I am not one who buys the whole "NBA Champions and shaq are now in the East, so therefore East is now the better conference" argument. After Detroit, Indy, and Miami, no other team can currently compete with the West's best. But do we see that starting to change? If you think of the teams around the league that are stocked with young talent, the teams that you think will be dominant in 4 years, most of them, IMO seems to be in the East. By that time, many of the Western powerhouses' key players will be past their prime. Boston has loads of young talent in Jefferson, West, Allen, Davis, Welsh Banks, Perkins. Chicago has Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Chandler/Curry (we're still waiting on them), and they just signed Nocioni. Washington has Arenas, Brown (still waiting), Dixon, Hayes, Hughes, Jefferies, and Jamison is still young. Orlando is building around Howard, Nelson, and young vets Hedo, Francis and Mobley. Cleveland has Jackson, Gooden, Wagner, and some guy named LeBron. Ford and Redd will only improve in Milwaukee. Dwayne Wade will be a dominating player, Indy has boatloads of young talent, and Detroit isn't that old either, and they still have Darko. If you look out West, only a handful of teams seems like they will actually be better in 4 years. Houston, Denver, Utah, Memphis. KG is still young, but we all know that he can't carry the team on his own, and SamIAm and Spree aren't getting any younger. The Kings look like they could be on the verge of collapse. San Antonio improved for next season, but Barry is not that young, and TD will be in his mid-30s by then. Finley and Nowitzki will be aging by then, though they do have some nice youngsters in howard and Daniels. There are some other teams that might improve, but none that I see with the potential of being a championship contender. I think that the true shift in the balance of power is already starting.
The East gaining on the west? Not this year mabye in 2 or 3, but not this year. Big deal they got shaquille Oneal. He is talented true, but the west still has Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Chris Webber. The west still has Yao Ming 76" who is 21 compared to the 32 year old shaquille oneal. Also the west gainned tmac a 2 time scoring champion. The East has about three talented team who can really be considered "a talented TEAM" notice the word I am stressing team which means not one player. Those teams are the Pacers, Pistons, and either the knicks or sixers. The Heat are not a talented team they are a team with two talented players and one good vetern as well as one decent shooter that is 4 players out of a team of 12 guys who could be on the active roster along with 3 injury reserve players. The Magic are becoming a talented team as well as the bulls, but they are still a few years away from being a contender since they are young with players like gordan, nelson, howard, deng, curry, chandler, etc. The west has already proven all stars in players like KG, TD, TMAC, and others. They have got so many talented teams look at last year there 8th seed had a better record the the easts 6th seed. The east will eventually regain power, but as I look at it now if you were to rank the league teams. it would be the pistons then several western teams before even the pacers in the east.
Well the gap has been closing in the past few years. I think that the west got a lot stronger as well this offseason, with the addition of boozer, kmart,and New Orleans. I do see the gap closing in the near future maybe 4 or 5 years down the road. But as of now I think east is still far behind the west. The east does seem to have more potential rising stars than the west does, it depends on which of them pan out, as too how long the west can keep there overall dominance over the east. But in the end it's all about the rings.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting celtfan:</div><div class="quote_post">I think that the true shift in the balance of power is already starting.</div>You are correct. It'll take time but it will eventually even out.
The West in my opinion has more up and coming teams then the East. Denver, Phoenix, Memphis, Utah, and many other young teams. The West has 11 teams that could make the playoffs the east has 8 teams that have to make the plyoffs. Four teams in the East might make the playoffs in the West. Might. Its more like 2-3. There is still to much of a talent differential. Yes the East got the most dominant force in the game. You must remember though that in 3-4 years Shaq will not be the same player. The West gained T-Mac, Boozer, K-Mart, the list goes on and on, and all of these guys have at least 10 years or more in the league. So if anything the West has gained an edge on the East.
celtfan, what you said is completely true, but the West also does have it's own talent. The only change I foresee between the conferences is that the East will be a big-man heavy team in the future, and will gain up on the West eventually. The East will have big men Curry, Chandler, Brown, Gooden, Howard, Milicic, Bosh and Okafor. All of these players have big time potential and will take over once Garnett and Duncan pass their primes. As of now, the West has the edge, but in the future, it will be very hard to predict the stronger of the two conferences.
