Orlando Magic working it out: Q&A with GM Otis Smith

A: We had guys like Carlos and Keyon playing behind Jameer for a reason. . . . to kind of hold him up. I don't think we're at the point anymore. We're at the point where he should be comfortable as your starter.

Q: Are you OK then at point guard? Johnson is no spring chicken at 34.

A: But A.J.'s experienced. He's going to be a real good asset for our team. He'll push Jameer as hard as those other guys did.

Q: Who gives you what Dooling did off the bench?

A: We're going to miss Keyon in certain areas. He brought a level of energy to us every night. I think MP (Pietrus) has that same kind of energy. Other guys are going to have to step up and do other things.

Q: It's Year 5 for Dwight Howard. What do you expect from him?

A: He has to be better. Let's not kid ourselves: We're only going to be as good as he wants us to be. There's a level of consistency that he has to play at every night. He still has some maturing to do. He isn't a finished product yet.

Q: And what Q & A would be complete without the obligatory question about J.J.? Any plans to grant his trade request?

A: Not at this point. I like him. I think J.J. can help us. He's worked his tail off this summer. I think in the next 20, 30 days we'll see how things shake out.

Q: This is a group of players that hasn't experienced a lot of winning. How do these players they then build off last season and not become complacent?

A: I don't think any of our guys have that mentality, 'We're fine if we just coast.' I think they're all fighting for something.

Q: You've stressed having the right kind of guys 'who fit.' Does this season define that?

A: I think so. It will be a test of our character when you take a team that, at this point, has just been riding the wave, so to speak . . . that has not been expected to win. Now, all of a sudden, they are expected to win. I know we have the guys with the right characteristics.

Q: You had dinner with Dwight, Jameer and Rashard Lewis. What vibes did you pick up?

A: Their minds are in the right place. They started giving it back to me. It was amazing to sit and watch them saying that we hadn't done anything yet. There was a little bit of anger to them. . . . why they didn't achieve their goals last season.

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