By Shawn O'Neal
SportsLine NBA Editor

After finishing dead even a year ago and missing the playoffs, the Orlando Magic closed the week with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Looking for a reason? Look no further than Darrell Armstrong, the Magic's backup point guard and a mortal lock for the NBA Sixth Man Award. He's averaging 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists and always seems to be around when good things happen.

Horace Grant has dubbed Armstrong "The Little Black Leprechaun."

"Whenever he touches something, it turns to gold," Grant said. "He's playing his heart out, and I think it just rubs off on the rest of the guys."

Maybe the Magic won't win the Eastern Conference title, but they figure to be in the fight.

Somebody who won't be around is Michael Jordan -- no matter how badly the creative folks at FOX Sports want it to happen in order to repair their soiled image.

Sizzlin' ... The Countdown

5. Take a hike Dave

It's getting harder and harder not to like Allen Iverson. He's the most prolific shooting guard in the league, is leading the resurgence of the 76ers and he also dropped super leech David Falk as his agent this week. No matter who's driving his cars, you gotta love this guy.

4. Central heating

Looking for a fun race? Take a look at the Central, where the four top teams are separated by four games, two others are within five and the Charlotte Hornets, declared clinically dead a month ago, are heating up.

3. Dinner's on coach

The Milwaukee Bucks, one of those hot Central teams, will be having dinner on their coach. George Karl promised to treat his team if it won 12 games in March. The Bucks' Wednesday victory over Charlotte made it an even dozen, so steak and lobster is on Karl.

2. Rockets' red glare

They're healthy. They're mature. And even with their Thursday loss to the Jazz, they're going to be a tough team to beat down the stretch.

1. Strong man

Just give the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award to Orlando's Darrell Armstrong. Do it now.

Fizzlin' ... The Countdown

5. Same as it ever was

The Celtics aren't on a prolonged losing streak any longer. But they're still lousy and Antoine Walker still went 5-for-15 in a Wednesday-night loss to Detroit.

4. More Lakers hijinx

Are the Lakers trying to become the late-80s Detroit Pistons? They've taken to constantly agitating their opponents and it's not just Dennis Rodman. Shaquille O'Neal bullied Chris Dudley of the Knicks last week, and the Yale graduate responded by firing the ball 45-feet downcourt and hitting O'Neal in the place he keeps his head. Dudley was ejected and O'Neal stayed in the game -- which the Lakers eventually won. When the fines from the incident came down, however, O'Neal was charged $3,500 while Dudley was tagged for $2,500.

3. Brain cramp

It's been a relatively tame season for Portland miscreant Isaiah Rider, though he was given his third suspension of the year for going into the stands in Oakland to intervene in an altercation involving his brother. The previous two suspensions were equally silly. The Blazers are playing well and don't need stuff like this ruining their season.

2. Brain cramp II

In a scuffle with the Knicks Tuesday night Indiana's Jalen Rose took a swing at Patrick Ewing, missed and hit referee Dick Bavetta, breaking his nose. Yup, that'll get you ejected.

1. Crazy like FOX

Jordan to play again, Phil Jackson to coach and Dean Smith as the Hornets' president? Sounds like a fantasy basketball draft in the FOX studios.