October 3, 2002
By George Galante

Heading into the Magic’s 2002 training camp, Head Coach Doc Rivers was sure about one thing concerning the frontcourt situation. Or was he?

“I’ll tell you this,” said Rivers. “One of our ‘bigs’ (power forwards/centers) is going to step forward and take control. It is there for the taking. Now, I’m not sure which one of them it’s going to be, but I guarantee it will be somebody!”

For the last two seasons, the frontcourt has been an area of concern with Rivers and the coaching staff. In 2002-03, Orlando will have several options and combinations to play both the power forward and center positions.

6-10 Andrew DeClercq has gotten off to a great start in camp. The former standout at the University of Florida has been a part of the Magic system since the 2000-01 campaign and is familiar with what Rivers wants out of his big men.

6-10 Horace Grant is back for another go-around with the Magic as well. The 15-year veteran will try one last time to bring Orlando back to the NBA Finals. He helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals back in 1995 and has four NBA World Championships on his resume. His leadership down low will be crucial to the team’s success.

Despite not being known for his rebounding, 6-9 Pat Garrity can obviously help in other areas. The three-point specialist re-signed as a free agent this summer and has looked incredibly sharp during his fourth camp with the Magic. His superior shooting skills will spread the floor and further help the likes of Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Mike Miller and Darrell Armstrong get open shots.

Newcomers Shawn Kemp, Olumide Oyedeji, Ryan Humphrey and Jabari Smith are also putting their heads down and doing all the work necessary to fill Orlando’s void.

The question still remains – which player will step up at the end and take control? The answer will be answered before the end of the 2002-03 season.

NOTES: Today’s practice was concluded with a team free throw shooting contest. The rules of the game were simple – make the free throw, you stay in. Miss your shot and you are out. So who was the winner? Darrell Armstrong?...Nope. He surprisingly missed his first attempt. Mike Miller?...Nope. Same thing. The final four competitors were Grant Hill, Pat Garrity, Shawn Kemp and Jabari Smith. After several rounds, Hill outlasted his competition and walked away with the prize.

After going through five tough practices, Rivers called for a team dinner instead of the usual night practice. The team will resume two-a-days tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at the UNF Arena.