Monday night’s game was no exception, as the 16-28 Pistons handed the 29-15 Magic their 16th loss of the season . . .and on Orlando’s shiny new home court, no less. And on a night where All-Star center Dwight Howard was playing primarily against a rookie in Detroit’s Greg Monroe, he managed to get just 13 shot attempts.

"Either we get it together or we’re just going to be a playoff team that doesn’t win a championship," said Howard, who was steaming after the game. 

"(Dwight) was frustrated tonight overall," said Gilbert Arenas. "I think easy plays that should’ve been made to him weren’t getting to him, and that kind of frustrates a guy who’s been dominating for the last month."

Indeed, Howard has been one of the league’s most dominant forces, averaging 24.5 points and 14.2 rebounds while shooting a hair under 60% for the month of January. The Magic were 8-3 for the month going into last night’s game, with their three losses coming to sure-fire playoff teams in Boston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City. The Magic, as a team, played like they just expected the Pistons to roll over, but instead Orlando found themselves under the bus.

"We just have to play," Howard said. "Everybody knows what to do. We’re professional athletes. We know what to do."

There’s no questioning Howard’s determination to win a championship, the real question is whether or not the pieces are in place around him to make that dream a reality. At times the Magic look absolutely championship-ready, but on other nights they look they lack the focus required to accomplish such a feat.

On the positive side, the Magic are extremely unlikely to face a team like Detroit in postseason play. But what if they decide to take one of the teams they do face lightly? Another premature playoff exit would certainly add fuel to the fire that is already starting with regard to Howard leaving the Magic via free agency. He’s their player to lose, but if the team doesn’t pull together and make some serious noise in the postseason they will certainly risk frustrating their franchise player further . . .and that’s never a good thing.

Mavericks Welcome Stojakovic

Peja Stojakovic is expected to be a key addition for the Dallas Mavericks, and while he was in Dallas this morning and played a limited role in shootaround, he won’t be ready to make his Mavericks debut tonight as the team takes on the Los Angeles Clippers.

"We’re evaluating his conditioning and his situation with his knee, so we’ll see," said Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. "We’re optimistic. He will not be active for tonight, so we’re going to evaluate this on a day-to-day basis. It’s pretty obvious to us the things that he brings, with great experience, size, great shooting ability, he’ll create space on the floor, and at almost 6’10" he gives us some length, too."

Carlisle did intimate that he feels Stojakovic will be able to swing back and forth between both forward positions, possibly starting at small forward and then relieving Dirk Nowitzki at the four spot, at times.

"He takes our shooting to a whole different level, which opens up Dirk’s post-up and penetration, so it’s a good acquisition for us," says Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson. "He hasn’t played basketball for a while, so it’s going to be a process for him. It’s not just sprints and in the weight room; when you’re bumping and grinding with guys that are 6’10" and can throw their weight around a little bit, it’ll take him a little while to get back in the swing of things."

"I’m excited," said Stojakovic. "It’s a lot of relocations for me this year, but I’m excited to be here, to be a part of something special. The Mavericks have been a great organization for the last 10 or 12 years, they’ve been in the playoffs, and I’m glad to be part of it."

Stojakovic was sidelined by swelling in his knee when he arrived in Toronto via trade, and only briefly donned a Raptors jersey. He was granted leave to return to his home in New Orleans, where he worked with his personal training staff to rehab the knee, which he now feels is nearly 100%.

"I feel OK, it’s just that I haven’t played basketball for the last four or five weeks and I have to get back into playing shape. It’s something where I have to work with the coaches and the trainers and keep progressing. … The main thing for me is to stay healthy, because when I am I can help this team with spacing because of my shooting. It’s something the coach is going to have to figure out exactly what my role will be."

Nelson said he has been discussing the possibility of bringing in Stojakovic for several weeks, ever since the word first surfaced that the Raptors might buy him out rather than keep him for his expiring contract. For Stojakovic, the decision was made much easier because he recognized Jason Kidd’s potential impact on his own game, and because he is familiar with Rick Carlisle’s system from their time together in Indiana.

"I have always been a big fan of J-Kidd," says Stojakovic. "He’s a guy who is always going to get you in the right position and then get you the ball in the right position. When you’re a shooter, there’s nothing better than playing with a great point guard. … Sometimes, when you don’t play basketball for so long, you kind of sit back and watch games and see where you can fit the best. I played for Rick in Indiana a couple of years ago and I’m really familiar with his philosophy. I know a few guys on this team, and I just felt that I would have a decent role here and, if healthy, be able to contribute." 

Stojakovic cleared his physical this morning and then joined the team belatedly for a light morning shootaround. It’s not clear yet whether or not he’ll play on Thursday when the Mavericks host the Houston Rockets, but he will definitely be in streetclothes tonight.

If healthy, Stojakovic can be a key ingredient for the Mavericks, who are still reeling from the loss of Caron Butler to a knee injury. That said, Donnie Nelson made it clear today that the Mavericks are not finished dealing, so stay tuned.

Humphries Making His Mark
 
Kris Humphries is one of those players who has been around the NBA for a while, everyone knows his name, but they don’t know much more about him beyond that. His career got off to an inauspicious start with the Utah Jazz, he then spent three quiet seasons in Toronto, before landing in Dallas last season. His last two moves, both into and out of Dallas, were more about his salary making bigger trades work. Shawn Marion was the Mavericks’ primary target when they acquired Humphries in the package deal from the Raptors, and when they traded him to the Nets they thought they were getting an upgrade (and an ending contract) in Eduardo Najera.

"We want Humphries back," Johnson told ESPN New York recently. "With what the Nets are all about and where we’re going, Humphries is our kind of player. We’ve told him that. I’ve told him: ‘We’d love to have you a part of our program as we move forward.’"

Humphries is having his best season as a pro this year, averaging 8.8 points and 9.4 rebounds for the Nets. In 27 starts he averaged 8.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, making him a solid front court partner for Brook Lopez. For his part, Humphries is thrilled with his new situation and the fact that they want him long-term.

"That’s really great to hear," said Humphries. "We’ve talked a little bit off and on. I think that the conversation came up right before they started starting Favors and stuff. It just kind of showed me that (Avery’s) making some different moves, but I’m still part of the big picture, so that feels good. It would be nice (to stay). I enjoy the people around here."