Eastern conference preview

[Rush]

The Eastern conference is on the rise. The Bulls and Heat look like elite teams for the foreseeable future. The Magic will join them if they can keep Dwight Howard, and the Knicks now have a couple superstars that...

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By: Doug Thonus

[Scoot26]

I, for one, am under the impression that Boston is not done and just have been sandbagging it lately. However, I know that they will dearly miss Kendrick Perkins in the playoffs. That being said, I just think they can beat Miami (barely) in the end to advance to the ECF.

[Uman85]

I'm interested in the New York-Boston match-up. It'll be intriguing to see if Amar'e and Melo can knock off Boston. I don't see it happening, but they may push them to the limit.

[Anytime23]

First off, why is he breaking down 2nd round matchups? Let the Playoffs start eh?

Also I don't really see the East being the new West. Sure a lot of stars have switched conferences but the East now just really top heavy. Let's not mention the Nets, we have no clue what their future holds. Oh that's right, it's the soon to be Brooklyn Nets, everyone wants in on that dynasty in the making..... You could also say the wolves are a elite talent away from being a good team.

[Scoot26]

Originally Posted by Anytime23

First off, why is he breaking down 2nd round matchups? Let the Playoffs start eh?

Also I don't really see the East being the new West. Sure a lot of stars have switched conferences but the East now just really top heavy. Let's not mention the Nets, we have no clue what their future holds. Oh that's right, it's the soon to be Brooklyn Nets, everyone wants in on that dynasty in the making..... You could also say the wolves are a elite talent away from being a good team.

Stern will make sure a team like the T'Wolves never go far though.

[Uman85]

Originally Posted by Scoot26

Stern will make sure a team like the T'Wolves never go far though.

You're spot on. A small to mid-market team will never succeed in Stern's NBA. It's pretty sad.

[Anytime23]

I'm honestly surprised he let the Heat get the big3. I thought he would have wanted them in NY or CHI. A bunch of guys taking less to play together just kind of lessens the competition around the league.

[Uman85]

The way Stern runs things, you might as well get rid of every team except the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Bulls, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Heat, Nets and Magic. No other teams will be able to contend if these "super teams" keep forming.

[Scoot26]

Originally Posted by Anytime23

I'm honestly surprised he let the Heat get the big3. I thought he would have wanted them in NY or CHI. A bunch of guys taking less to play together just kind of lessens the competition around the league.

Miami still has a big enough draw for Stern to be okay with it. I'm sure he would have preferred they go to NY or Chicago though. But a team like Minnesota, Memphis, Indiana will never go far unless we have a weakened NBA season like 2007 where LeBron led Cleveland to the Finals. I mean I always figured there were reasons why the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks never got favorable calls in those conference finals in 2001 and 2002. Even Minnesota in 2004 against the Lakers, alot seemed to go against Minnesota.

[Uman85]

Originally Posted by Scoot26

Miami still has a big enough draw for Stern to be okay with it. I'm sure he would have preferred they go to NY or Chicago though. But a team like Minnesota, Memphis, Indiana will never go far unless we have a weakened NBA season like 2007 where LeBron led Cleveland to the Finals. I mean I always figured there were reasons why the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks never got favorable calls in those conference finals in 2001 and 2002. Even Minnesota in 2004 against the Lakers, alot seemed to go against Minnesota.

It's all about the money for Stern. Screw the fans, as long as Stern's pockets are full.