They are suddenly the NBA's chic pick, morphing from a cast of overachieving scrappers two seasons ago to a roster now loaded with superstar talent and name recognition.

At times, it all seems almost too good to be true for the Orlando Magic. They are the favorites of many to win the Eastern Conference championship and then butt heads with arch-nemesis Shaquille O'Neal in the NBA Finals, but still red flags and question marks are aplenty as the season tips off tonight.

Their two best players - Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill - have never advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. Their two veteran post players - Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant - are well beyond their primes and are struggling to remain in one healthy piece. And even their reigning Rookie of the Year - forward Mike Miller - will start the season on crutches.

So what's to make of this Magic team heading into tonight's home opener against the Toronto Raptors? Paper champs or potential champs?

"We haven't won a thing and really it doesn't matter what they pick us," Magic coach Doc Rivers said of national publications such as USA Today and Sports Illustrated winning the Eastern Conference. They picked us last one year (1999-00) and it didn't matter. They picked us first last year and it didn't matter. It's nice, and expectations are high and that's nice, too. But we haven't accomplished a thing."