From Orlando Sentinel 大意和上兩篇有點類似，都是在敘述Howard的情況和魔術隊做決定的 經過。其中提到魔術隊對於Howard展現出來全方位的球技感到有興趣， 他們認為今天T-Mac 要走，魔術勢必要進入重建，而選了Howard就彷 彿得到了一個 6呎10吋的McGrady ……在三年後。 另外有提到他的心理態度成熟，因為在教堂合唱團的唱詩班，所以有 了這個綽號「Choirboy」。父親是高速公路巡警，知道這個消息後他 說「Praise the Lord!」。 另外是ESPN的評論家Dick Vitale 說我們十年後就會後悔今天選的是 Howard而不是Okafor（之前看太快看錯了，向大家說聲抱歉） 附上 6呎10吋的McGrady 帥照一張 http://tinyurl.com/358at ------------------------------------------------------------ 2004 NBA DRAFT High-school star goes No. 1 Potential lifts teen over top college player By David Whitley | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted June 25, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Orlando Magic chose a new face Thursday. It's barely old enough to need a razor. It's the smiling face of Dwight Howard, an 18-year-old high-schooler from Atlanta. He is only three years older than the franchise, and is now expected to salvage it from the National Basketball Association's junk heap. "It's a dream, but now it's a reality," Howard said. "I'm still pinching myself." The question is, how long will the resurrection take? And can win-pinched Magic fans wait? "That's a good pick," said Sean Pinto, who attended the Magic's draft party at Universal's NBA City. "We're rebuilding now." Pinto was in a group of 10 fans, nine of whom were high-fiving and celebrating Howard's impending arrival. Orlando had the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and basketball experts were less unified on the selection. Many thought the Magic should have gone with University of Connecticut center Emeka Okafor. Orlando basically chose Howard's superstar potential over Okafor's proven, yet less-enticing, skills. The disappointment Okafor fans may have felt may have been tempered later Thursday night when the Magic traded a future No. 1 pick for Jameer Nelson, the National Player of the Year last season at St. Joseph's. Nelson, a 6-foot guard, is projected as someone who should help immediately. Thursday's moves are the first act of a massive summer makeover. The next move will probably be trading star guard Tracy McGrady, who doesn't want to endure the rebuilding job. Whatever the Magic get in return, they will barely resemble the team that won an NBA-low 21 games last season. Looking different may not necessarily mean looking much better, at least not immediately. "We just took a 6-foot-10 T-Mac in three or four years," said Denny Horwitz, who wore a 1989 inaugural-season T-shirt to the draft party. He thinks Howard might approach exalted McGrady's status by 2007. But as a long-time fan, he's not sure he can wait that long to start feeling good about the team again. There's also the looming battle over a new arena, though the Magic probably could have picked up Shaquille O'Neal on Thursday night and not persuaded some voters that building an arena is a good civic investment. All that makes these the most consequential days since a doctor looked at Grant Hill's X-rays and said, "I think he'll be fine." That was four years ago, and Hill's tortuous recovery is a big reason the Magic are in their current shape. Having the top pick at least made them the main topic of national basketball conversation the past few days. The Okafor-Howard debate raged until NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the Magic's selection at 7:37 p.m. Magic General Manager John Weisbrod said team officials actually settled on Howard at about 1 a.m. Thursday. "I think when you have the first pick, your responsibility is to take the best player," he said. "Our guys just had a lot of conviction that this is the best player." Howard starred at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, which will never be confused for Duke or Connecticut. Choosing high-schoolers is a major gamble, but Howard's all-around skill was too intriguing for the Magic to pass up. They were also impressed with his maturity and lifestyle. He is nicknamed "Choirboy," and sings in his church ensemble. His father is a highway patrolman, whose reaction Thursday night was, "Praise the Lord!" Dick Vitale, ESPN's high-decibel analyst, wasn't quite ready to praise Howard to the heavens. "You know what?" he said. "In 10 years, they're going to regret not taking Emeka Okafor." Regret or rejoice, it won't take that long to find out. "Yes, sir," Howard said. "I'm willing to take on challenges." If that's the case, the kid's dream has definitely come true. Shannon Shelton of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. David Whitley can be reached at [email protected]. --

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