RealGM

"General Manager Otis Smith said he is "leaning" against bringing back power forward Tony Battie for the playoffs. Battie has stepped up his rehab since undergoing left shoulder surgery in October. "It's my decision, not Tony's," Smith said."


Wow, I would love to see him back. That is if he really is able to play and not jeopardize his future.

But for Otis to say it is his decision and not Tony's, thats authority or is it?


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/b ... 2355.story

he wont be back...the medical staff said they weren't on board with it and i have an "inside source" who says that tony wont see action this year period...

best thing to do is to just chill...

And if Otis makes the decision that Tony is fit to play, then SVG decides whether and how much he should play. If it was the player's decision, JJ would be a happy man.

Yeah , I had heard that, but to hear Otis say that its his decision and not Tony's is what shocked me. Is Otis delusional or does he really mean it? I mean can he tell Tony, I dont care if you can play or not you are playing.

Magicalltheway wrote:Yeah , I had heard that, but to hear Otis say that its his decision and not Tony's is what shocked me. Is Otis delusional or does he really mean it? I mean can he tell Tony, I dont care if you can play or not you are playing.

I'd imagine as the General Manager he would have authority to give it the thumbs up or thumbs down.

well i think what's going on is that Tony wants to come back now, and if not than in the playoffs, he thinks he's 100% but after Otis met with the medical staff and conditioning coaches last week, he's changed his tune about having Tony come back...he thinks it's best for Tony to sit out...and it is IMO...

I have no problem if he is in agreement with the player if he wants to play or not.

But the it comes a cross is that, it doesn't matter if he can or wants to play or not, if I say he plays he plays. As he has no say in it. "It's my decision, not Tony's," Smith said."

right...which it is...it's 100% up to Otis...it's supposed to be...GM/Med Staff/Coach...often times players who love to love, just want to get out there, and they think they are ready, when they might not actually be ready...any time you have surgery, it's best to wait longer than start too soon...i've been there...Tony is probably understanding of it though...Tony is a smart guy...

If Turkoglu or Lewis were to get injured in the next nine games, the decision might flip. But as of now, everything is working, and Battie might not be such a great help anyhow.

It's clear he meant he has veto power over Tony's play, since we know Tony wants to do it. Part of Otis' job is to protect players from themselves.

Otis is GM. It's his job to make decisions. What he says Does go.

Seems like Otis is very content on not allowing Battie to play at all this season.

magicmamma wrote:It's clear he meant he has veto power over Tony's play, since we know Tony wants to do it. Part of Otis' job is to protect players from themselves.

Bingo.

Honestly, I don't know if I want to see a rusty Battie out there playing at a critical time like the playoffs - risking injury and possibly messing with team chemistry. He's been out all season - by this point, move on and come back fresh in the preseason.

I do applaud his will and determination, though. Props to him, he wants to play.

It's better that Battie NOT return this year for both his long term health, and the chemistry issues with rotations.

Battie isnt that rusty, the guy looks good at the RDV...his shot is looking good and he is bodying up just fine...

batties game is really not the type to get "rusty" anyway.....

I'm sure he'd be moving at a slower pace though, correct? He's been out for an entire season; I doubt he'd be moving around the court at the same pace as two conditioned teams fighting it out in the playoffs.

idk man, he looks pretty good out there really...i mean he's been moving his legs for awhile now...the only thing he's not doing is taking long shots, making big rebounds and driving in with his shoulder i think...

for scrimmage games, he's looking alright...

theTHIEF wrote:idk man, he looks pretty good out there really...i mean he's been moving his legs for awhile now...the only thing he's not doing is taking long shots, making big rebounds and driving in with his shoulder i think...

for scrimmage games, he's looking alright...

How are you privy to this type of info?