Its better if they are balanced. I see that happening. I dont know if the East will topple the West though....
I think the East still has a ways to go..like as said before, the east has three good pure teams, IMO...Detroit, Indiana and NY...The Heat has a dominant player with solid contributors in Wade, EJ, Wright...The West has 5 pure teams...SA, Minnesota, Sacramento, Houston and I would even put Dallas, and you could make a strong case for Utah...the East has made strong moves but still lack a little in terms of competition when it comes to the West...
In no way shape or form is the East gaining on the West. West All-Stars Kobe T-Mac Yao Tim Duncan KG Amare Stoudemire Carlos Boozer Chris Webber Peja Ray Allen Dirk Nash Mike Bibby Elton Brand Kenyon Martin Carmelo Baron Davis Tony Parker Andrei Kirlilenko Bonzi Wells East: Jermain O'Neal Shaq Ben Wallace D-Wade Paul Pierce Steve Francis Cuttino Mobley LeBron James Vince Carter Iverson Notable: Kidd wants out so we don't know about him. I know I probably left some out ehre and there, but to me... The West is Still the Best! And the East is still too weak. I don't care if the Pistons are the champs. That has nothing to do with anything. I promise you this... They will not win two in a row!
It'll gradually swing the other way, but this year, no. The West got stronger if anything when you really break it down. Most of the players that went over to the East this year weren't really cutting it in the West to begin with (i.e. Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamison, etc.). Granted, a team from the East did win the championship and they are arguably the best team in the league still, but there are many more good teams in the West than in the East.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RJ 21:</div><div class="quote_post">In no way shape or form is the East gaining on the West. West All-Stars Kobe T-Mac Yao Tim Duncan KG Amare Stoudemire Carlos Boozer Chris Webber Peja Ray Allen Dirk Nash Mike Bibby Elton Brand Kenyon Martin Carmelo Baron Davis Tony Parker Andrei Kirlilenko Bonzi Wells East: Jermain O'Neal Shaq Ben Wallace D-Wade Paul Pierce Steve Francis Cuttino Mobley LeBron James Vince Carter Iverson Notable: Kidd wants out so we don't know about him. I know I probably left some out ehre and there, but to me... The West is Still the Best! And the East is still too weak. I don't care if the Pistons are the champs. That has nothing to do with anything. I promise you this... They will not win two in a row!</div> If your gonna add Dwayne Wade in as an East allstar than you should also add Hamilton or Billups too. And if your saying Wade as in he's gonna develop into a great player than you should also mention Tayshaun because he's also gonna be a great player. But I still think the East won't catch up to the West.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tripl3:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the East still has a ways to go..like as said before, the east has three good pure teams, IMO...Detroit, Indiana and NY...</div> I'm sorry, but NY is not going to pan out as a good TEAM. They have too many players who hog the ball, and Wilkens is not the type of coach how can instill repect and dicipline from his players. This NY team, while talented, will implode by All Star break. What Isiah needs more than any player is a coach along the lines of Jerry Sloan or Hubie Brown. Or even Phil Jackson??? I never suggesed that the East is or will be better this year, but in 4-5 years. I am looking at the rosters of the East teams, and they are filled with boatloads of young talent. There are a few teams in the West like that as well, but I see more in the East. I don't see things balancing out, I see the power shifting, and the East eventually becoming a better conference. True, Denver, Utah, Memphis, etc have boatloads of young talent too. But here's the ironic thing. They're already too good. The young teams in the East, the ones who I think will be good in 4 years, aren't that good yet, and it will take them 4 years to get good. That means that until they get good, the Eastern teams will also be getting the top draft picks. The teams with the highest lottery picks next year will be LA Clippers, Golden State, and a ton of Eastern teams.
