Magic rise is no surprise

The Orlando Magic seem to have beaten the curve on their way to elite status. Yes, they have Dwight Howard, but it seems like their trip to the NBA Finals last season came maybe a little sooner than expected. That's not necessarily the case, as far as Rick Carlisle is concerned. The Mavericks' coach said the Magic's plan has been sound from the start, beginning with a key free-agent acquisition. "When they signed Rashard Lewis to a $100-plus-million deal and made him their starting power forward, that was going to make them a team that was going to shoot a lot of threes, and shoot them well,'' Carlisle said Monday. "With Howard on the inside and a bunch of shooters and drivers on the outside, they have the framework of a really effective system.'' That it came to fruition last year shouldn't surprise anybody, especially given another important point. "Don't overlook the fact that they were No. 1 in the league in defensive points per possession last year,'' Carlisle said. "This is a terrific team. "When you sign of a player of Lewis' ability ... you're going to take a quantum leap in most cases.'' --Eddie Sefko