The Magic have at least two players on their roster who have the possibility of exploding for a triple double any given night. Steve Francis and Grant Hill are scorers, distributors, and rebounders, and when healthy, pack a versatile punch for the Magic.

Melanie Curtsinger writes on the Magic web site that Francis and Hill are among only four players of all time -- the other two being Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson -- to average 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists for each of their first five seasons. Hill was an All-Star six times, Francis three times.

Despite the versatility of both, it might be Jameer Nelson who in several months' time is averaging double digit assists. He's not going to be as good a rebounder as Francis or as good a scorer as Hill, but he just might evolve into the team's best distributor.

In other words, the Magic are a versatile bunch.

TEAM NOTES
Melanie Curtsinger writes: It’s the Orlando Magic by the numbers; 20 things you may not know, or may want to know, about the 2004-05 squad.When do the Magic meet former stars Shaq and Tracy McGrady? What uniform number will rookies Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson sport? What is the cheapest ticket to a Magic game?

NEWSLINES

The Miami Herald writes: Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis rented all six available rooms at the Browns Hotel on Miami Beach last weekend, but canceled because of the other Frances.

Press Release: The Orlando Magic announced today its 2004-05 local television schedule for both the Magic Television Network and Sunshine Network... 79 of Orlando’s 82 regular season games will be televised. During the regular season, the club will appear on the Magic Television Network (MTN) a total of 35 times, while Sunshine Network will carry 43 outings. Sunshine Network will also televise one preseason game. Former Magic head coach Matt Guokas will join play-by-play veteran David Steele for the call of all MTN and Sunshine Network telecasts. Orlando’s 2004-05 schedule also features one exclusive nationally televised regular season game on TNT, Thursday, January 20 vs. Houston.

Rick Pedone ofThe Osceola News-Gazettewrites: Many new faces dot the Orlando Magic roster this year, starting with No. 1 draft pick Dwight Howard.There are even more changes among the team’s entertainment arm, the Orlando Magic Dancers. Twelve of the 16 dancers are new, and one of them should be a familiar face to many in Poinciana and Kissimmee: Deanna Clover, a 25-year-old Poinciana High graduate.