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Orlando Magic rookie forward Dwight Howard came straight out of SW Atlanta Christian Academy (GA). For his high school basketball career, Howard averaged 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.29 blocks per game. As a senior he averaged 25.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 8.0 blocks per game. The Magic took Howard first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. InsideHoops.com recently met with Howard for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: How's the season going for you? You're doing well, rebounding, blocking shots. How's the adjustment been to the league?

Dwight Howard: I think it's been pretty good. I'm just doing my role for the team. Having fun in the process. My offense will come, just keep playing defense, and once my offense matches my intensity on defense...

InsideHoops.com: How'd you spend your summer; what did you do to get ready?

Dwight Howard: I spent my summer with our big man, coach Clifford Ray, and big Smiff (Mick Smith), our trainer. Our condition trainer. So that's all I've been doing, weight-lifting and everything.

InsideHoops.com: Clifford's a legend and must have had a lot of good stuff to teach you.

Dwight Howard: Yeah, we were together, I'd say we weren't together about a week and a half, but other than that we were together the whole summer. I'm glad I'm a part of this team. It's great to be here.

InsideHoops.com: You guys are winning, and you're also fun to watch. You run.

Dwight Howard: That's what we need to do for us to be successful, is run. By us running it opens up a lot of opportunities for us to score. More uptempo than sitting at half court. Just watching the NBA game, people just sitting at half-court playing with the ball and then scoring at the last second, people (fans) don't like that, so I think by us getting out and running, it's enjoying to watch.

InsideHoops.com: And basketball should be running, not standing around all the time.

Dwight Howard: That's how we chose to play this year, and I think so far we're doing a good job.

InsideHoops.com: Right now InsideHoops.com has you up for favorite as the Rookie of the Year. Are you going to take that award?

Dwight Howard: I'm just going to keep working. Spend more days in the gym, as possible. Just trying to get my game up, and just keep playing. And if it's in God's will for me to win, then I'll get it. But right now I'm focusing on getting my team to the playoffs.