--The Magic this season, in an effort to be more physical, are expected to carry four centers on the roster, using Adonal Foyle, Marcin Gortat and Battie all behind Dwight Howard. One of the themes this season has been that they need to avoid being pushed around by the stronger teams in the league. One of the things they will work on in training camp is Howard moving more without the ball so that teams can't gang up on him so easily in the post.
--C Dwight Howard, who wore a Superman cape when he won the NBA Slam Dunk contest, has added a Superman logo to the back of his shoes. Howard also has been spending more time working on a 12-foot jump shot than playing with his back to the basket. --GM Otis Smith said he has no intention of offering a contract extension this month to G/F Hedo Turkoglu, who can become a free agent next summer. Turkoglu is coming off his best season, winning the league's Most Improved Player Award. Smith wants to see if Turkoglu can repeat what he did last season. The issue next summer is whether the Magic can afford to pay Turkoglu enough to keep him happy and avoid the luxury tax.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Not in my house. Not this year." -- C Dwight Howard to new Magic G Mickael Pietrus, after blocking his shot during a scrimmage.
