ARG – Delfino recovering from concussion

MILWAUKEE (NBA) - This season's FIBA Americas League tips off in Mar del Plata on Thursday.

But everyone with an interest in this competition will no doubt also be thinking about one of Argentina’s favorite sons in the NBA, Carlos Delfino.

Delfino has been sidelined for a month after being diagnosed with a concussion.

The 28-year-old missed games last season with a concussion after being stepped on the head by Udonis Haslem off Miami, but his latest concussion seems to be a result of a serious of inadvertent blows.

The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel has listed the hits.

One came while Delfino drew a charge in a game against Minnesota on October 29, when his head hit a player's knee.

The following night against the Charlotte Bobcats, the sharpshooter received an elbow to the ear while battling for a rebound.

A week later, he took a shot to the cheekbone by Indiana's Team USA man Danny Granger and 24 hours later, he had to leave the game after experiencing dizziness.

That was November 6 and he hasn't played since.

Delfino wants to feel better and return to the court soon but is having to play a waiting game.

"It's frustrating because it's nothing you can control," Delfino said.

"It's not like a knee injury where you go and work and you lift weights.

"Here it's your brain, and every single thing you do, you're using your brain."

In a recent medical evaluation, doctors said Delfino was 90% free of his concussive symptoms.

He needs to be 100% free.

"Even now if I'm driving, I can't talk at the same time," Delfino said.

"I'm able to drive and I feel safe driving. But if I'm on the passenger side, even one week ago, I was feeling like every car was coming to me.

"If someone is talking to me or calling on the phone, I can't stay too long. I can focus on only one thing right now."

Delfino's parents have flown to Milwaukee to spend time with their son and his wife, Martina.

The Bucks have been supportive of their ailing star, one who played for Argentina this summer at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

"The day I shoot the ball again, I know I'm going to make a huge step," Delfino said to the Journal Sentinel.

"When you have a concussion your head is fragile and you're at risk.

"I already have two concussions and it's something that can be serious if I don't take care of it."

FIBA