Howard has anchored a team that ranks in the top five in key defensive categories. He leads the NBA in blocks while on course to defend his rebounding title. "I was hoping Obama would name me his 'Secretary of Defense,' " Dwight Howard (above) grinned. He could be named Defensive Player of the Year. His maturity mirrors the Magic's development. Howard has pushed Orlando to the top -- much the way Shaq did.

"I talked about winning a championship when I got here and people laughed at me," he said. "Now I want to carry around that trophy with my [Olympic] gold medal."

'The Rook'

Asked what has surprised him so far, General Manager Otis Smith said, "The rookie."

Injuries and inconsistent play have forced Coach Stan Van Gundy to run the shooting-guard spot by committee -- until lately. With Mickael Pietrus injured for nearly half the season, and Keith Bogans and J.J. Redick floating in and out of the lineup, the club has settled on rookie Courtney Lee (above).

Coincidence or not, Lee has started the last seven games -- all Magic wins -- and averaged 10.1 points.

Amazing what can happen when you hit on a draft pick. Then again, Redick (Class of '06) also has found his shooting eye again.

Lee looks like the complete package. And it's his cool -- "It's just Basketball," he shrugs -- that has impressed the Magic. "I haven't seen his demeanor change whether he's playing against Kobe or anybody else," Van Gundy said.

Let 3-dom ring

No need to wait until all-star weekend to see the long-distance shoot-out. Just watch the Magic.

It looks as if they are holding a contest every game, shooting more 3-pointers than any team, hoisting up an average of 26 per outing.

But it's no gimmick: The Magic lead the league in 3s made (430) and accuracy (40.3).

They set an NBA record for most 3's in a game (23) at Sacramento. They made 60 of 113 during the four-game trip. Largely freeing up the shots is all the attention Howard draws.

"When you're 33-8, there's no such thing as too many 3s," Lewis said. "If we were 8-33, then maybe. But we're going to go with what's rolling and what's helping us win."

And now the hard part

There's title talk in the air. The bandwagon is filling up. And the Magic are in position to threaten the 1995-96 team's franchise-best 60-22 record.

And yet Jameer Nelson contends he's being more realistic than pessimistic when he says, "We haven't done anything yet."

True. They haven't shown they can beat the Celtics or the Pistons this season (and they've yet to play the Cleveland Cavaliers).

The regular season is where the assembly of a contender takes place; the postseason is where the product rolls off the line to pass inspection.

They've yet to dig a foothold. The Magic have won just one playoff series (beating Toronto) before being ousted again by the Detroit Pistons last season.

What will happen when it counts? "Let's face it: The Pistons have gotten the best of us; it's been a one-sided fight," veteran Tony Battie said. "You've got to go through the champs and you can't forget Cleveland. Those teams have to go through us, too. I'm really anxious to see how it plays out for us."

The Magic believe they can contend for a title, but they also realize the real seal of approval is earned long after an inauguration.