ORLANDO - In a preseason matchup between teams involved in a summer blockbuster trade, Steve Francis scored 17 points against his former club to lead the Magic to a 95-72 victory over the Rockets on Saturday night.
Houston played without Tracy McGrady, the centerpiece of the seven-player swap, and Juwan Howard. Both sat because coach Jeff Van Gundy wanted to "look at other players."
The crowd booed McGrady the two times he was shown on the arena's videoboard. One sign mockingly welcomed back "McGray" - no D.
The ill will is mutual. McGrady accused Magic general manager John Weisbrod of trashing his character to shield himself from criticism after the Magic's 61-loss season. Weisbrod has questioned McGrady's effort, implying McGrady was incapable of leading a winning team.
"When you say things like (Weisbrod) said, that's just covering (yourself)," McGrady said. "I hated losing, but it just got to the point where we were losing so much, you kind of get used to it. Going into games, it was like "Oh, we're going to lose, so let's just get it over with.' That's how the mentality was with a lot of guys, not just me."
In other Magic news, commissioner David Stern said if the 15-year-old TD Waterhouse Centre isn't replaced soon, "I think we'd have a problem."
The Magic's ownership has wanted a new home for years, claiming its 17,248-seat arena lacks moneymaking amenities such as luxury boxes. Team president Bob Vander Weide said preliminary talks have begun with city officials.
CAVS GIVE WILLIAMS A LOOK: Jayson Williams, 36, acquitted in April of aggravated manslaughter in the shooting death of a limousine driver, worked out with the Cavaliers. "He can still play," coach Paul Silas said. Williams retired from the Nets in 2000.
THEY ALL COUNT: Coach Jerry Sloan had the line of the week when asked about the realigned divisions, putting his Jazz the Northwest. "Who's in it?" he said. "I don't know. We all have to play 82 games."
