Tony Battie might face shoulder surgery

Brian Schmitz Sentinel Staff Writer
2:34 PM EDT, September 27, 2007

Orlando Magic power forward Tony Battie might have to undergo rotator cuff surgery and miss an undetermined amount of time.

Battie was undergoing testing Thursday at Duke University, and the Magic were waiting on the results.

Battie apparently injured the shoulder a couple weeks ago.

The 6-foot-10, nine-year veteran was a regular in the Magic lineup alongside center Dwight Howard last season, averaging 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Magic open training camp Saturday, and the loss of Battie makes them dramatically thin at the power positions.

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This column was released a few days ago; but it's a great read on Jameer, and worth reading if you haven't already done so.

Jameer Nelson brave in face of tragedy

Do you want your Magic TV? Vote now.

Just curious. Are you outraged? Are you beside yourself with anger? Do you think the Declaration of Independence needs to be rewritten to say, "All men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty and every Orlando Magic game -- home and away -- on expanded basic cable?"Like I said, I'm curious. That's why I'm conducting my very first Internet poll in connection with my new blog -- the cleverly conceived, double-entendre "Open Mike" -- on OrlandoSentinel.com. After you finish reading this column, please go to OrlandoSentinel.com/openmike, and vote on the poll question.The question concerns the stalemate regarding Bright House Networks (our main cable provider) and Fox Sports Net, which is not part of our cable package even though the network will carry 35 Magic games this season. What I want to know is this: If those 35 Magic games aren't on cable TV, would you, as a Magic fan, be (A) Outraged, (B) Mildly annoyed or, (C) Couldn't care less?I have to tell you, I'm torn on this topic.The sports lover in me wants to think Magic fans are so passionate they will burn their couches and riot in the streets if they can't see even one game on TV. The cynic in me says if a particular Magic game isn't on TV, the typical apathetic Magic fan will be briefly disappointed and then -- Click! . . . Hey, look, an Andy Griffith rerun on TV Land. It's the one about Aunt Bee's homemade pickles. I love this one.Don't get me wrong, I love watching the Magic on the tube, but I'm not na�ve enough to think the Magic are must-see TV for the vast majority of Orlando. The NBA isn't nearly the cultural spectacle of the NFL. There are 82 NBA games, and if you miss one -- oh well -- there's probably another one on tomorrow.Then again, I know many die-hard Magic fans out there who will be downright angry if they don't get to watch every game from their living rooms. The growing number of fans who follow the Magic only on TV is a relatively recent phenomenon in sports. There is a feeling of entitlement among today's sports fans that it is our God-given right to see every game our team plays on free TV.Of course, the teams and leagues themselves have fostered this attitude. They have turned their seasons into one massive TV show and created an entire generation of fans who never leave their couches. It's no wonder the Magic have trouble selling out their games. Who wants to fight the crowds, pay for parking, buy $5 beers and invest thousands of dollars in season tickets when you can sit at home, drink $1 beers and get a better view of the game on your 52-inch Sony plasma.If you want to get laughed at and looked at like you just stepped out of a silent movie, then try uttering this statement: "What's the big deal? If the games aren't on TV, why not just listen to them on radio?"The sarcastic response among today's high-def generation will be something like, "OK, Charlie Chaplin, just as soon as I'm finished watching Steamboat Willie, I'll go ride around town in my Studebaker and listen to freaking Dizzy Dean broadcast the game on radio."The Magic have only themselves to blame. They have created the expectation that all their games are supposed to be on TV and now must deal with the potential fallout if they're not.Are you outraged? Annoyed? Or do you even care?Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/openmike and let me know.

Magic's Redick has broken hand, not expected to miss training camp

Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick has a broken bone in his right hand, but the club expects him to be ready when it begins training camp Sept. 29.

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said Friday he did not know when Redick injured his hand but the 6-foot-5 former Duke All-American has been wearing a soft cast for the last week.

"We're not sure when it happened," Smith said. "It could have happened when he was working out, playing pickup or when he was playing with USA Basketball.

"I don't expect J.J. to miss any time at all. I'd be surprised if he's not ready for camp."

Smith said Redick did not require surgery.

Redick, 23, averaged 6 points in 42 games as a rookie last season. Last summer, he was plagued by a back injury that hampered his preparation for the season. With the loss of Grant Hill to the Phoenix Suns via free agency, Redick is one of the candidate to start at shooting guard. He led the Magic's summer league team in scoring in July.

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In addition, the Magic have signed former Winthrop guard Torrell Martin to a one-year non-guaranteed contract.

Denver F Reggie Evans won't be coming to the Magic

The Denver Nuggets sent forward Reggie Evans and the draft rights to forward Ricky Sanchez to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday in exchange for swingman Steven Hunter and forward Bobby Jones.

"This move greatly helps us add depth at our center position while reducing our inventory of power forwards. Reggie played a valuable role for us during his time in Denver and we appreciate his professionalism." said Mark Warkentien, Denver's vice president of basketball operations.

Evans averaged 5.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 92 games for the Nuggets after his acquisition from Seattle on Feb. 23, 2006. He led the league in rebounds per 48 minutes last season at 19.7.

"He is an accomplished rebounder that we feel will make an immediate impact and will exemplify our commitment to hard work, rebounding and defense," 76ers general manager Billy King said.

-from CBSsportsline.com

NBA refs can use instant replay to review fights, some flagrant fouls

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- NBA referees will be able to use instant replay to review altercations and some flagrant fouls starting this season.

The NBA Board of Governors voted last week to approve the changes recommended by the league's Competition Committee.

Officials will be allowed to use replay on the more severe type of flagrant foul, known as the penalty 2. Because a flagrant-2 results in an ejection, the committee ruled that reviewing such infractions was appropriate.

Referees also will be able to use replay after an altercation to ensure that no punches or other unsportsmanlike actions are missed in determining penalties.

For those who still miss Darko...

I originally saw this story from one of our regular visitors at Third Quarter Collapse. He found the story from FanHouse. It's worth a look, and might make you miss Darko a little less. The link of the story and video of Darko blowing up on the media is below.

Darko's Venomous Tirade

In the end, it doesn't mean much for the Magic and NBA. It does show Darko has some issues. As for Darko, he will be heavily fined by FIBA and possibly banned for a year.

SAD NEWS

Police: Body found likely to be that of Jameer Nelson's father
The Associated Press
5:39 PM EDT, September 1, 2007