The two-year reign coach Brian Hill is still hanging by a thread.

Since the season ended with an embarrassing first-round playoff sweep by the Detroit Pistons, the Magic have been dealing with a public relations nightmare, leaving fans to wonder who will be coaching the team when next season begins.

Hill just finished the second year of a four-year contract, but team president Bob Vander Weide said that he wasn't sure that Hill would be back, opening the door to a wave of speculation.

Included in that speculation was that Vander Weide could be waiting to see if University of Florida coach Billy Donovan -- who just won back-to-back NCAA titles -- might be interested in jumping to the NBA. Vander Weide questioned Hill's deliberate style of play and his unwillingness to use young players like rookie guard J.J. Redick.

After Vander Weide questioned the coach, it led to rumors that Hill could be fired any day. Hill has declined almost all comment, saying he was still going forward as if he will be the coach.

The Magic reached the playoffs for the first time in four years and improved from 36 to 40 victories in Hill's second season. But the raised expectations, which stemmed from a fast start, made the finish seem disappointing.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
The youth is promising. Dwight Howard had four games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Most were early in the season. He also had a 30-point, 20-rebound game. Their start of 13-4 raised expectations considerably, especially coupled with a good ending the year before. Grant Hill also finished the season healthy for the first time in his seven-year contract with the Magic.

TURNING POINT
A midseason slump lingered for months, and they struggled to find the intensity that it takes to win games through a long NBA season. They lost too many games to the weak teams like Atlanta, Charlotte and Boston. They were among the league leaders in turnovers and among the worst free throw shooting teams in the league.

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