Armstrong goes to bench

Magic Coach Doc Rivers made the starting lineup switch Monday that he had been hinting at since training camp began, replacing veteran point guard Darrell Armstrong with Mike Miller to give him the big backcourt he has been wanting.

It was the first time since April 25, 1999, that Armstrong wasn't in the Magic's starting lineup, snapping a string of 175 consecutive starts. Inserting Miller, who is 6 feet 8, gives the Magic an entire starting lineup that's at least 6-8.

"Since Bo [Outlaw] was traded, we've really needed somebody coming off the bench with energy, and Darrell can give us that," Rivers said.

"There are a lot of good reasons to do it, but I had been cautious with Mike."

Miller -- the NBA rookie of the year last season -- started the month on the injured list because of a chip fracture in his right foot, but his play has improved since rejoining the team.

He had a career-high 32 points in Saturday's 103-101 loss at home to Charlotte.

How about some 'D'?

Although Miller moved into the starting lineup, that doesn't mean Rivers has been overjoyed with his play.

He is not, particularly on the defensive end.

"I think he has taken a step backward defensively," Rivers said.

"He hasn't improved like we had hoped. After a season, you expect him to be a better defender."

Looking at big Ben

Horace Grant, 36, took a look across the court and just marveled at Pistons center/forward Ben Wallace.

Wallace, who spent one season in Orlando (1999-2000), is leading the league in blocked shots (3.58 per game), despite being only 6-9. He also is eighth in the NBA in rebounding (11 per game).

"He's a beast on the boards," Grant said.

"He kind of reminds me of myself in my younger days -- except for his hairdo."

Willing to wait

Andrew DeClercq, who ended last season and started this one as the Magic's starting center, has remained upbeat about his lack of playing time now.

Steven Hunter replaced him as the starting center, and Patrick Ewing and Grant have been serving as the backups.

"You're disappointed when you don't play, but it's a long season. I still want to be here. This team is going places, and I want to be part of it," he said.

"If that means helping Steven Hunter develop or pushing Patrick Ewing in practice, I'll do that. I've got a couple years on my contract. My time will come again."

Back in the mix

Detroit guard Chucky Atkins, an Orlando native and former Magic player, is back in good graces with the Pistons coaching staff and management, even if he isn't back in the starting lineup, where he was last season.

Atkins last week was dropped completely out of the playing rotation, falling behind Damon Jones as the backup to starter Dana Barros. After the move, he said he would ask to be traded, which led to him not even playing for three games.

"Everything is fine now. It's something you just learn to deal with," he said.

"I did think it was a little unfair, though, when we lost two of three and everyone said I was being a distraction. I wasn't even playing."