BRA - Anderson just wants to play

CLEVELAND (Olympics) - Before Anderson Varejao broke his  wrist in early February while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was enjoying arguably his best season in the NBA.

The 29-year-old was averaging 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds and giving Cavs fans hope that a future without LeBron James might not be bleak as a lot of people had feared when the superstar left for Miami  in the summer of 2010.

But Anderson got hurt and that meant Cleveland no longer had their most important man on the interior.

It also raised concerns about his availability for Brazil this summer at the Olympics.

Coming off an injury, Anderson wasn't as effective as he would have liked to have been at the World Championship in Turkey, and he was hurt and couldn't play at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.

Anderson's recovery has been going well and could return to the court soon, despite suggestions that Cleveland may prefer him to stay off the court until next season since the Cavs have no chance of progressing to the play-offs.

" I am part of the team and I want to help even if we don't have any more chance at the play-offs," Varejao said.

"I want to play, that's what I get paid for.

"Last year, I was hurt [torn tendon in ankle] and this season I got hurt too. I want to play. This is what I love to do."

There is also the issue of the Olympics.

Anderson has played at the last two World Championships but has yet to appear an Olympic Games.

Brazil are going to be at the Summer Games for the first time since 1996 and playing in London is something he is desperate to do.

"If I'm healthy, I will play in London," Anderson said.


FIBA