Sam Cassell. Baron Davis. And, now, Chauncey Billups.

Squawk all you want about the Orlando Magic needing to get bigger and tougher along the frontline, but it's been that trio of taller point guards who have almost single-handedly knocked the Magic from the playoffs each of the past three seasons.

Three years ago, it was the 6-foot-3 Cassell, backing down an injured Darrell Armstrong and scoring repeatedly. Last spring, Davis used his quickness to get in the lane and create for others in a rout of the Magic. And this time around, Billups awoke from a five-game slump and slaughtered the Magic to the tune of 77 points in the final two games. Orlando's inability to slow down another muscle-bound point guard led to its squandering of a 3-1 lead and another first-round ouster from the playoffs.