The Magic are so concerned and mystified by a list of nagging problems that here's the real shocker: The least of them may be Grant Hill's left ankle.

The mere sight of a nervous Hill hobbling off to Baltimore to see his specialist makes our entire town flinch and finger rosary beads. Although the Magic keep a stiff upper lip better than the English and spin truths with White House precision, they did not appear shaken or stirred Tuesday.

Hill's doctor, Mark Myerson, says Grant has developed bone spurs unrelated to his previous ankle surgeries, but he expects Hill to be fully functional after a short rest. If he's not, then the Magic's biggest worry will be the spurs -- and not the ones in San Antonio.

Most people do not subject a repaired appendage to the harsh rigors of the NBA. And if it turns out that Hill is like most people and not bionic, then the franchise has lost a $93 million gamble, a grand goof second only to losing Shaquille O'Neal.

Right now, the Magic are more alarmed about their pitiful defense and weak-kneed rebounding, sorry symptoms of a team still playing as soft as the Sta-Puff Marshmallow Man.

Which brings to mind a line from a Paul Simon song that goes, "Why am I soft in the middle? The rest of my life is so hard!"