Orlando Magic News & Notes: T-Mac Wishes He Never Left, Would Become A Role Player

The Orlando Magic defeated the New Yorks Knicks 118-103 Friday night.

The Magic were happy to get a win but vowed to continue to work throughout the end of the season.

"The Magic (55-23) clinched the No. 2 seed in the East and won the Southeast Division on Tuesday night when the Hawks lost. And then they went out Wednesday night and showed why they are a championship contender once again with a thorough whipping of a Washington team that The Sporting News actually picked to win the division. For the record, the Magic just locked up their third consecutive Southeast Division title.“Going into the playoffs, we just want to continue to do the right things, especially on the floor and in practice,’’ Howard said. “Working on the small things, being aggressive on the defensive end and talking – that’s what going to set us apart come playoff time.’’"

You can read John Denton’s postgame analysis here.

The Magic don’t take nights off.

"Say this much for the Magic: They are finally getting a reputation as a bully on the block, winning for the 25th time by 15 or more points.“As much as I get on our guys, yell and scream, they don’t take nights off. They’re very professional,” Van Gundy said. “Our guys aren’t messing around.”A sign of the Magic’s frequent blow-outs: Reserve shooting guard J.J. Redick leads the team in fourth-quarter scoring (289 points)."

Brian Schmitz has that story here.

Josh Cohen and Dan Savage touch on several topics as they go “Around the Amway” here.

Knicks wing Tracy McGrady wishes he never left Orlando.

"McGrady: “You know what I really miss is just having that one year where every night, just the MVP chants. Just the feeling that I was getting when I was on the basketball court, hearing the crowd chant MVP. That was a special season for me as well. Don’t know how I did it looking back on it, but I miss that.”McGrady was asked if he and Vince Carter talk about playing together.“We talk about it. What could be. What could have been back in Toronto. We always, yesterday or the day before vented a little bit.”"

Tania Ganguli has more on McGrady here.

T-Mac said he would accept a diminished role next season and sounds like he wants to return to Orlando.

"McGrady left the door open for a return to the Magic.The Auburndale native, who scored six points on 2-of-6 shooting amidst a few early boos from the Amway Arena crowd, acknowledged once again that the Magic will be an “attractive” option for him this summer.“What makes Orlando attractive is they’re a team that’s competing for a championship,” McGrady said. “I played here. I have some history here. It’s home. It’s just an attractive place to play. Late in my career like this, yeah.”"

Josh Robbins has that story here.

The Magic are not going to rest players.

"A night after fellow superstars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant sat out games to rest for the playoffs, Howard played 37 minutes in his 79th consecutive game this season.“I’m not jealous. Those guys (Bryant and James) can rest, but I’m going to continue to play,” said Howard after getting 25 points and 13 rebounds in an easy 118-103 victory over the Knicks Friday night. “I think (Coach) Stan’s (Van Gundy) motto is ‘you can rest when you die.”’"

Tim Povtak has that story here.

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor on the Fansided Front Page and at Sir Charles In Charge. Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Twitter to follow him daily and you can get the HTD app here).