Sixers sign free-agent center Battie
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Sixers sign free-agent center Battie
The Sixers have signed free-agent center Tony Battie, president and general manager Ed Stefanski announced today.
“We see Tony Battie as a player who can come in and give us additional depth in the front court while also providing a valuable veteran presence for our younger players both on and off the court,” Stefanski said.
Battie (6-11, 240) recently completed his 12th NBA season and has averaged 6.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.90 blocks in 772 career games with 418 starts. He has also appeared in 51 playoff games with 30 starts and was a member of the Orlando Magic’s Eastern Conference title team in 2008-09.
"I feel I can bring a veteran presence and leadership," Battie said on a conference call this afternoon. "We have a young core, especially with the bigs; with Marreese [Speights], [Jason] Smith and with me eing a vet. And then we have Spencer Hawes.
"I'm looking forward to bringing what I can and showing my tricks of the trade. I've never been a guy to fill the stat sheet. I'm a team guy. I like to be a defensive presence a hard-nosed rebounder, a guy who loves to do the dirty work."
Battie was the fifth overall pick by Denver in 1997.
This is almost as exciting as the signing of Primos Brezec last year.— dpcoz
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“We see Tony Battie as a player who can come in and give us additional depth in the front court while also providing a valuable veteran presence for our younger players both on and off the court,” Translation - we have no cap room thanks to Igoudala and Brand. Additionally, no player who has any talent or respect would want to sign here.— dr.anonymous,md- I didnt even know he was still playing. This is the piece that puts us over the top— MrSmithTP
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- This guy reminds me of Kareem Abdul Jabbar in his prime. The sky is now, officially, the limit.— Vituperator
- Sign me up for season tickets as this move puts them over the top. move over Boston and your Big 3. Bosh Wade and lebron you got nothin on Iggy Brand and now Battie!! what a combination. Dynasty...— Dparente
- All we need is Derek Battie now and we are going to the Championships! Whew! I did not think we could get worse than Billy King, but Stefanski has reached a new low...— Grill
- I can't wait for the Rick Brunson signing next!— Grill
- Monte Towne will be signed to run the offense— delcorules
- While we're at it, where's Ron Mercer? How bout Darius Miles? No? What about Ike Austin? You want veteran presence, get a coach for player development. Not some never was. I'd rather have Antonio Davis or Walter McCarty than Batman. Next!!!!— XmarksTheSpot
- when was the last time Battie was relevant? At least the future's bright with Holliday and Turner.— the sichee-ation
- Always look forward to seeing a Sixers article and then a Jay Grace "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"— The Doctor
- Is the NBA still in business? I thought it folded with the Arena Football League a few years ago.— Phront_Runner
- Why does all all philly teams go out and get players wayyyyy past there prime?????— FROMPHILLY2ATL
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
