"[Getting past the first round] is the big talk in Orlando, that we have to get the team past the first round, no matter what," Rivers said after Wednesday's shoot-around at Madison Square Garden. "I always thought that was ridiculous. If your team is good enough, then, yes, you should. But if you're not good enough, does that mean you should get there because someone says you should? That's dumb talk, but that's the way it is."

Rookie forward Britton Johnsen will get the nod over Donnell Harvey and start tonight in Orlando's opener in New York against the Knicks.

He joins Tyronn Lue, Tracy McGrady, Drew Gooden, and Juwan Howard in the starting lineup.

The Orlando Magic never have been so young. And neither have they looked so unsteady with so much at stake.

Not in 15 years.

Maybe this retooling wasn't such a good idea. Maybe old was better than bold. Maybe they should introduce themselves to each other once again.

"Following Wednesday's game, the Magic also waived guard Jeryl Sasser. Sasser, the 22nd pick in the 2001 draft played in just three of the first seven preseason games. He is still owed $1.03 million from the Magic."

"The Orlando Magic have until Wednesday to decide whether to extend the contract of third-year center Steven Hunter, but general manager John Gabriel intimated the team is likely to decline that option."

Britton Johnsen was considered by many a long shot to make the Orlando Magic, now, he has a good shot of starting on opening night at New York.

To clear a spot on the roster for him, it is likely that Jeryl Sasser will be waived.

In other news, Pat Garrity will start the season on the injured list.

The Orlando Magic gave the Atlanta Hawks permission to speak with coach Doc Rivers this offseason.

"Rivers, though, says there was a phone call from the Hawks "that I never got involved in." He said he never considered leaving -- or listening to people who recommended he bail on this jinxed franchise. "I'm going to see this out [in Orlando]," he said. ". . . no matter how hard this has to be to get this right."

The Houston Rockets were also interested but Rivers wasn't.

"The Magic released F Alton Ford on Sunday. Ford played in five games and scored 13 points."

Orlando Magic head coach Doc Rivers wants to cutdown to what will be his roster for the upcoming season.

"Anybody not in our top 10 is in trouble," Rivers said. "It's a very competitive camp that way. We're going to make some decisions pretty quick I hope. I want to get my team down pretty quick. I just think we have so many new guys that they need to be in the gym by themselves, not with 18 or 17 guys."

As of right now, the Magic's roster stands at 17 with Jeryl Sasser and Britton Johnsen or Alton Ford expected to be the final cuts.

"Magic F Pat Garrity, still recovering from complications from off-season knee surgery, likely will not be available until the start of the regular season."