My playoff predictions - East

[DJessen33@aol.com]

1) Heat - With B. Grant and Eddie Jones additions, they are the rock Beast of 
the East.
2) Pacers - The continued improvement of the youth will make up for the 
declination of the aged.
3) Knicks - No super talent but a lot of solid, playoff-savvy veterans.
4) Philly - Tough defensive club but Kukoc (lack of defense) and Iverson 
(lack of discipline) could put you over the top or kill ya.
5) Milwaukee - Youngsters ready to take the next step up. Veteran at the 
point with Cassell and Prsybilla will help them in the paint.
6) Magic - Have some nice players but too much finesse for my book. Did Grant 
Hill leave a 6th place team to go to a 6th place team?
7) Raptors - Too much dissention. Frontcourt getting old. Some of the 
high-flying act is gone with McGrady leaving but Vince will get them in the 
playoffs
8) Hornets - Don't really know about this team. Have some talented parts but 
don't know if they will mesh together. No prime time player. Wouldn't be hard 
for them to end up deep in the lottery.
9) Nets - Their need was bulk and/or height and I don't think Kenyon answers 
that need. They still have awesome players on paper in Marbury, Van Horn and 
Martin but the papers have never won ballgames.
10) Celts - Have the talent to finish as high as 5 with a gimmick. However, 
this team hasn't shown the mental toughness to win on finesse and doesn't 
have the horses to win on power. Running the press is their gimmick that 
could cover their weaknesses.
11) Bulls - Have a few nice young players and they will actually try to start 
winning. However, the NBA feeds on their young.
12) Pistons - Pistons, AG (After Grant) will attempt to be the Magic of this 
year. However, the Magic didn't lose a major player prior. They are walking 
dead men.
13) Bullets - Still another year of burning off contracts. 
14) Cavs - They lose their draft pick if they make the playoffs. Therefore, 
they will be trying to lose and if they give up Kemp for free, they won't 
even have to try...

DJessen33