Mar 12, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks small forward Carlos Delfino (10) drives to the basket against New Jersey Nets guard MarShon Brooks (9) during the first half at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Carlos Delfino is still trying to recover from surgery he underwent on May 3rd, but he plans to play in the Olympics.

In an Argentinian interview at olé.com, Delfino said that he can run forward just fine (“en línea recta te puedo correr una maratón” / in a straight line I could run a marathon), but that he is still having issues moving laterally, and that such problems stem from issues with his surgically-repaired groin muscles.

Argentina begins exhibition play with a match against Uruguay on Thursday.  Their first Olympic match is set for July 29.

Delfino will be joined on the Argentine team by Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, and Andres Nocioni — part of the  ’Golden Generation’ that won Olympic Gold in 2004.

Delfino is an unrestricted free agent, and he recently mentioned that he would welcome a return to the Bucks. However, Milwaukee has 12 players under contract, including a trio who could spend time at small forward: last year’s first-round draft choice, Tobias Harris, defensive specialist Luc Mbah a Moute, and top-sub Mike Dunleavy.

Carlos Delfino and his FIBA Americas gold medal (AP Photo)

In an interview this week, Carlos Delfino acknowledged that he has had oppotunities to play out the lockout in Argentina and Europe. He also said that he considers family and staying close to home a priority.

More importantly, he notes that recent offers to play close to home have caught his eye.

“Hoy está la chance de jugar acá, cerca de mi familia, y eso me llama la atención.” (more…)