T-Mac top player for month

Magic guard Tracy McGrady, making a late-season run at Most Valuable Player, was chosen the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February on Friday.

McGrady averaged 26.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals while leading the Magic to an 8-3 record, best in the Atlantic Division for the month.

"He should be mentioned for it [MVP]," Magic Coach Doc Rivers said. "[New Jersey Nets guard] Jason Kidd is doing the same thing T-Mac does, as the lone all-star on a team. Jason and Shaq [Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal] obviously are playing for teams with better records, but T-Mac deserves mention."

It was the second time that McGrady was selected player of the month in February. Last year, he averaged 29.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and five assists, and -- not so coincidentally -- the Magic finished the month 9-3.

Atkins sees big picture

Detroit Pistons guard Chucky Atkins shared a pregame meal with Orlando coach Johnny Davis, who helped Atkins have a breakout season with the Magic in 1999-2000.

The next season, Atkins and Ben Wallace were sent to Detroit in a sign-and-trade deal that landed Grant Hill.

After 75 starts with the Pistons last season, Atkins lost his starting job to Dana Barros.

He complained about his lack of playing time before a pep talk from Joe Dumars, Pistons president of basketball operations, changed his attitude.

"I was frustrated and I vented," said Atkins, who averages 10.5 points and 3.3 assists. "I'm an emotional guy, and I let a lot of things out. Now I see things from the other side."

Barros has been out because of a pulled left hamstring since Jan. 10, allowing Atkins to reclaim his spot.

With Atkins at the guard spot, Detroit is 16-6 in the games Barros has missed.

Nets, Pistons impress

Rivers says it's a tossup between Dumars and New Jersey General Manager Rod Thorn for the NBA's executive of the year.

Thorn engineered a trade that sent Stephon Marbury to Phoenix for Kidd, a move the Nets have parlayed into the Atlantic Division lead. Dumars acquired Cliff Robinson and Barry.

The Pistons have 33 victories, one more than all of last season.