Nicolas Batum to have Shoulder Surgery

In breaking Twitter news, Nicolas Batum is apparently having shoulder surgery due to a torn labrum and the timetable for his return is uncertain. (Update: Batum was told 3-5 months.)

Look at how quickly this stuff blows up...how can you not love Twitter?

@BlazerFreeman: Breaking: Nicolas Batum will have surgery Friday on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum. Return tbd.

@BlazersEdge: Source close to Batum expects lengthy recovery time.

@BlazerBanter: Breaking: Blazers forward Nicolas Batum will undergo shoulder surgery Friday to repair torn labrum. Timeline for return to be announced.

@BlazerFlack: Portland F Nicolas Batum to undergo surgery Friday on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum. Timeline for return post surgery.

There should be an official word from the team soon so stay tuned for updates as we have them.

Our Thoughts...

I guess we don't have to worry about that logjam at small forward now do we? What's really upsetting is the thought of seeing extended minutes for Travis Outlaw again. And so much for our prediction earlier this morning that he'd be shipped out before the Playoffs.

Martell Webster practiced with the starting squad today and looks to be starting in tomorrow night's opener. Interesting to think that Martell lost his starting job last year after going down with injury and now he'll replace the guy that replaced him due to another injury.

Will this mean more time from Juwan Howard behind Aldridge? I really hope so. With Miller and Howard bringing the steadiness into the second unit, expect some big time performances.

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