Nope , last yr was just an off year for the west.They will still win most of the titles for years to come...the east has some young teams but so does the west , Minny and Sac are the only teams who may have their last serious chance at a title this upcoming season.The rest will be contention for years to come: SAarker (22) , Udrih (22) , D-Brown (26) Ginobili (27) , Rasho (28) , Duncan (28) , Barry (31)...Barry is the only one up there in age and I aint worried about Duncan , assuming he doesnt suffer a serious injury he should have a good 10 yrs left in him since he doesnt rely on athleticism to be effective. Denver:Melo , K-Mart , Nene , Miller...they got a nice young nucleus. LA:Kobe , Odom , Butler , Sasha...young team , all they need to do to comeback to being one of the elite teams is to get a solid big-men , but of course that easier said then done. Utah:AK47 , Arroyo , Boozer , Okur , Snyder , Humphries...I love this team , they'll be among the elite teams in a few yrs and will definitely make the playoffs this upcoming yr. Suns:Amare , Q-rich , Johnson , Barbosa , Lampe , Marion...scary team in the future. Theres also teams like the Clippers (as long as their owner spends $$$) and Grizzlies who could sneak up.The NBA will be ruled by the west this decade , the east needs to get some young talented big-men over there before the power shifts...right now all they got is JO and a pretty old Shaq , Sheed is a few steps under since he doesnt even play like a big-man (too many 3's).
The West was always better than the East except in the Celtic years in the 1960s. THey were the best dynasty ever. And yes Im talking about the Jordan era too. The East has the best top teams, but in the East there are only 3 (Indiana, Detroit, and Miami) serious contenders. The West has much better overall teams though. There will still be a East team under .500 that makes the play offs this year, Most likely Boston again. IT is getting closer, but I feel that the East will get better, so will the West. Heres an all-star thing I'll do because someone did one earleir. East All Star C-Shaquille O Neal PF- Jeramine O Neal SF- Vince Carter SG- LeBron James PG- Allen Iverson Bench Ben Wallace Rasheed Wallace Ron Artest Paul Peirce Jason Kidd Stephon Marbury Dwyane Wade West All Stars C- Yao Ming PF- Tim Duncan SF- Kevin Garnett SG- Tracy McGrady PG- Kobe Bryant Bench Brad Miller Chris Webber Dirk Nowitzki Carmelo Anthony Baron Davis Mike Bibby Amare Stoudemire This is if the League started today and it is IMo who should be it.(Except LeBron he will start it because hes so popular.)
The bottom line is that in the WEST, there is only one team thats is sure to be terrible - the LA clippers. In the East, there is about five team more or less that will finish with a dismal season. Competition is a lot tighter in the West, thus the west is stronger.
You forgot the New Orleans Hornets are gonna be in the western conference this season. I also think the Clippers might be the Memphis Grizzles of this season. Bad ownership or not they've got raw talent down there now with Livingston,Brand,Camen,Kittles. Mike Dunleavy is a great battle tested coach. I'll go out on a limb and say they might keyword MIGHT outdo the Lakers this season. West have three superstar bigs Yao Duncan Garnett. The East has two at the moment the two O'Neals. Okafor will come along nicely,but he's gonna be just like Ben Wallace. He'll anchor the defense. I don't see him being much of an offensive threat because he's a short 5 and an unskilled 4. Spurs and Wolves will own in the West no doubt. The Mavericks will be up there if they can get Kidd. The Kings will fall off the face of the earth. The Nuggets,Clippers,Jazz,Lakers (Maybe I still have to see), Grizzles will be following at their heels. The East will win this year again I think. The Pacers and Pistons will lead the way with the Heat,Celtics(Doc Rivers will turn this team around and I think Pierce has enough role players and young talent to make a strong playoff push despite what every analyst and Gary Payton has said or implied.) Sixers will improve,Cavaliers will definetely make the playoffs this year. Pistons still have a better team and I emphasize team than anyone in the West. Spurs only team that comes close.
the easy def have a few teams that will be REAL good in the future..... bulls:curry,gordon,deng,hinrich sixers:green,iggy,sammy d magic:howard,jameer celts:west,jefferson,allen cavs:james,jackson these 5 teams all have 2 or 3 guys that r young and can devlopt into all star plaerys/all star caliber plaeryrs. the team i see in the decline is the raptors and nets the teams that i think will remain the same is the wizards. i just dont think larry hughes with arenas on the same team will ever succede.with bust kwame brown and weak front court haywood and thomas.
