Van Gundy Love Note Inspires Howard

ORLANDO -- Magic center Dwight Howard arrived at Amway Arena for Friday night's game against the New Jersey Nets to find a handwritten note in his locker.

It was signed by the same guy who had been prodding him the past couple days, criticizing him for his lack of energy, his rebounding drop off and his sudden inability to block shots.

Howard read the note twice, then left it where he could see it again at halftime. He also saw it after the game, and he smiled.

"There is no one better or smarter in the NBA. All you need to do is play with great energy and enthusiasm,'' the note said. It was signed "Stan,'' as in Coach Van Gundy.

"I kind of took it to heart,'' Howard said. "We had talked about some things in a meeting earlier, about my responsibilities, and how I need to lead this team by example. I played pretty well tonight.''

Howard snapped out of his mini-slump – he had averaged only eight rebounds and one blocked shot in the previous six games – and dominated the Nets with his best, all-around game of the season.

The Magic won easily, 88-72, crushing the decimated Nets. Howard had 26 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots, once again looking like the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. The Magic still are playing well below the level of the Celtics and Cavs – the two top teams in the Eastern Conference – but at least they can start closing the gap with Howard regaining his edge.

The Magic were coming off of an embarrassing loss at home to Cleveland, a game that accentuated Howard's lack of energy defensively. Unable to outplay the aging Shaquille O'Neal, Howard may have hit bottom that game.

"For us to be successful, I have to lead this team defensively, erase any mistakes and control the paint,'' he said. "We talked about my responsibilities in leading this team.''

The Magic (7-3) expect to get a boost Monday when All-Star Rashard Lewis returns from his 10-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, along with the return of Ryan Anderson, another outside-shooting big guy.

"We have a long way to go to play at that level (of the contenders),'' Van Gundy said. "We're not there yet. A lot of improvement has to be made before we reach that level. But there's also still a lot of time.''

Rafer Alston, who was traded by the Magic this summer to New Jersey, had the first triple double of his career, getting 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, but it had little effect on the game. It was Alston, obtained at midseason, who helped the Magic reach the Finals as the starting point guard in the absence of Jameer Nelson.

"With Dwight here, and playing like that, Orlando is always going to be tough to beat,'' Alston said. "He might have a down game or two, but you know he's going to be there. Sometimes it just takes a little nudge.''