Orlando, Fla. ? Dwight Howard was wearing his street clothes and Mickey Mouse ears after one Tuesday practice, laughing and entertaining the assembled media. Meanwhile, Jameer Nelson, the Orlando Magic’s other first-round draft pick, was one of the last players to leave the court after a jumping-shooting drill.

For now, the rookies are taking different routes, with Nelson’s just not as scenic.

Things are going well for Howard, the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick who recorded double-figure rebounds in nine of the Magic’s first 10 games. Coming off the bench for point guard Steve Francis, Nelson has seen his playing time shrink the past few weeks.

Thirteen minutes one night, seven minutes the next. Sixteen minutes another evening, six of those coming in mop-up duty. Lately, Nelson has been relegated to just five-to-six minutes, barely.

For four years at Saint Joseph’s, he started every game and became the school’s most celebrated player.

“I’ve never been through anything like this before,” he said.

Which is why he told his father, Floyd “Pete” Nelson, to hold off on writing a book about him.

The college basketball player of the year last season, Jameer wanted to wait a while until he established himself in the NBA. Then he’d feel better about his life story hitting the shelves.

But his father went ahead and co-authored with a family friend a recently released book, “JAMEER.”

It is awkwardly subtitled, The Story Of Jameer Nelson and How He Came To Be A Phenomenon On The Basketball Court and In Life.

Nelson is not thrilled.

“I don’t want to talk about it, really,” he said.

Asked if the book had affected his relationship with his father, he said, “No, we’re cool.”

The only other thing Jameer will say is, “They’re going to have to write another book.”

You don’t have to read between the lines: Nelson is certain he’ll become a standout one day.

“I want to be like Grant Hill,” he said.

Nelson is averaging just 3.2 points, 1.8 assists and 10.4 minutes per game. He’s shooting a chilly 30 percent.

He hasn’t gotten much playing time lately because of his own struggles and because Francis is averaging almost 40 minutes per game. And Hill has played more than maybe anybody expected, averaging 35.8 minutes, while also manning the point-guard spot when Francis slides over to shooting guard.

When Hill moves over, Hedo Turkoglu has come in at small forward. His minutes have increased.

“It’s all of those things,” Magic coach Johnny Davis said. “And sometimes the matchups are not there. I’ve talked to Jameer. I want him to make a mark on the game when he comes in.

“But he’s coming along nicely.”

Nelson is generously listed at 6 feet, but he has had to make more mental adjustments. The NBA has been a humbling experience.

“I’m not frustrated … because we’re winning,” Nelson said of the Magic. “I’m not going to get down on myself. I’ve been through tougher situations in my life. I know if I keep working I’ll get time.”