Yes, the East is getting some power but it will be a looong time before they can get on top. Untill then, Detroit will own the East for a while.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting celtfan:</div><div class="quote_post">I am not one who buys the whole "NBA Champions and shaq are now in the East, so therefore East is now the better conference" argument. After Detroit, Indy, and Miami, no other team can currently compete with the West's best. But do we see that starting to change? If you think of the teams around the league that are stocked with young talent, the teams that you think will be dominant in 4 years, most of them, IMO seems to be in the East. By that time, many of the Western powerhouses' key players will be past their prime. Boston has loads of young talent in Jefferson, West, Allen, Davis, Welsh Banks, Perkins. Chicago has Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Chandler/Curry (we're still waiting on them), and they just signed Nocioni. Washington has Arenas, Brown (still waiting), Dixon, Hayes, Hughes, Jefferies, and Jamison is still young. Orlando is building around Howard, Nelson, and young vets Hedo, Francis and Mobley. Cleveland has Jackson, Gooden, Wagner, and some guy named LeBron. Ford and Redd will only improve in Milwaukee. Dwayne Wade will be a dominating player, Indy has boatloads of young talent, and Detroit isn't that old either, and they still have Darko. If you look out West, only a handful of teams seems like they will actually be better in 4 years. Houston, Denver, Utah, Memphis. KG is still young, but we all know that he can't carry the team on his own, and SamIAm and Spree aren't getting any younger. The Kings look like they could be on the verge of collapse. San Antonio improved for next season, but Barry is not that young, and TD will be in his mid-30s by then. Finley and Nowitzki will be aging by then, though they do have some nice youngsters in howard and Daniels. There are some other teams that might improve, but none that I see with the potential of being a championship contender. I think that the true shift in the balance of power is already starting.</div> ya this is true and if no big trades happen will prob start seeing big changes in 5 years or so the problem is these east teams r doing is trading this young talent away for old superstars coming out of there prime for example The Miami Heat, they sent away 2 players that will be future super stars to bring in a current super star coming out of his prime, yes he is the most dominent player in the nba but face the facts, he cant put up 30points/16reb/6assists like he used to in 2000-2002 era, but puts up more like 20points/13reb/4assists i mean his numbers r still good but these eastern teams are not letting there players mature but trading them away to get a quick fix championships caliber team which it just doesnt work that way a team gets good and wins champ. by working together, getting better together, DEVELOPING together the same thing happened to the lakers last year, but they just signed them as free agents they didnt get screwed having to sign any of there true talent away like these eastern teams r doing thats why the west is so good, they have super stars and trade them away when they ask for a trade or just arnt performing as they shud i.e. gary payton
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Billa_Bong:</div><div class="quote_post">for example The Miami Heat, they sent away 2 players that will be future super stars to bring in a current super star coming out of his prime, yes he is the most dominent player in the nba but face the facts, he cant put up 30points/16reb/6assists like he used to in 2000-2002 era, but puts up more like 20points/13reb/4assists </div>I doubt Caron Butler will be anything special, and he can be replaced. Plus the Lakers took on Brian Grant's huge contract and injury problems which was bringing this team down. And as for LO, he was probably the only player we "lost", but it's really not a lost considering we gave birth to his breakout year, meaning we can breed more great players. A great center is hard to comeby and the numbers shaq put up last season are not really expected from centers. Even then, those numbers from last season will go up playing in the East, while the numbers Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and Lamar Odom put up last year are not guaranteed in the future because: 1. They play in the West now were competition is tougher. 2. They had bigger roles with the Heat than they will with the Lakers. So it really wasn't a big lost for the heat as you think and thus the balance of powers tipped (a bit) as weaker players were sent to the west and a great player was sent to the east; One of the greatest teams in the west was dismantled while one of the teams in the East greatly improved.
