As much of an optimist as Doc Rivers can be, even the coach of the Orlando Magic admits that Shawn Kemp will never again average 19 points and 11 rebounds like he did in taking the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals.

"Shawn Kemp is not ever going to be the Shawn Kemp he was five years ago," Rivers said.

But despite Kemp's weight being "in the 310 area," according to Rivers' estimate, heading into training camp, the Magic hope the six-time all-star can be the sort of offensive threat they haven't had at center on a consistent basis since Rony Seikaly.

The Magic were interested in signing Kemp even before Steven Hunter, their top pick in the 2001 draft, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last month at a camp in Bradenton.

"He (Kemp) can shoot the hell out of the ball," Rivers said. "He's a phenomenal passer, which is something I've been looking for in a big (man) for three years."

But questions about Kemp's stamina could make him little more than a younger and heavier version of Patrick Ewing, who retired Tuesday after contributing little to the Magic last season. Kemp played an average of only 16.4 minutes in 75 games with Portland a year ago.

"Even if we get him in shape, I still don't know how many minutes he can play at the shape that he's in," Rivers said. "I just know that he can still play basketball. He's pretty functional when he's on the floor. We'll see."

DEEPLY DEVOTED

Mike Miller continues to be an icon within more than the immediate radius of his hometown of Mitchell, S.D.

The night before he attended the wedding of Pat Garrity in North Dakota, Miller rented a high-school gym for the sole purpose of practicing his shooting. Rivers said that local newspaper accounts the following day estimated 500 people showed up in the stands to watch Miller, whose deep bone bruise and sprained left ankle that incapacitated him in March and April seem to have healed.

From what little Rivers has seen of the intrasquad five-on-five games at the RDV Sportsplex this month, Miller has been playing the best of anyone. Although Miller has connected on almost 40 percent of his 3-point attempts in two years with the Magic, Rivers has had a hard time getting him to shoot more often.

"I'm still trying to get Mike to seek out shots," he said. "I've always thought of him as a reluctant shooter. If I had his jump shot, you'd have to put handcuffs on me."

CAMP CUSHY?

When training camp opens Oct. 1 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, there will be at least one noticeable change. Rivers claims he will not subject his players to the grueling series of sprints that he has ordinarily made them run the first day of practice.

The Magic plan to practice twice a day for the first four days before holding a free public scrimmage Oct. 5 at the UNF Arena at 6:30 p.m.