Quote:
From Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Magic
Battie seeks 2nd opinion on ailing left shoulder
The Orlando power forward may miss some playing time depending on the severity of his rotator-cuff injury.
Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
September 28, 2007
Two days before the opening of training camp, the Orlando Magic were waiting to see if power forward Tony Battie might have to undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff and miss playing time.
Battie, seeking a second opinion, was having his left shoulder examined on Thursday at Duke University Medical Center, and the club was awaiting the results. Magic doctors diagnosed a partial tear last week.
"We're not sure yet," Magic General Manager Otis Smith said late Thursday afternoon. "It would be premature for me to say anything more.
"I don't know if Tony's down for long or not."
Battie was still struggling with pain after being injured a few weeks ago, although Smith said he did not know exactly how the injury occurred.
"Something kind of happened one day when he was working out," Smith said.
Battie, 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, started 66 games for the Magic last season, averaging 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes. He missed 16 games with a fractured right thumb.
A 10-year veteran, Battie, 31, is considered more steady than spectacular.
But losing him for an extended period would strap an already thin front-court and might require the Magic to sign another big man or trade for one to help all-star center Dwight Howard.
The Magic lost promising 7-foot power forward Darko Milicic to free agency this summer.
Milicic, who backed up Battie last season, signed a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Orlando signed veteran 6-11 center Adonal Foyle and added 6-11 rookie center/power forward Marcin Gortat of Poland.
"Gortat might be a surprise,"Smith said.
The potential longterm loss of Battie would dramatically affect Orlando's depth.
He might not have started this season -- the Magic could start star free-agent signee Rashard Lewis at power forward -- but Battie anchored the defense and provided leadership.
Smith said that shooting guard J.J. Redick "is ready to go." Redick broke a bone in his right hand several weeks ago.
The Magic will hold media day today at RDV Sportsplex and open training camp with two practices at the facility on Saturday. The practices and training camp will be closed to the public.
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I'm going to be optimistic and hope that Battie doesn't have to undergo surgery so we aren't completely screwed... if a player has to get a 2nd opinion, it's probably serious.
I would like to see Otis get on the phone regardless of Battie's status though. Whether or not he plays, it's obvious that he won't be at 100% going into the season, so a move NEEDS to be done.