This Magic show is no disappearing act

NO, THEY AREN'T

Overall, the Magic are better than they were, but not quite as good as they need to be to battle on even terms with the NBA's top-tier ball clubs. As they are currently constituted, however, the Magic are a very dangerous team that nobody is eager to confront in the playoffs.

But give them a few more spare parts and another season to get their collective mojo working at peak proficiency, and the Magic will really be for real.

Straight Shooting

Since Kobe Bryant recently passed Larry Bird's career point total, it's only natural to compare these two superstars. So, here's my two cents:

If Bird was a better shooter, Kobe is much more creative.

Although they were both shoot-first players, Bird has the edge in the passing department — one reason for this being that he was usually surrounded with better teammates.

Bird was a superior rebounder, because of his size advantage and because he often played the power forward slot.

Kobe is a better man-to-man defender, but Bird had a more evolved understanding (and execution) of team defense.

Bird's instincts and anticipation remain unsurpassed, while Kobe is a vastly superior athlete.

Both were peerless in the clutch, and their respective competitive spirits were likewise unparalleled.

Bird was a much more formidable trash-talker.

Bird was much more coachable and more popular with his teammates.

Kobe is quicker, has a better handle and more dynamic ups, but neither was a powerhouse.

Bird had a better left hand.

Had Bird not spent so much of his career playing with Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, Kobe would still be trailing him in career scoring. It should also be noted, however, that because of the modern prohibitions against hand-checking and cut-bumping, it's much easier to score now than it was then.

So who's the better player? Don't ask me.

Vox Populi

Why are certain players credited as being great (like Kevin Garnett or Dirk Nowitzki) when they don't normally score or contribute when it matters like in crunch time? — Sean, CA

Because the media hoops pundits and image-makers are unduly influenced by numbers.

Because guys like KG and Nowitzki do have incredible skills that make incredible highlight snippets. Because they usually engage in cooperative and interesting interviews. And because they manage to stay out of trouble.

In other words, all the wrong reasons.

Travels with Charley

There was (and hope there still is) a fantastic restaurant in Savannah simply called "Mrs. Wilkes." The place had no identifying signage and never advertised. Yet all the locals knew about it, so there were lines around the block for the only two meals they served, breakfast and lunch.

It was an all-you-can eat establishment and the customers sat at long tables, usually in the company of strangers. Waitresses brought heaping platters of choice southern chow — fried chicken, catfish and okra. Collard greens, black-eyes peas, mashed this, stewed that. Everything was absolutely scrumptious, and there was no way to avoid overeating.

Well, one fine day my good buddy Gerald Oliver brought his Charleston Gunners to town for a game against the team I was coaching, the Savannah Spirits. A native of Tennessee, Gerald just loved to eat down-home food.

So on the afternoon before we were scheduled to play, I told Gerald about Mrs. Wilkes. Great food in unlimited quantities at an incredibly low price. And seeing as how he'd never find it by himself, I offered to join him and his players for a mid-day repast.

Naturally, both Gerald and his team ate much more than they usually did for a game-day lunch. No surprise that they were bloated and lethargic come game time. Nor that the home team coasted to an easy win.

Afterwards, Gerald could only laugh at my ploy. "You know something, Charley," he said in a whisper. "Having a meal like that reminded me of how my mother used to cook when I was growing up. You know something else, Charley. Losing the game was almost worth it. Almost."