NBA JAM: ORLANDO MAGIC

Here's our continuing rundown on the NBA season: Neil Acharya takes a look at the Orlando Magic.

Last season: 36-46, 10th in Eastern Conference
Coach: Brian Hill
New faces: Othella Harrington
Funny-looking white guy: J.J. Redick, with his collar popped
Blogs: OrlandoMagic Blog

The Orlando Magic have the dubious distinction of a team that has been re-built, twice, in three years.

The good news for fans of Orlando is that there finally seems to be some stability. Last years squad finished the season 8-2 in the last 10 games, second best in the entire NBA tied with Memphis and only the Bulls were hotter with one more win. This is undoubtedly the year of Jameer Nelson for the Magic.

Last year was a breakout year for the little guard from Chester, Pa., who started off the year backing up Steve Francis and took advantage of his increased minutes after Francis was shipped out. He improved in virtually every statistical category and suffered no sophomore jinx. The Magic offence will run through Nelson and Dwight Howard, the massive power forward who is only 20 years old.

The small forward position is filled out by Hedo Turkoglu, who runs hot and cold; this may not be as big of an issue as last year if his backup, Grant Hill, can stay healthy. The shooting guard position will be interesting to watch, with Keyon Dooling expected to step up and show why he was a lottery pick. His backup, J.J. Redick, is aiming to refute the notion that players out of Duke (or as Neate calls them, the University of New Jersey at Durham Floorslappers) can't do it in the NBA.

Tony Battie will play the centre spot; he started all 82 games last year and had one of his better seasons. The Magic hope he will continue to play steady and try to work in Darko Milicic, the former No. 2 overall pick who was traded to the Magic from the Pistons last season. Milicic was traded near the end of last season and will be more accustomed to the new city and team this season. To top it off, he is still only 21 years old.

Last season, the Magic's strong finish left just four games out of the final Eastern playoff spot. This season, look for this club to challenge both the Heat and the Wizards and become the pest of the Southeast Division.

Also in Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards