Dwight Howard News...

Howard Isn't In Vegas To Gamble

By KEN HORNACK

MAITLAND -- It's easy to perceive Dwight Howard as the big man on campus, in more than the physical sense, among the group of players the Orlando Magic has assembled this week for a summer league in Las Vegas.

But he hasn't forgotten a freshman orientation of a year ago that was as awkward as any 18-year-old could experience.

Howard's first game last July at the RDV Sportsplex against a Cleveland Cavaliers squad of mostly rookies and free agents is something he can smile and laugh about now. Of course, Howard can smile and laugh about virtually any subject matter, but to say he failed to get off to a flying start would be like saying the Pepsi 400 failed to get off as originally planned.

As if he needed a reminder of his initiation, one of the centers the Magic have brought in is Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, who bullied him around in a game that was mercifully closed to the general public.

"When he came in, I was like, 'Oh, I remember this guy. This is the first guy to hit me with an elbow,' " Howard said.

CENTER(PIECE) OF ATTENTION? Twenty pounds and 82 regular-season games later, it's clear that Howard is hitting back and will continue to do so around the NBA for years to come.

So why does one of only eight players in the league to average a double-double last season seem to be lowering himself by being around a bunch of predominantly no-names?

Part of the reason is to become more familiar with Brian Hill, even though the new Magic coach got to meet Howard and his family during a visit last month to Atlanta. And while Howard admitted he was disappointed that assistant coach Clifford Ray wasn't retained from the old regime, he said he doesn't blame Hill for the staff shakeup.

Besides, anyone who was baffled as to why Howard almost never attempted more than 10 shots per game until March should welcome a fresh point of view.

"Dwight has to become more of a focal point than he was a year ago," Hill said. "Is it right to say he's the centerpiece? I'm not sure about that."

DREAM, BABY, DREAM "I think it's good that they got me in here early instead of just waiting until the end of August or something like that," said Howard, who visited the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan on a promotional tour after the Magic's season ended.

With typical modesty, Howard claimed their 5-19 record over the final 24 games was his fault and did everything short of bearing the brunt for Grant Hill's bruised left shin or Steve Francis' shot selection.

"I blame us not going to the playoffs on me," he said. "I say that because there were a lot of times I could have gotten loose balls or rebounds or blocked shots, and I just didn't go get it."

He'll have plenty of opportunity to do all of that over the next nine days, especially with first-round draft pick Fran Vazquez back in Spain. And if last year's No. 1 overall pick can serve as an inspiration to some poor undrafted soul, that's an added bonus to him.

"I've already got my spot on the roster," he said. "But I just want to see the rest of the guys be able to make it on an NBA team because all of those guys have dreams."

In Howard's case, the dream has returned into reality and a series well worth watching.

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NBA Future:
Glen Davis
Glen Davis showed that even though he is a lighter version of himself, he is still a lot to handle in the paint.

Glen Davis scored 26 points and Tasmin Mitchell added 21 as No. 7 Louisiana State pounded the ball inside frequently in its 88-57 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

Despite being down 37 pounds from his playing weight of 326 last season, Glen Davis continued to be a force inside, making 10-of-15 shots and grabbing eight rebounds.

Behind the reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, the Tigers (2-0) finished with a 42-12 advantage in points in the paint and won the rebounding battle, 43-28.

Glen Davis
Position: F
Class: Junior
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 289
College: LSU
Hometown: Baton Rouge