Friday, July 16, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.
The Orlando Magic hit the jackpot last month in the NBA draft, getting the nation's best high school player, Dwight Howard, with the top overall pick, then trading a future first-round pick to Denver for Jameer Nelson, the John Wooden Award winner for the top college basketball player of 2004.
Both are in Las Vegas this week highlighting the Magic's summer league roster, and each is adjusting to going from being the top dog at his level to just anohter rookie in the association, albeit a first-round rookie.
Howard made his Vegas Summer League debut Thursday at the Cox Pavilion, after missing Wednesday's game to attend the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. Hampered by foul trouble, Howard tallied five points and five rebounds in seven minutes of first-quarter play, then added another six rebounds and two points in his next 23 minutes.
"I'm getting used to the calls. I'll come in tomorrow and not worry about the refs," Howard said. "Tonight, I was just out of sync. Tomorrow I'll come back and play hard."
Howard is quiet and enthusiastic, and knows that he's in for some major adjustment from the style of play he's used to since emerging as a star at last year's Big Time Tournament here.
"Getting into the physical contact, it's different from playing in high school," he said. "You've got to find out more ways to beat your opponents than you can imagine. The players are just taller and bigger."
Orlando coach Johnny Davis said it's not just adjusting to the physical play that will challenge Howard, but rather it's the fact that he'll be playing against players just as talented as he is night in and night out.
"Any guy, any night is capable of going out and making you work and causing problems, whereas before, sometimes they didn't see the best every night," Davis said.
Davis was concerned that if opponents don't get to them, Howard and Nelson's new schedule might.
"You're constantly on the road. You play 82 regular-season games, eight preseason games, training camp, and if things go well, the playoffs," he said. "There are no off nights. Every night, you're facing someone who is the top player in terms of professionals in the league."
Davis also pointed out that the physical play isn't just limited to Howard and the frontcourt. Nelson, about 5 inches shorter than his listed height of 6 feet, is also getting used to the more active style of play.
Nelson went 12-for-18 from the field Thursday in scoring 26 points with eight assists, both highs for him in his five summer league games. Last year at St. Joseph's, Nelson averaged 20.6 points and 5.2 assists.
Like Howard, Nelson emphasized the fun he's having while getting used to the NBA play.
"Everybody's quicker. The athletes here are at a different level, even at the summer leagues," he said. "Nobody's going to overlook me. You can't overlook anybody here.
"They've been great. They're very coachable. They're recognizing and doing the things they have to do."
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