Garrity likely to miss camp By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted September 11, 2003 Orlando Magic forward Pat Garrity, still recovering from two surgeries this off-season, likely will miss training camp and some of the team's exhibition games. "It's not been my best summer," said Garrity, considered the Magic's best 3-point shooter. Garrity had surgery in June to repair his severely torn groin, then had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee a month ago. It's the knee that is not fully cooperating. "There's still swelling," Garrity said Wednesday. "I haven't been able to do anything too intense this summer. I haven't been able to run. Camp's not looking too good." Garrity played in 81 games last season, with 53 starts, and averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. He missed only the regular-season finale after incurring the groin tear, and needed pain-numbing injections in order to play in the playoffs. Starting this season, under the collective-bargaining agreement, Garrity and other veterans have an abbreviated camp. Players with at least four years' experience don't have to report to the Magic's camp until Oct. 3. All other players report Sept. 30. "It's a long season," Garrity said, "and the main thing is just getting totally healthy before it starts." Meanwhile, the Magic expect to bring at least seven non-guarantee free agents to camp, including point guard John Crotty, a 10-year NBA veteran. The most curious addition might be Ousmane Cisse, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound shot-blocking power forward from Mali, Africa. He was the Denver Nuggets' second-round pick in 2001 out of Montgomery (Ala.) St. Jude. Cisse has played in Russia and with the USBL's Brevard Blue Ducks. He played on the Magic's summer-league team, blocking seven shots in his first two games. Other camp invitees are guards Shammond Williams, Derrick Dial and Rick Apodaca and forwards Britton Johnsen and Alton Ford. The Magic are looking for another point guard. Williams averaged 8.0 points per game for Denver last season. Crotty, 34, also played with the Nuggets, averaging 4.0 points and 2.1 assists in 12 games. Brian Schmitz can be reached at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com. if u live in orlando u might want to check this out. Magic Training Camp WHEN: Sept. 30-Oct. 6. Players with 4 or more years of NBA experience start practice Oct. 3. WHERE: Disney's Wide World of Sports. THE BUZZ: Training camp is not open to the public, but the Magic will host The Great Magic Seat Rush at 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27 at TD Waterhouse Centre. The event is free. Activities include Magic players appearances, shooting on the court and locker room tours. Parking is free on the arena's north side.
