Bad News for Battie
By Nick Adams | September 28, 2007
The front line of the Magic took a major blow this morning as it was announced that Tony Battie could potentially miss a good portion of the 2007-2008 season with a partially torn rotator cuff.
Magic doctors diagnosed a partial tear in Battie's left shoulder last week. Battie, seeking a second opinion, had his shoulder examined on Thursday at Duke University Medical Center.
The results came back negative for a full tear, but the partial tear was significant enough for the doctors to recommend surgery.
"I've got two different opinions right now from two different doctors and they both informed me that it looks like surgery," said Battie.
Battie added that the surgery has not yet been scheduled for a time and place, but he is visiting with another prominent doctor to get their opinion in hopes of making a decision soon.
Until the surgery is preformed it is not known the specific time frame of Battie's absence.
"Obviously it is going to be a significant amount of time," said Battie, "but you can't really judge that because we have to wait and see how everything with the surgery turns out."
The injury was said to have occurred while practicing at the RDV Sportsplex last week. Dwight Howard was backing Battie down in the post when Tony felt a tweak in his shoulder.
After injuring the shoulder, Battie and the Magic training staff took a look at it after practice. They decided that if the pain returned tomorrow that they would take a further look.
The next day, Battie practiced and the pain escaladed, causing the training staff to take an MRI.
"My first thought was to try and play through it," said Battie, "but from visiting with the doctors thus far, I don't want to turn a partial tear into a complete tear."
Battie was coming of a very productive off-season in which he lost 30 pounds. He changed his diet, did abdominal workouts, core training, and was in the best shape of his career.
"It's extremely frustrating to have worked all summer just to have this happen a week before training camp," added Battie.
Battie's low post presence and solid leadership was missed 16 games last season with a fractured right thumb. The team realizes how important Battie is and commented on how they have to compensate for his absence.
"We will all have to step up," stated Bo Outlaw. "Tony is a big part of what we do defensively and offensively, so we have to collectively step up because I don't think one person can replace Tony."
Drafted with the fifth overall pick by Denver in 1997, Battie joined the Magic in the 2004-2005 season. In his three years with the Magic, Battie has played in 93 percent of the games. In those games he averaged just under 25 minutes while scoring 6.3 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds.
"It's a big blow to us," added Pat Garrity. "He is such a vital part to our front line, so everyone is just going to have to step up."
Despite everything Battie seemed determined to make a full recovery.
"Unfortunately injuries happen but it's a part of the game, and I will get through it."
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Magic doctors diagnosed a partial tear in Battie's left shoulder last week. Battie, seeking a second opinion, had his shoulder examined on Thursday at Duke University Medical Center.
The results came back negative for a full tear, but the partial tear was significant enough for the doctors to recommend surgery.
"I've got two different opinions right now from two different doctors and they both informed me that it looks like surgery," said Battie.
Battie added that the surgery has not yet been scheduled for a time and place, but he is visiting with another prominent doctor to get their opinion in hopes of making a decision soon.
Until the surgery is preformed it is not known the specific time frame of Battie's absence.
"Obviously it is going to be a significant amount of time," said Battie, "but you can't really judge that because we have to wait and see how everything with the surgery turns out."
The injury was said to have occurred while practicing at the RDV Sportsplex last week. Dwight Howard was backing Battie down in the post when Tony felt a tweak in his shoulder.
After injuring the shoulder, Battie and the Magic training staff took a look at it after practice. They decided that if the pain returned tomorrow that they would take a further look.
The next day, Battie practiced and the pain escaladed, causing the training staff to take an MRI.
"My first thought was to try and play through it," said Battie, "but from visiting with the doctors thus far, I don't want to turn a partial tear into a complete tear."
Battie was coming of a very productive off-season in which he lost 30 pounds. He changed his diet, did abdominal workouts, core training, and was in the best shape of his career.
"It's extremely frustrating to have worked all summer just to have this happen a week before training camp," added Battie.
Battie's low post presence and solid leadership was missed 16 games last season with a fractured right thumb. The team realizes how important Battie is and commented on how they have to compensate for his absence.
"We will all have to step up," stated Bo Outlaw. "Tony is a big part of what we do defensively and offensively, so we have to collectively step up because I don't think one person can replace Tony."
Drafted with the fifth overall pick by Denver in 1997, Battie joined the Magic in the 2004-2005 season. In his three years with the Magic, Battie has played in 93 percent of the games. In those games he averaged just under 25 minutes while scoring 6.3 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds.
"It's a big blow to us," added Pat Garrity. "He is such a vital part to our front line, so everyone is just going to have to step up."
Despite everything Battie seemed determined to make a full recovery.
"Unfortunately injuries happen but it's a part of the game, and I will get through it."
