The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando general manager John Weisbrod asked his assistants the night before the NBA draft why the Magic should not pick Dwight Howard.

The high school senior, with stellar predraft interviews, had edged past Connecticut All-American Emeka Okafor atop the Magic's wish list. Now Weisbrod, wary of wasting the No. 1 pick on a mirage, was playing devil's advocate.

Howard, at 6 feet 9, 240 pounds, has impressive physical skills, but will he try to get by on those alone? Why won't the glitter and glamour of the NBA lifestyle ruin the 18-year-old? How long will his development take?

But the coaches and scouts never wavered under the questioning, and Thursday night's draft reflected their certainty.

"They picked the best person for the job," a confident Howard said Friday during his postdraft visit to Orlando.

By choosing potential over experience, Weisbrod is taking a risk in trying to rebuild after last season's 21-61 disaster. He acknowledges Okafor will give more help next season to the Charlotte Bobcats, who picked second, than Howard will help the Magic - but 2004-05 isn't the point.

"When you come into a draft, you're addressing the needs of your team, but when you have the No. 1 pick, your responsibility is to pick the best player," Weisbrod said.

BRYANT TRIAL: Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial will begin Aug. 27, more than a year after he was accused of raping a 19-year-old woman. The trial date was set by Judge Terry Ruckriegle. It is expected to last three to four weeks, including the process of questioning and choosing jurors.

A pool of about 1,000 potential jurors will be called. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are still wrangling over what will be included on the 115-item questionnaire.