I think it’s gonna be Jersey, Boston and Indiana dominating for the majority of the regular season, with Detroit, Philly and Orlando coming in for next honors.
As for the the eventual championship, once again I highly doubt anyone will pose a threat to the Western champions (whoever that’s gonna be). The West-side is still faster, bigger and better. Jersey and Boston are probably the only ones who look like they might give a good fight if they get there.
You see the Boston Celtics have three point shooters...if they get hot during the playoffs they can beat anyone..Shammond Williams and Tony Delk are great shooters..if these two guys play well then I think Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker will benefit from it
I think Indiana will be even better next year...Ron Artest, Jermaine O'neal and that Harrington kid are not even 25 yet
New Jersey Nets in the Playoffs, that's for sure, no question about it.
Boston Celtics always screwed in the end with poor shooting.
Indiana, could be in Playoffs. 50-50. Make your bet.
Eastern conference is filled with young, undiscovered talent.
If Indiana manages to stay at the top for the playoffs, i guess they'll make it to the eastern final atleast. But if they win the east. finals, i hope that some miracle happens because indiana will have a huge huge size disadvantege, regardless of any western conf. team they r gonna face. But watch out for the pistons aswell cuz they have improved their rebounds a hell lot from last year and WAtch OUT......... Ben Wallace is coming thru!
NJ on the other hand is probablly the one of the most balanced team in the whole NBA. They've got three point shooter, Rebounders and stealers like no other team in the NBA!
Eastern Conference..and full with talent.? Eastern conf is a joke.They are lucky that palyoffs are divided between east and west. otherwise none of the teams (except Magics) will qualify for the playoffs. Hell even our LA clippers and Golden state are better than their best team
Sure the West is bigger and faster, but Clippers and GS? That's stretching it a lot. A team like the Nets or Pacers could be at 4 or 5 (at worst) in the Western conference.
*2003 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
EASTERN CONFERENCE *
Forwards
Vince Carter (Tor) 1,023,750
Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 694,174
Grant Hill (Orl) 672,679
Antoine Walker (Bos) 396,369
Kenyon Martin (NJ) 316,832
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Atl) 201,180
Latrell Sprewell (NY) 198,852
Darius Miles (Cle) 190,153
Keith Van Horn (Phi) 176,576
Richard Jefferson (NJ) 171,093.
Guards
Tracy McGrady (Orl) 1,016,123
Allen Iverson (Phi) 902,754
Michael Jordan (Was) 795,481
Jason Kidd (NJ) 731,811
Paul Pierce (Bos) 245,167
Ray Allen (Mil) 193,833
Jerry Stackhouse (Was) 126,413
Reggie Miller (Ind) 125,812
Ricky Davis (Cle) 119,962
Baron Davis (NO) 118,840.
Centers:
Ben Wallace (Det) 854,714
Dikembe Mutombo (NJ) 468,245
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 238,418
Antonio Davis (Tor) 173,692
Brad Miller (Ind) 165,556
Brian Grant (Mia) 123,978
Theo Ratliff (Atl) 98,696
Todd MacCulloch (Phi) 97,205
Tony Battie (Bos) 93,837
Kurt Thomas (NY) 67,320.
The Grant Hill story just gets disappointing with every new update. Now placed on the IL, this is a guy who's career could've among the very best.
My votes were: Carter, Hill, McGrady, AI, Wallace, Ilgauskas.
Can't believe Carter led with most votes.
I know he is talented and stuff but right now he's no good to Toronto.
He's injured for more than half of the season and gets paid more than 3 times than people who play every game. I doubt that he's gonna play in the all-star game cuz he'll be injured again (pretty sure :))
Antonio Davis wud have been a beter choice to represent Raptors!