as for the magic, i agree tom, but talent isn’t everything. the reason imo that team did so well in the post season, is they all seemed to compliment each other so well. when they started playing jameer instead of alston, the team didn’t seem to flow as well, granted jameer was injured.

i’m just not ready to write in pen that the magic are going win the east just yet. they are a brand new team basically, so chemistry is what they’ll have to work at first. second will have to be dwight’s post moves and ft shooting, or they shouldn’t expect to have as much success this season.

As to the Cavs, they are a *much* better team! They got some length in their backcourt and at the wing, wch they needed. And they got some you know what in the middle!

the magic make me wonder because they basically have a different team to start, than they did when they were doing so well. alston is gone, lee is gone, rashad is gone (for 10 games), turk is gone… they are basically starting out with a new team, so they are a big question mark as well to me. and until dwight doesn’t start to develop a post game, the magic aren’t going to have a guy they can rely on to carry the team, unless mr. carter has another amazing year.

but still i do feel the cavs and the magic are the teams to beat, while the celtics, wizards, and hawks all have something to prove. this should be an interesting playoff race to say the least. here’s to a healthy and strong run for the wizards.

You’re probably right that the Hawks are about the same, though they’re thin up front right now and trying to sign someone (joe smith).

The rest of the East is all question marks. Detroit blew its FA opportunities, Miami’s roster is weak w/ one notable exception, Toronto lost key guys but gained Turkoglu (he’s not that much of a difference maker). The Sixers are only as good as Elton Brand. The Nets are young and not very deep.

and as the years have gone on, ray allen has gotten more inconsistent by the year. who knows when his shot will be falling this season, and in the playoffs, you can write him off for at least two series as far as being productive.

garnett can’t seem to stay healthy, who knows how sheed will fit in, and the bench isn’t looking that great from where i’m sitting. they’re a wild card team just as much as the wizards imo.

imo there is no guaranteed winner in the east. no one knows what shaq will do for the cavs, how the magic will blend this year, if boston can keep healthy and play a few years younger than they are, if the wizards will stay healthy and be good again… shoot the only team that seems to be guaranteed to do just as well as last season is the hawks.

but in the end i think the cavs are the winners in the east. from there imo the magic, celtics, wizards, and hawks will make up the next 4 spots in any order. and from there it’s another race to the finish with the bobcats, heat, pistons, nets, and sixers battling it out.

You are no doubt right that Garnett is key to any Boston championship run.