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InsideHoops.com is examining each NBA team as the 2005-06 season approaches. Today, a look at the Orlando Magic.

Coach: Brian Hill (8th season, 222-227)

Last season: 36-46, missed playoffs.

Projected Starters: C Kelvin Cato, F Dwight Howard, F Grant Hill, G Steve Francis, G DeShawn Stevenson.

Key Subs: F/C Tony Battie, F Pat Garrity, F Hedo Turkoglu, G Jameer Nelson, G Keyoon Dooling.

New Faces: C Rueben Boumtje-Boumtje, G Travis Diener (r), Dooling.

Key Losses: G/F Doug and Jackie Christie, F Fran Vasquez (r) – see below.

Strengths: Dwight Howard is a stud, plain and simple. Not only could he soon become the league’s best rebounder, but he just may steal all our girlfriends in the process if we’re not careful. The combo of Howard, Tony Battie and the underrated Kelvin Cato may be one of the better frontcourts in the East. They’re tough, they bang and can score more than you might think. Put all three on the floor together and the match up problems could cause an opposing coach to have a seizure. Hedo Turkoglu provides a lot of energy and scoring from the bench. He's a legit sixth man of the year award candidate this season.

Weaknesses: Steve Francis is not a leader. The sooner Brian Hill discovers this, the better. In fact, the sooner he decides that Francis isn’t a point guard the better off they’ll be. Although in preseason it's been Francis at the point and Stevenson at shooting guard, during the season Keyon Dooling should supplant Francis at the point and allow Francis to move to the two. It isn’t so much that Francis isn’t still a budding star, but if he wants to be considered among the league’s elite, the time to step up is now. Otherwise, clear the stage for young Dwight. Off the bench, Pat Garrity needs to find a way to recapture his shooting touch from a few years ago or his minutes will evaporate. Also, it's great that Grant Hill is good and healthy again.

Outlook: I’m not one for reading a crystal ball, but it doesn’t take much to see that this team still has a long way to go. On paper they might look like a reasonably talented bunch, but on paper, “Gigli” sounded like a good idea too. The franchise rests solely on the shoulders of prep-to-pro phenom Howard. It’s nice to see Grant Hill return to his all-star form, but it is difficult to imagine the team relying on him for more than two months at a time.

Sure Sign of Trouble: The disappearance act of lottery pick Fran Vasquez. Something has gone horribly wrong when the 11th pick of the draft spurns your team and millions of dollars to stay on another continent. Could be worse though… the Christies could still be in town. The jettisoning of them should be worth five wins alone.

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