Who makes the playoffs in the east?

[RickDHome@xxxxxxx]

I see it like this:

1.   New Jersey - They're still tops in the east until somebody knocks them 
down.  Whatever Mourning gives them is gravy.  Still, I could see Detroit 
knocking them off.

1a. Detroit  -  Added a great coach.  A solid deep club.

Actually 3 - 8 is a crap shoot.  I see a lot of parity (read mediocrity). 

3    Indiana  -  They've got good talent, and they lost knucklehead Isaiah 
and added Carlisle (sp?); not to mention having ultimate winner LB on board.  
That's gotta be good for a few wins.

4    Chicago -  Okay, throw stones at me, but I like the team they've 
assembled.  Their youngsters are coming into their own, and they've surrounded them 
with solid veterans who can still play some.  They've got a lot of talent.  By 
the end of the season this may be the third best team in the East.  Let the 
flogging begin.

5   Boston - Cs will struggle out of the gate, incorporating all their new 
guys, but ridding themselves of Walker has removed the death grip from their 
necks.  Ainge will pull the trigger on another deal before the deadline.  Should 
be an exciting year with an entertaining playing style.  We're on the upswing. 
 We still need a veteran PG and a backup 2 who can play.

6    Philadelphia - Ho hum.  Nothing to get too excited about, but they've 
got Iverson, and enough periferal talent to make the playoffs.  Robinson's 
probably an upgrade from Van Horne, and Marc Jackson adds some beef in the middle.

7    New Orleans  - Not sold on their coach at all; and it seems like their 
key guys are *always* injured.  If not, they'll make the playoffs.  I don't 
like their team much.  I think they're on the way down.

8    Orlando - In many respects, I thought this team mirrored our own for the 
last couple of years (lacking inside presence/PG/ having basically one star 
and a bunch of scrubs).  Adding Juwan Howard does nothing to address their 
needs.  He's soft; and Reece Gaines is not, and never will be a point guard.