16 replies to this topic

[punisher]

http://www.freep.com...26_20030226.htm

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Zeljko Rebraca has a villa in Italy, a couple of businesses in Yugoslavia, a nice home in Orchard Lake with a wife and two beautiful children -- and an uncertain basketball future.

The Pistons are waiting for Rebraca and his representatives to make the next move about his return to basketball, which has been delayed while Rebraca has taken medication for an irregular heartbeat. The medication has made him lethargic, and a surgical procedure could cause long- or short-term problems.

Rebraca, a 7-foot center, hasn't played since Dec. 21, when he left a game at New Jersey after suffering symptoms of an irregular heartbeat. He has been placed on at least two medications since then and visited at least two doctors with no change in his condition, which leaves him too woozy to play basketball.

While the Pistons are on a five-game trip, Rebraca apparently is in Italy to get another opinion from a doctor he trusts. By the time the team returns on Monday, he is expected back in Detroit, and the Pistons hope to shed more light on his future.

Rebraca, 30, was the team's starting center when training camp started, but he lost his spot to Cliff Robinson. The Pistons will have to decide whether to keep him in the coming months. His contract counts about $3.8 million against the salary cap this season and about $4.2 million next season, the last of his three-year deal.

"He met with one of the specialists last week, and they're giving him all the information about what the next step could be in the process," said team president Joe Dumars. "He's talking to different doctors right now as far as the best course of action to take. There's really nothing to do until he gets all the info. He and his agent are sitting down to make sure they know exactly what's going on."

A source close to the situation said Rebraca has learned some things about his condition that have scared him.

A doctor at the University of Michigan last week told Rebraca that he could open up his chest and take care of the problem with a laser procedure, but there would be a 25 to 30 percent chance of side effects, such as perforating a vein or scarring that could lead to a long-term problem with blood flow to the heart.

Is it worth it to a 30-year-old who has played professionally since he was 16 to go through a surgical procedure that could have damaging side effects? It's a tough question.

Rebraca's troubles stem from a cardiac irregularity, which is common among adults. It isn't life-threatening, but in Rebraca's case the medication makes him unable to play basketball with the zeal and mind-set needed to ward off opponents.

Lions quarterback Joey Harrington had an irregular heartbeat in December, but his problem was corrected with a non-surgical procedure, and he appears fine.

Pistons doctor Ben Paolucci didn't want to comment about Rebraca's situation Tuesday until getting clearance from the team, but he did say most people have normal heart rates after receiving the medication Rebraca has used.

Rebraca has avoided the media lately and hasn't practiced with the team in some time.

Coach Rick Carlisle rarely discusses Rebraca's health, because he said he doesn't know enough about it.

After a promising rookie NBA season in which Rebraca averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds and shot 50.5 percent from the field, the Pistons hoped he would become a reliable center. Now they just hope he can live a long, healthy life.

[Tank]

Shta chine steroidi....:wink: Ipak nije za zajebavanje.....

[majstori]

Vidis da je coveku nasledno. Kolko ja znam cale mu nije bio kosarkas, a i da jeste u to vreme nisu postojali steroidi.

[Tank]

Pa nije nasledio steroide od caleta....:smile:

[majstori]

Pa bilo danas na BK da mu cale boluje od istog ovog sranja sto su i njemu nasli.

[Joel_Przybilla]

pusti ga vidis da je cudan

[Tank]

majstori:
Pa bilo danas na BK da mu cale boluje od istog ovog sranja sto su i njemu nasli.

Dobro, shalio sam se....:smile:

[majstori]

Pa i to sto kazes... (za BK)

[Tank]

Wilt je bio u ziriju za zaqcavanje.....:smile:

[majstori]

[Tank]

Slepci.... Mada, Aca Stojanovic ih jedino vadi...:smile:

[majstori]

Aca Stojanovic je najjaci

na SP komentarisao neku utakmicu Koreanaca:
"domaci navijaci su svi obuceni u dresove sa nacionalnim grbom...(posle 10 sekundi) sta ce te, ima se"

[Tank]

Carina je stvarno, mada malo se usrao kad je intervjuisao Barklija.....:smile: Mada, on ovo izgleda chita, bolje da ga hvalimo.....:smile:

[majstori]

Dobar je Aca :smile:

[Tank]

On i Maratonac su najvece baje za fudbal.....