will be a prime opportunity for you. With Oberto out, this can be your preseason.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I am sure the Spurs will try to bring someone in ASAP to fill that spot.

We have a full roster, there's no one we can bring in, unless we waive a player.

[Mad Bonner]

We have a full roster, there's no one we can bring in, unless we waive a player.


IF YOU SAY WAIVE ME I WILL FIND YOU AND EAT YOUR KIDS THEN RAPE YOUR WIFE SO THAT THE NUTRIENTS THAT I GET FROM EATING YOUR KIDS WILL GO INTO YOUR WIFE AND THEN BE IN OUR CHILDREN SO THAT A PART OF YOU WILL STILL BE IN THEM BUT YOU'LL KNOW THEY AREN'T YOURS!

[Bruno]

Having only 3 bigs won't be a that big problem for the first couple of games.
These two games aren't a back to back and there are 3 days of after the second one. I don't see a serious drawback at Duncan playing 40 mpg in these games.

It could be more problematic in case of foul troubles but it's only two games on a 82 games long season.

[cool hand]

Can this off season be anymore fucked up

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

IF YOU SAY WAIVE ME I WILL FIND YOU AND EAT YOUR KIDS THEN RAPE YOUR WIFE SO THAT THE NUTRIENTS THAT I GET FROM EATING YOUR KIDS WILL GO INTO YOUR WIFE AND THEN BE IN OUR CHILDREN SO THAT A PART OF YOU WILL STILL BE IN THEM BUT YOU'LL KNOW THEY AREN'T YOURS!

lmao

[Borosai]

Bonner's gonna choke a bitch and win this game tonight.

[Mad Bonner]

Bonner's gonna choke a bitch and win this game tonight.

DAMN FUKKIN STRAIGHT!

http://www.vatsaas.org/rtv/misc/notrocs/red_rocket_amber.jpg TAKE A SWIG OF MY BREW!

[bigdog]

Too bad Ian is out. He sure could come in and help tonight......but we can play Finley at the 4 with the small ball lineup and maybe even Udoka. Tolliver would be a guy who could step in and help but he is excused because of his mother's death.

I hope Bonner can play good tonight.

[Mad Bonner]

I hope Bonner can play good tonight.


YOU HOPE?! I am going to write my name on my balls and then tea bag the shit out of you then when people see you and read my name across your forehead and read your new Matt Bonner moustache they'll ask what happened you will say Matt Bonner stamped the shit out of my face with his nut sack that's what happened!

[Ice009]

Amen! :toast

First I want to say I hope Fab is alright. He may not be the most athletic player and all, but he really does play his ass of for us. He plays hard. I love the effort Fab brings out there and hope he is alright.

Secondly Watkins was one of my picks. Spurs are freaking idiots with the front lines in the West not have looked at big men like Watkins. All of us Watkins homers said that he could play spot minutes for us. Tonight would have been a game he could have played spot minutes.

Instead we sign a big that is supposed to hit shots, but he doesn't hit any shots and plays from the perimeter. I would have taken Farmer, Hairston and Watkins before Tolliver.

[Solid D]

The newscast tonight reporting from the AT&T Center said that Oberto had the procedure to "reboot" his heart last night. He will be evaluated with EKGs over the next 5 days and then if all is okay, he will return to duty.


Oh and Mahinmi needs to sack up and get out there on the court. When he first got injured, he was supposedly going to be able to play the last handful of preseason games. Then the news changed and he was going to be able to be back for the beginning of the regular season. Now apparently he's in full Beno mode and it's unclear when he'll be back.

Ian's French so he retreated. Tony Parker is only half-French (actually Belgian), so he doesn't seem to have any white flags in his bag. :smokin

[Budkin]

Is Ian out still?

[timvp]

He's French so he retreated. Tony Parker is only half-French (actually Belgian), so he doesn't seem to have any white flags in his bag. :smokinFirst there was Paino Beno.

Now there is Ian Maweenie.

:depressed

[Mad Bonner]

CAN NOONE HERE READ?! I swear you all are even dumber than the idiots on SR!

[duncan228]

Thanks for the update Solid.

[We born to be bad]

I'm sure if he's unable to come back the league would authorize the Spurs not to count with the roster spot and probably get Watkins or another big...

oberto hater charrua ...you don't worry :rolleyes fabi's an ironman. he'll be fine.
fabi get well soon!!!!!