02 Playoff locks

[MetNut9@AOL.com]

With all the talk of playoff locks for next year, I thought I would chime in with my thoughts on this:

The 8 spots in the east go to(in no particular order):

Philadelphia: Mutombo, Iverson. Good inside outside punch & roll players.

Toronto: Vince, Jerome, Alvin, Davis. Barring injuries, to good a nucleus that is to good not to get in.

New York: Same deal, Camby, Houston, Spreewell, Spoon, nice nucleus, at least a 7 spot.

Miami: Still has Mourning, Grant, Jones, will make playoffs, and bow out early again.

Orlando: Add in Ewing, a healthy Hill, and all of a sudden they are a force. Remember Miller is a year older. This team with Haywood, Amaechi and Ewing in the Center could be a force. They are my early bet to make the finals next year.

Milwaukee: A powerhouse still. Pryzbillia will be improved this year, watch out. 

That is 6 defident spots. That leave the Celtics, Atlanta, the Pacers and Detroit. Oh wait, and what about Washington if Jordan comes back? At this point I think Atlanta will duke it out for the final spot, but come up short. Same with Detroit. Both teams are still to young. 

Pacers: They make it in with the 7th spot. Young players are a year older. O'Neil, Harrington, Croushere will be better to go along with Miller and Best. 

Celtics: I say the Celtics take the 8th spot. The key to this team is the maturity of the 3 picks. They will either make or break the Celtics this year. Also, if Anderson plays anywhere near what he is capable of, that will move them ahead of the Pacers. Another variable is Jordan, if he comes back, a line up of : White, K. Brown, Alexander, Hamilton, Jordan is pretty solid. Add in the possibility of Ojajuwon and the Wizards could be a team to be reckoned with. Alot can happen between now and the end of the summer. But as of right now I see the Celtics with the 8th spot slipping in, of course that is before the Jordan factor. Lets hope the three kids are the real deal, cause if they have Moiso growing pains the C's are out again.

Derek