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Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu celebrates after a basket against the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA basketball game at the Amway Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando Sentinel. Stephen M. Dowell) ** LEESBURG OUT, LADY LAKE OUT, TV OUT, MAGS OUT, NO SALES **, Associated Press
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Orlando Magic point guard Gilbert Arenas (1) is pulled away by teammate Quentin Richardson (5) as he argues with a referee during the third quarter of an NBA Basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, in Atlanta. David Goldman, Associated Press
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Orlando center Dwight Howard shoots among three Dallas defenders during the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game at the Amway Center in Orlando Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Stephen M. Dowell - Orlando Sentinel, Associated Press
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Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki (top) fouls Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu during the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game at the Amway Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Stephen M. Dowell - Orlando Sentinel, Associated Press
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Orlando forward Earl Clark, center, drives between Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, left, and center Tyson Chandler, right, during an NBA basketball game at the Amway Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando Sentinel, Stephen M. Dowell) ** LEESBURG OUT, LADY LAKE OUT, TV OUT, MAGS OUT, NO SALES **, Associated Press
By Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stan Van Gundy has never been one to preach patience.

These days, he doesn't really have a choice.

The sobering state of the reconstructed Orlando Magic has forced the coach who lives and dies with every possession to face reality: After two blockbuster trades brought on by a midseason slide, the Magic are back in training-camp mode.

The Magic (16-12) have gone from legitimate championship contenders to a team tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference in the span of about three weeks. Orlando has lost eight of its last nine games and will have to find a way to come together in the most difficult part of its schedule or things could get even worse.

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The Magic host the NBA's top two teams next: San Antonio on Thursday and Boston on Saturday.

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