Championship Contenders In The Next Five Years

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The folowing teams should be viewed as legitimate championship
contenders
in the next five years:

Lakers - On regular season cruise control.  Just need a prolonged period
of
health from Shaq.

Sacramento - This may be the year of the Sacramento All-Stars.

Houston - Ming and Francis make the Rockets the team you don't want to
play in the
playoffs.

Dallas - Getting closer.  A deal for a dominant defensive/rebounding
center  might do it.

Detroit - Lots of cap space to sign an impact free agent and the
Grizzlies top five pick may provide them with the talent to become the
Eastern Conference favorite in the upcoming years.

San Antonio - Whether they sign Kidd or Olowokandi, look for a
susbstantial
Spurs upgrade in the off-season.

Indiana - Now, here's a team that knows how to develop young talent.

                    _________________________


As for the Celtics, nothing of a championship nature, until they upgrade

the Center and Point Guard positions.  I'd go after Ilgauskas.
Other than a Walkeresque shooting percentage, he accomplishes a lot in
his
32 minutes of playing time.  As for point guard, Travis Ford out of
Texas
is a terrific pure point and Jameer Nelson may surprise some people.
Ray