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From Orlando Sentinel

MAGIC 102, PISTONS 100 THE BUZZ

Howard has dunk plan

Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
January 22, 2008

Magic C Dwight Howard, whose "sticker dunk" didn't wow the judges in the slam-dunk competition during NBA All-Star Weekend last year, will get another shot.

Howard joins defending champion Gerald Green of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies and Jamario Moon of the Toronto Raptors for the Feb. 16 competition at New Orleans Arena.

For the first time, fans will have the final say in deciding the winner, casting their votes via SMS TXT message and at NBA.com.

Howard caught an alley-oop pass from teammate Jameer Nelson, completing his leap of 12 feet and 6 inches by slapping a sticker of his smiling face inside an all-star logo during his attempt. Judges, like most of the crowd, weren't aware of the sticker and didn't pass Howard through the first round.

Howard said he has something special planned -- and, this time, is alerting judges before he dunks.


Rooting for Chargers

Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy was rooting for San Diego Chargers Coach Norv Turner on Sunday to get to the Super Bowl, although they fell to New England.

His father, Bill Van Gundy, coached Turner as a basketball player at Alhambra High School in Martinez, Calif.

"I've known Norv for a long time [and Norv's brother Ron Turner, an assistant with the Chicago Bears] and always followed his career," Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy saw Norv on occasion in Miami when Van Gundy coached with the Heat and Turner was offensive coordinator with the Dolphins.


Not ready for prime time

It might seem a little early for a wait-until-next-year theme, but reserve C Marcin Gortat, the rookie from Poland, already has set his sights on the 2008-09 season.

Gortat is the only healthy player on the 15-man Magic roster who hasn't played in a game this season. And it doesn't look like he will.

Van Gundy just doesn't think he's ready for NBA prime time, and he has told him.

"It's kind of weird hearing that you're not going to play but I've accepted it, and I'm already thinking about next season," Gortat said. "I'm going to keep working as hard as possible and improve enough to play. I practice against the best big man in the league [Howard] every day. I'm going to get better."

"I will come back next year more ready to play," Gortat said.

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel

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