The Orlando Magic are just now finishing up practice. Big men are at one end shooting free throws while guards are at the other end. Doc Rivers has just beaten Tracy McGrady in a three-point shooting contest. About 30 reporters and camera guys gather near the edge of the court. As I walk through the tunnel toward the floor, people whisper and stare.

Yes folks, I have arrived.

But they weren’t looking at me. Just behind me are Master P and his 12-year-old son/protege Lil’ Romeo. The two walk right out on the court.

“What up, P?” shouts Troy Hudson, his concentration blown for the day. “Ya heard me?” P replies.

Romeo heads for a ball rack at halfcourt when his dad stops him in his tracks. “Ro, say hi to coach before you start shooting,” says father. Doc is holding a small meeting on the floor with T-Mac and Horace Grant. P and Romeo chat with the coach and his players for a few minutes.

The father-and-son rappers are in town for a concert their record label, No Limit, is giving at the end of the week. Master P’s return to Charlotte is somewhat of a homecoming. Back when he was going through his NBA wannabe phase, he spent preseason camp with the Hornets. The Hornets spent preseason that year humoring him. Right now P is in training to become the Spike Lee of the South when the Hornets move to his hometown of New Orleans next season.

“I figured I would come back and show my love for the game, ya heard me?” says P. You bet I hear you.

After talking with Doc and T-Mac, Master P and his son shoot some jumpers. Some even come real close to the rim. In his songs, Romeo likens himself to Kobe, his favorite player, and says he’s going straight to the pros after high school. He’s actually supposed to be pretty good, but I can’t tell because he’s trying to launch threes. And he’s only 4’8”. “Don’t shoot from that far out,” instructs dad. “You’ll mess up your form.”

Is that what happened to your J, Percy? Pop clanks a few corner treys, then gives up. “You gotta go P Diddy,” shouts T-Mac. Not a moment too soon.

“I just gotta get my touch back,” Master P insists. The Hornets could be back in Charlotte by then. Ya heard me?

Chris Palmer covers The NBA Life for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at christopher.palmer@espnmag.com.