MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: C Dwight Howard, despite a disappointing end to the season, emerged as the best center in the NBA. He became an All-Star starter for the first time, and he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time. He led the league in rebounding and in double-doubles. He also had eight games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: The Magic got nothing this season out of G J.J. Redick, who expected to be a regular contributor in his second NBA season. Redick is immensely popular in Orlando, but Coach Stan Van Gundy hardly used him, preferring to use Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans at shooting guard.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Maurice Evans, the starting shooting guard, may be tough to re-sign because he wants a big raise from the $1.5 million he made last season. Combo guard Keyon Dooling is more like to return because Coach Stan Van Gundy really likes his versatility and defense. Point guard Carlos Arroyo is not expected to return, unless he agrees to a considerable pay cut from the $4.5 million he made last season. Forwards Pat Garrity and James Augustine are not expected to be back.
PLAYER NOTES:
--C Dwight Howard is headed for a busy summer, scheduled to start practicing for the USA Basketball Olympic Team next month. Howard became the youngest player (22) in league history to reach 4,000 rebounds in his career.
--G J.J. Redick remains a question mark as far as his future. He didn't back away from earlier comments that he wants to be traded unless the Magic can find a way for him to play.
--C Marcin Gortat returned to Poland for two weeks, but he expects to be back at the team's training facility soon to begin working on his game. Gortat played in only six games during the regular season even though he was healthy all year, but he played in eight playoff games.
