by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: November 20, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Nothing is more exciting in sports than watching raw power and strength dominate. Whether it be Tiger Woods bombing drives over 300 yards or Alex Rodriguez smashing another homer.

The Orlando Magic have their own version of raw power and strength in Dwight Howard. At six foot eleven inches, 265 pounds and a pair of shoulders as broad as field goal uprights, Howard is the definition of NBA stud.

The Magic are an intriguing young team to watch this year. Howard is the clear cut star of the team and has them off to a great start, and he is off to his best personal start.

Howard is only 21-years-old and is already in his third year of NBA play. He is averaging just over 22 points per game and 14 rebounds per game so far this season. Both would be career highs if they stay that high.

While it is true to say a team can only go as far as the star can take them, it is also true to say the star player still needs a good supporting cast. It looks as though Howard may have that this year. The rest of the team looks like this:

Point Guards: Jameer Nelson/ Carlos Arroyo
Shooting Guards: Keith Bogans/ Keyon Dooling/ J.J. Redick
Small Forwards: Hedo Turkoglu/ Trevor Ariza
Power Forwards: Rashard Lewis/ Pat Garrity/ Bo Outlaw/ Tony Battie
Centers: Dwight Howard/ Adonal Foyle/ James Augustine/ Marcin Gortat

While Nelson is not the most prolific point guard in the league, he is still young and improving. At age 25, he is a very balanced point guard that can score, pass and play a bit of defense. He compliments Howard very nicely.

Lewis and Turkoglu both average just over 38% from the three point line for their careers and they offer enough of a perimeter threat to keep the interior open for Howard. They are not great players on their own, but again, they compliment Howard very nicely.

The biggest question mark has to be the bench of the Magic. Their bench players are either mediocre veterans or unproven youth. Could they contribute toward winning? Sure they could. Will they? Who knows.

At the end of the day, Howard is the Magic and the Magic are Howard. If he continues to improve on his young career, the way he has so far, the Magic could be tough.

Prediction: Youth and energy plus shear power and dominance by Howard will carry them to the second round of the playoffs and no further.

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