Alright

[cfoo]

Considering we should have a solid bench when this is all said and done. These are the top teams in the East. Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago. Toronto should be decent again. I think the Knicks might surprise some people. Miami is still there although the wheels are starting to come off. That 6 pretty good teams in my estimation. The east is stronger than people think and there might be a bit of a power shift going on. Obviously the west still has power houses and the best team in SA. Phoenix. Dallas. Golden State has seen a surge. Houston is there. And regardless of how bad the lakers might be they are always a threat with kobe. I can't think of anyone else, but there are a lot of good teams and it's not giong to be an easy road. I personally believe we are on par with the upper echelon teams in Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, SA, Phoenix with the rest being a step below. I think we are better than Cleveland. Detroit has experience and they can always put up a fight, but they just arent the same since Larry Brown left. I'm sure they are going to be pretty focused and determined on making one more run. I think we are the beasts of the east now and the team to beat, with SA being the reigning Champs and the best team. I think we can beat them though and put up a better fight than Cleveland did. Reason being SA could just sit back and focus on Lebron and let their defense just eat him up. They won't be able to do that with us.

So yeah we can start talking about championship possibilities now. It's a little different.

[celticfan]

I think Detroit is starting their slow fade and we can beat them in the 2nd round of the playoffs (if we match up with them)
Cleveland caught lightning in a bottle and I don't see it happening again. Unless Lebron goes all out all year long and is a freak of nature come playoff time, rather than picking his spots.
Chicago will be tough and if Shaq is motivated Miami will be tough too.
We just need to bolster up the bench a bit IMO.

[DERRENMATTS]

I'm not quite confident that we are the beasts of the east yet. Not until we add better pieces to our bench, or add a Center who can outplay Big Perk.

I think Year 1 of the new Big Three will be our coming out party. We'll make it deep into the playoffs, but maybe not out of the ECF. Year 2, with better pieces added to the puzzle, and with better chemistry, I think we can be true title contenders.

Cleveland won't win without getting better talent. Miami is done (still a playoff team, but too many holes). Detroit will still be good, but they aren't as dominating as they were in their title year. They are beatable now.

In the west, I think Dallas is too deep for us. They could be the team to beat this year. I think we match up well with San Antonio because they are also halfcourt oriented. They aren't as deep as Dallas. Phoenix is a match up problem because they have so many versatile players, and how quickly they attack on offense. Our Big Three aren't built to run like the Suns. When we play Phoenix, we have to make sure they don't dictate our game.

[freshnthehouse]

If we do make it to the finals this year (here's hoping), we are going to have a couple of defensive matchups in our favor.

Though I cringe at the idea of this team trying to run with PHX in a seven game series, can you think of a better PG than RR when it comes to harrassing nash the entire length of the court?

Also, if we match up with either Dallas or SA, nobody guards Duncan and Dirk better than KG.

This is comepletely off topic, but I still cant believe Kevin Garnett is a Celtic. Its almost too good to be true.

[eja117]

The Pistons and Heat are done. Toronto will be pesky. Cleveland will be a little better but maybe not cause varejo could leave. The Bulls will be excellent. The Wiz will be good if not hurt. I think people are underrating Charlotte and someday the Hawks will be good. Also obviously the Magic will be better. The Knicks will either come out of nowhere to show a bunch of talented bad boys can win without old men like Larry brown nagging them or they will crash and burn in the most horrific tragic and slightly funny stories in NBA history. I don't think they get thru the season with all those guys in New York City without at least one arrest.