Orlando

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry


Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services 

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why. Doug Christie is coming to town. And so is Grant Hill. This will be Hill's first game against his old team in an amazing five years. He has never played at the Palace of Auburn Hills since being traded all those years ago. Christie is also expected to join the team tonight.

It's amazing, really, that Hill has not played in Detroit since being traded by them five seasons ago. It's amazing that he will do it tonight. Grant Hill, ankle and all, playing against a team that for half a decade ago looked forward to seeing him in a visitor's jersey. But how can anybody at this time do anything but cheer him on as he continues his miraculous Magic tour?

Christie was expected to join the team in Detroit but it's not clear if he will be cleared to play. Cuttino Mobley and Michael Bradley were unable to play last night because Christie had not yet undergone a physical in Orlando. If that's been taken care of, then presumably he could even see some minutes tonight.

Some first-time minutes for Christie on a new team, and some first-time minutes for Hill on a new team as far as the Detroit fans are concerned.

NEXT GAME
The Magic (19-15, third in the Southeast) play the world champion Detroit Pistons (20-14, second in the Central) TONIGHT. The game starts at 8:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on WRBW and NBA League Pass.

TEAM NOTES
Want the perfect gift for the Magic fanatic in your life? Want to shop easy and hassle free? Shop by phone, online or at TD Waterhouse this season and choose a Magic gift on your Magic fanatic’s wish list.

INJURY UPDATE
Michael Bradley(hamstring),Brandon Hunter(elbow) and Andrew DeClercq(knee) are on the Magic's injured list.

NEWSLINES

Greg Beacham ofThe Lawrence Journal-Worldwrites: Bibby sat on the sidelines next to new acquisitions Cuttino Mobley and Michael Bradley. The Sacramento newcomers were unable to play while awaiting Doug Christie's physical with Orlando, which will complete the clubs' trade.

The Associated Press writes: Grant Hill knew he would have to face the fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills someday. He just never dreamed it would take this long. Five seasons after forcing the Pistons to trade him to the Orlando Magic, Hill finally will face his old team tonight.He hopes. 

Helene St. James ofThe Detroit Free Presswrites: Myla Hill would angle up to her dad and smile and grab the wires attached to his left ankle. Just a little more than a year old at the time, she couldn't possibly know that most dads don't come with electrodes attached... Caring for that ankle, curing that ankle, conversing about that ankle and crying over that ankle has been such a staggering part of Hill's life that it consumed almost four years of his NBA career.Hill left the Pistons in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando in the summer of 2000 and only now, nearly five years later, he finally will play at the Palace again.

John Denton ofFlorida Todaywrites: In the NBA, there are the kids from Generation X-Box, and then there is Grant Hill, Renaissance Man.Some listen to rap music; Hill plays the piano. Some skip college and jump to the NBA straight from high school; Hill not only attended Duke, but stayed all four years. Some play video games, while Hill studies a possible future in real estate and voraciously tears through thought-provoking books about business. So it is fitting now as Hill prepares for his oft-delayed return to Detroit that he is thumbing through a book that relates to the Motor City. The title: "The End of Detroit."

Scott Andera ofThe Orlando Sentinelwrites: Starting Tuesday night during coverage of the Detroit Pistons- Orlando Magic game, Sunshine Network will introduce a dramatically different look that includes changing its name to Sun Sports.The channel's strong programming lineup, which includes live broadcasts of Magic games, football and basketball games for Florida, Florida State and UCF, and Tampa Bay Lightning hockey (if the NHL ever plays again), as well as good original shows, won't change. But the look of that programming will.

Ian Whittell ofThe UK Times Onlinewrites: The decision by the Orlando Magic to trade Cuttino Mobley, one of their leading players, to the Sacramento Kings this week, in exchange for Doug Christie, the veteran, did not meet with the approval of Steve Francis, Mobley’s team-mate and close friend.