The Orlando Magic could not comment on their preseason schedule, which will not be officially released by the league until next week. According to other NBA sources, however, Orlando will be up against Magic alumnus Darrell Armstrong more than it thought this season. How about a half-dozen times?

The Magic will not only face Armstrong and his New Orleans Hornets to open the regular season at home on Oct. 30 -- the first of four meetings with New Orleans -- but they will also play the Hornets twice during the preseason (home and away.)

In an unusual and likely controversial twist, Tyronn Lue -- the free-agent point guard who effectively made Armstrong expendable -- will wear Armstrong's No. 10.

Lue has worn No. 10 for all five of his NBA seasons.

There has always been speculation that Armstrong's jersey number would be retired one day. Gabriel says that is still a possibility -- even if another player wears it, apparently. But the club won't consider retiring the number to honor Armstrong while he is still playing in the league.

Lue had said after he signed that he would take another number in deference to Armstrong, who became a fan favorite during his nine seasons in Orlando. But after the Magic made it available to Lue last week, he called Armstrong to see how he felt about it. He received Armstrong's blessing.