Oct 15, 2001 6:55 AM EST

Magic coach Doc Rivers already knows that the East is wide open this year, with a number of teams improving.

"No automatics," he said. "If you don't bring your 'A' game, every team in the East can beat you, especially those guys," he said, pointing across the floor at the place the Hawks would soon occupy. "I really like what they did with the Hawks," Rivers said. "Getting Shareef. He was the biggest secret in the league, but he won't be now."

The Hawks beat the Magic 101-81, handing Orlando their first loss of the preseason. The Hawks did it once again without injured All-Star Theo Ratliff.

Rivers said Milwaukee and Philadelphia should be the divisional favorites in the East "because of what they did last year. After them, I'd say it's us and Toronto and then New York."

Via