Dwight Howard believes he's what Tracy McGrady needs to be successful in Orlando.
McGrady has told the Magic he wants a trade to a contender, preferably one with a quality big man. But Howard, the prep sensation selected first in the NBA draft, wants the disgruntled superstar to know that help is on the way.
"Tracy, I hope that you stay and play with me a couple of years," Howard said Thursday night from New York. "I think we'll be a really good combo."
In a draft without a clear No. 1, the Magic went with the promising 18-year-old Howard over the more seasoned Emeka Okafor, who led Connecticut to a national title. Howard became the third high schooler taken first in the NBA draft since 2001.
It may take time for Howard to grow from high school phenom to NBA superstar -- as McGrady did -- but the Magic were willing to wait rather than make the safe pick.
"When you have the first pick, your responsibility is to pick the best player," Magic general manager John Weisbrod said. "Our guys had a lot of conviction that he was the best player."
Orlando then traded a future first-round pick to Denver for the draft rights to St. Joseph's point guard Jameer Nelson. The Nuggets selected Nelson, The Associated Press' college player of the year, with the 20th pick.
The draft is the first major step in rebuilding the woeful Magic, losers of an NBA-worst 61 games last season, their first sub-.500 record in 12 years.
The next step is deciding what to do with McGrady. The two-time scoring champion nearly was dealt to the Houston Rockets earlier this week, according to reports, but the Magic backed off Tuesday to concentrate on the draft.
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.... but this is late and dwight howard wil be a bust and okafor will be dope
