<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Power forward Darko Milicic's audition with the Orlando Magic is cutting into Tony Battie's playing time. Is it also cutting into Battie's paying time. Battie is angling for a new contract and can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He was having a solid season when the Magic made a trade with the Detroit Pistons for Milicic and point guard Carlos Arroyo last month. Magic Assistant General Manager Otis Smith said the club's late-season shift to a rebuilding plan does not affect Battie's value in his eyes. "No," Smith said, "We still have a big interest in keeping Tony around. We just got to make it happen." </div> Source I'm glad to finally see an NBA veteran except the role of being mentor and accepting a less playing time. Classy move by Tony Battie, the NBA would be a lot better if more veterans understood the concept of passing the torch.
