Magic ready to perform

Orlando general manager Otis Smith made a slew of moves to improve an already proficient team, adding Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, and even pulling Jason “White Chocolate’’ Williams out of exile. The Magic are loaded, primed to make a serious push for another Eastern Conference title, and with some better execution - i.e. free throw shooting from Dwight Howard - they could reach the pinnacle this time.

The Magic’s offseason moves didn’t make the splash on the NBA landscape that Cleveland’s acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal and Boston’s signing of Rasheed Wallace did, but Orlando can’t be ignored.

“I think we’re all sort of chasing each other,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I haven’t seen or read too many people actually predicting us to win it.

“Everything I read is either Cleveland or Boston. So I think, even getting to the Finals, I don’t think the national media has really bought into us as the best team in the East.’’

Van Gundy is a brilliant motivator, especially in emphasizing the underdog theme. He definitely will remind his team that the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Lakers are considered elite teams, the Magic a step below.

Their busy offseason generated as many questions as answers.

Will Vince Carter regain his vintage form and serve as a more athletic replacement for Hedo Turkoglu? Is Jameer Nelson recovered from his shoulder injury? Is Brandon Bass ready for the starting power forward position?

Some critics seem to think Orlando’s Eastern Conference title run was a byproduct of Boston not having Kevin Garnett and Cleveland’s lack of a productive center.

The Magic will have to prove they can knock off those clubs at full strength and prevail in a Southeast Division that suddenly has become competitive.

“We have no excuses this year, everybody has experience, the coaching staff as well,’’ said small forward Rashard Lewis, who will serve a 10-game suspension for violation of the league’s anti-drug program. “The only thing we have to do is minimize our mistakes. It’s the small things that win championships.’’

Last season, Turkoglu and Lewis combined to stretch the floor, allowing Howard room to maneuver in the paint. But two things became apparent during the Finals: Howard lacks a go-to post move and he is an erratic free throw shooter. His missed free throws that were pivotal in the Game 4 loss to the Lakers. He missed a whopping 83 in the playoffs.

“It’s gone, yet I am still thinking about [the loss], every day,’’ Howard said. “Every day, I get a reminder looking at the TV, on ESPN seeing Kobe putting up the championship sign.

“Every day that I work out and in the weight room, all I think about is winning a championship. The biggest thing for me is having confidence and going out and doing it. So I just want to do a lot of reps, shooting the ball and shooting free throws.’’

Carter comes to Orlando following a 4 1/2-year stint in New Jersey, slightly past his prime but with enough explosiveness and savvy to join Howard and Lewis as a primary scorer. The former North Carolina standout has wowed NBA fans with high-flying dunks and acrobatic leaners for 11 years but has little to show for it in regards to team success.

For the first time in his career, Carter is in a situation where he is playing for one of the title favorites. That is not lost on him.

“When you see the entire team together, you say, ‘Man, so many shooters, a dominant big man,’ if everybody just plays their role, I like our chances,’’ he said. “And if we win the championship, I would probably run to Daytona Beach [his hometown].’’

Nelson returned from a torn labrum and didn’t make an impact in the playoffs. He is apparently healthy now, and the Magic sent backup Rafer Alston to New Jersey for Carter, erasing any doubt as to whether Nelson is the point man. The former Saint Joseph’s star was named to the All-Star team before the injury and will again have to prove he’s capable of running a championship-caliber team.

“Any time you come back from injury, you have something to prove to yourself,’’ he said. “It’s going to be interesting. Everybody can’t shoot the ball and everybody can’t score. It’s going to be a challenge for me to figure it out.’’

Like the Celtics and Cavaliers, the Magic have spent training camp attempting to develop chemistry. The team that was eliminated by the Lakers in five games has dramatically changed, but few outside of central Florida have taken notice.

“All of us have one goal, which is to win the championship,’’ said Howard. “We talked about it every day this summer.

“The one thing we all understand is that we have to sacrifice. We don’t care about who scores, who has the best numbers. We have a great team and I think the chemistry will be fine.’’