Damn, never good to have to that happen, hopefully it's only minor and he'll be ready for the start of the Jazz season.

Well he will never play for Australia again. Betting Lemanis is wishing he had the mills decision over again.

That sucks. Hard to tell much from that video, so hopefully it isn't too bad, but I guess it must be reasonably serious for him to head straight back to Utah.

I was really hoping we'd start to see Dante emerge on this tour, after the way he outplayed Marcus Smart in Summer League. Hopes dashed once again! Supporting the Boomers is beginning to feel akin to supporting the English soccer team!

Jeez...

Almost exactly the same as when Rose did his ACL: jump stop, leg buckles, goes down. Hope it's not that, but it doesn't look good.

Didn't look that bad from the video above twenty four. Did you see more of it live? I really hope it isn't going to keep him out of the next NBA season. That would be a major setback for his career.

Does this now mean he will need to be replaced?

I will never doubt this young man's endeavour or the decision to go straight into the NBA without first going to college to get a further education.

I also wish him the best in a speedy recovery, hoping he has not suffered anything serious or long term.

It does however, once again show us all how easily a young sporting career can be placed into turmoil and how an injury can jeopardise ones future earnings in sport.

Good luck Dante, get well soon.

Following is further article on the injury. In the article it suggests that the Spurs advised Patty to not go to Europe, but would be available for NZ series. Maybe Lemanis will now reconsider?

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/basketball/dante-exum-injures-knee-will-miss-new-zealand-series-20150804-girowp.html

Having done an ACL, that looks like an ACL.

Hope its just a garden variety sprain or hyper-extension. It is really scary seeing how easily these kinds of injuries can occur.

If I was a Professional Basketball team and one of my players said 'I wanna go play for my national team overseas' Id say No.

Im actually surprised more teams dont say 'Hell no'.

Sounds like it's more than likely an ACL from the newest reports. Likely out for the season.

And this is why NAB teams will soon stop players playing for their country.

*NBA teams

Looking at the video above, Dante certainly lands on his right leg first! Indicating that the vast majority of pressure is going through that ankle, knee and hip. Because of the angle he lands on that leg, the knee is take most of the force. It appears you can actually see the muscles working. He will be a lucky boy not to sustain a major tear.

I wouldn't speak too soon, this might force Andrej's hand to bring in Mills.

ACL it is......

http://m.nbcsports.com/content/report-dante-exum-diagnosed-torn-acl

Damn!!!

Boti:

Initial but unconfirmed prognosis of the injury is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would sideline him for 12 months.

The video looks like an ACL. The way he reacted was telling.

Going to be really tough for him to make an impact in NBA now. I hope it is a minor set back and he gets back to his best.

Yes, it isn't good news. However, at Dantes age (19?) by the time he is back he will be younger than most rookies anyway. He has a lot of time on his side. So long as he continues to watch, be involved, and study the game it wont be time completely wasted. Wishing him all the best.


As for much debate from teams that they wont want their players to play for national teams, NBA players are going to play the game all year long either way; whether it be pick up games, practices, or whatever. Atleast if they play for a national team they have immediate medical attention and can be monitored. A lot of NBA guys spend the summer out at Rucker Park probably playing prison rules FFS. I certainly hope this injury doesn't become an excuse for GM's to clamp down.

Good luck to the you fella, time is certainly on his side.

Re NZ being favourites now, the Aussies probably get stronger with a more experienced player coming in, undoubtedly if it's Mills.

Patty is at the Big Day Out. Can't make it.

a year out of nba also means no olympics I think. :/

Imagine Bogut, Ingles, Delly, Simmons and Exum on the same team!! They'd be the best team ever!!!

*GWB explodes from the pants*

If you actually read my posts, Chalmers, you would find I have been pretty critical of Exum and realistic about Delly.

As for Mills, he was unavailable for the Euro tour but he has always been available for the qualifiers. Boti says that Basketball Australia has already reached out to Patty, so hopefully we will have news on that front, shortly.

They have to bring in Mills surely, if a player has to be added to the squad to cover for injury then any previous statements regarding Mills not being available because of missing the Euro tour are void. Any other replacement would have also missed Euro tour.

And nobody else would have better chemistry and experience with most of the current playing group.

Really bad news but not an uncommon injury and players generally come back with few ongoing problems.

We will all now just have to be a little bit more patient to see how Dante develops his game.

Let us also hope that players ad NBA teams realise that this type of thing can occur any time and it doesn't affect any future decisions on playing for the Boomers.

I am not sure why anyone would call in Greenwood with Mills sitting there ready to go. Kind of a dumb call there, anonymous.

Seeing as the team has similar players they are more likely to run what they did in the 2013 qualifiers than they are what they did at the Uni games with completely different personnel.