RealGM

By John Denton

FLORIDA TODAY

ORLANDO _ Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard said he feels no lingering effects from the slightly fractured sternum he suffered in the playoffs and he expects to be fully healthy next week when he reports to training camp for Team USA’s basketball team.

Howard, 22, opens training camp with Team USA July 21 in Las Vegas in preparation for the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Howard suffered the sternum injury in Game 2 of the Magic’s second-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, but never missed any time on the court. The extent of the injury wasn’t discovered until after the Magic were eliminated 4-1 by the Pistons.

``I’ve been cleared to play,’’ Howard said Tuesday. ``I’ve been working out and trying to get my (muscles) back. I can practice, I’m good to go.

``It bothered me a lot. I tried to play through the pain in the playoffs and I really didn’t know anything about it until after the playoffs. I just tried to play through it. I got sandwiched, my shoulders went in and it popped. It wasn’t a good feeling, but I’m happy to be healed.’’

Howard will be joined on Team USA by Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams. Tyson Chandler, the only other 7-footer on the roster, was named an alternate and will train with the team in Las Vegas next week.

Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski is the head coach, while New York’s Mike D’Antoni, Portland’s Nate McMillan and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim are the assistants.

Team USA will train in Las Vegas July 21-25. It will face the Canadian National Team on July 25 in the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge in Las Vegas.

Team USA will then travel to China to play two exhibition games in Macao, China, and two more games in Shanghai, China. Team USA will face Turkey (July 31) and Lithuania (Aug. 1). In Shanghai, Team USA will play Russia (Aug. 3) and Australia (Aug. 5).

Team USA’s basketball squad will arrive in Beijing on Aug. 6, and preliminary play will begin on Aug. 10. USA will face host China on Aug. 10 in its first Olympic game. Game 2 will be on Aug. 12 against African champion, Angola. One of the marquee games of the event will be Aug. 16 when Team USA faces FIBA World Champion Spain.

While he’s delighted about the Magic’s additions of free agent guards Mickael Pietrus and Anthony Johnson and the drafting of Courtney Lee, Howard isn’t too happy about the loss of Keyon Dooling. The Magic refused to meet Dooling demand for a $3.5 million, multi-year contract. He made a pitch to Magic GM Otis Smith on Dooling’s behalf, but was unsuccessful.

``I’m really hurt about it because Keyon is not only a great person on the court, but he’s an even better person off it,’’ Howard said. ``Just being around him he’s a great person. It hurts seeing that he’s not going to be here and we’re not going to have that presence in the locker room. I have to step up some more (in the locker room), be more vocal and take up for his loss.’’

theTHIEF wrote:wow, Howard has no pull huh?

theTHIEF wrote:wow, Howard has no pull huh?

laVal03 wrote:Howard should have went to Shard before Otis. Shard can afford to pick up the difference between what Otis wanted to pay and what Keyon wanted





it was a joke btw

I have to step up some more (in the locker room), be more vocal and take up for his loss.

mhectorgato wrote:

I have to step up some more (in the locker room), be more vocal and take up for his loss.

magicfan4life05 wrote:nothing much basically said magic "fiscally hands are tied" with Dooling which isn't true, they want to avoid the tax, he's saying they don't much anything to offer, dooling is upset but nothing he can do b/c, he wants to stay in FL

and then says pietrus needs to understand he's the 5th option and he's here for defense...sounds like some here know more than him

TheRevTy wrote:Hey Dwight, what if we get your old high school buddy on the team with you? Yeah? That make everything better? Sweet, catch you later, stay safe.

Love,
Otis

magicfan4life05 wrote:Some guy is on 1080 espn radio talking about the magic now


Tony Mejias from probball.com?

Sounds like he doesn't know much tho....