playoff predictions for EC?

[Francis Hsu <francis@ai.mit.edu>]

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to who will make the top 8 teams in the
Eastern Conference this season?

The following teams who were in the top 8 last season have, in my opinion,
are either improved or about the same for this season:
Heat
Pacers
Knicks
Sixers

Now add the Magic, who barely missed out last season and have considerably
improved their roster for this season, to that list.

I'm going to rule out the Bulls, Hawks, Wizards and Cavs (assuming that
the Kemp trade goes through).

That leaves the Hornets, Raptors, Bucks, Pistons, Celtics and Nets competing
for the last 3 spots.  The Raptors and Pistons seem to be on the decline.
I have no idea about the Hornets.  The Bucks are about the same and Nets
are improved.  I'd like to think that the Celtics are at least slightly
improved, but even so I think it's going to be tough for them to make it.

Francis