Q: The Orlando Magic has put together a great young nucleus with Dwight Howard, Carlos Arroyo, Jameer Nelson, and yes Darko Milicic. First, do you think the Magic will re-sign Grant Hill and second, do you think the Magic is a true playoff contender for years to come?
— C. E. Wilson, Phoenix

A: If we put together a team of our friends, we could be a contender in the East for years to come. So Orlando has a chance. I'd say they should bring back Grant, though he could opt for a year for a team closer, like the Spurs, to get a chance to play in the Finals. I don't see the Magic quite there, though I have a hard time figuring in the East who would be. I think there are issues with Milicic and wouldn't be surprised if they let him go. He plays without much energy and doesn't exactly fit their style of play. Though with the way Dwight Howard is coming on, anything is possible.

Q: I'm curious, how come no one has nominated Paul Westphal for the Hall of
Fame? Same question for Jack Sikma?
— Carlo Hipolito, San Juan, Phillipines

A: I've been on panels for the Hall of Fame in previous years and Sikma's name does come up at times. They were both very good players. Westphal is more of a stretch because his premier years were fewer and he didn't play for a champion, though that 1976 Suns team was close and may have played the greatest game ever. Sikma was a key player on that 1979 Seattle champion, but that team gets slighted because there were so many good players about a similar level. He never averaged 20 points and while I don't go only by statistics, it's like 20 wins in baseball and pitchers who never reached that rarely make the Hall of Fame. Though I think he deserves closer scrutiny and stronger consideration.

Q: What do the Houston Rockets need to do in order to get back to being one of the top teams in the Western Conference?
— Yuri Wyatt, San Diego

A: They're closing in on that, now if they can only trade for Tracy McGrady. The question for them is whether McGrady will ever return to the elite, five tool star he was. It's doubtful given all his health problems with his back and a reputation as not particularly diligent with his rehab and conditioning. He never was the defender he started out to be and could have been had he stayed with Vince Carter. But he hasn't had the stamina this season to score consistently, and if that doesn't return, the Rockets will remain behind the Spurs and Mavericks despite a good coaching job being done by Jeff Van Gundy this season in trying to open their game some while still playing solid defense.

Q: Will Adam Morrison be an impact player this season?
— Tom Pennell, DeWitt, Mich.

A: I think he will be a good scorer in the NBA, but it's difficult to have a great impact when a team isn't doing well. They've got some interesting pieces now that Emeka Okafor is back and playing well, especially on defense. The question with Morrison will be whether he reigns in his shooting and develops more in his game. Now he's mostly a one dimensional player and teammates aren't going to stand around and watch him shoot unless he contributes more. But he has a chance to be an exciting player because he seems unafraid to take chances.

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