http://tinyurl.com/5qfe5 Shaquille gives Howard advice By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted December 20, 2004 Magic rookie Dwight Howard, 19, said he was "upset" he wasn't involved more in the offense after Sunday's game against the Miami Heat. He also expressed his frustration on the court to a player the 6-foot-11, 262- pound Howard literally looks up to. He was given some sage advice. Hang in there "young fella," Heat center Shaquille O'Neal told Howard. "I told Shaq that I was kind of upset that I didn't get the ball," Howard said. "He told me to keep working, that my time would come." Howard had just three shot attempts and scored seven points -- all seven coming at the free-throw line. If there has been a bright spot for Howard in his evolving offensive game, it is his free-throw shooting. He was 7- for-8. A 62 percent free-throw shooter, he has made 24 of his last 29. "Ten minutes of shooting before practice," Howard said. "That's helped. I just try to lock in now." Trip hangover Grant Hill and Cuttino Mobley said they were still recovering from the aftershocks of the club's longest road trip of the season -- a six-game, 10-day junket that ended Wednesday in San Antonio. "It takes a few days to recover," Mobley said. "I'm going to bed like at 6 a.m." Hill said he still was up "at 1:30 in the morning, watching TV, unable to fall asleep." Hill said he was talking with a trainer from his old team, the Detroit Pistons, who just laughed. Sidelined for all but 47 games the past four seasons, Hill's body has not been subjected to the rigors of the road. By the book You see a lot of weird things in the NBA, but seldom to you see an official call a player for stepping onto the court before throwing a benign inbounds pass. It's sort of like in baseball when the shortstop is in the "neighbor- hood" of second base during a double play. But referee Tony Brothers made the call on Magic center Tony Battie early in the third quarter against the Heat when he tossed the ball in. Battie was incredulous. Mobley had an even stronger reaction, disgustedly flipping the ball high into the air down the other end of the court. Mobley was whistled for a technical foul. "That's nit-picking," Coach Johnny Davis said. Point guard needed The Magic are looking for a third point guard, preferably a pass-first veteran. Hill said he enjoys his cameo appearances at the position when Steve Francis moves to shooting guard or is out of the game. "I like it, " Hill said. "I feel I can have an impact." Davis applauds Hill's work at point guard, but says that Hill's calling is at small forward. --

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