I think NY will get it together, someway, somehow. Either D’Antoni will get axed or those guys figure something out to at least get in the playoffs. Boston is the biggest wildcard: lot of talent, even more mileage. I’m patiently waiting for a major injury, or better yet, implosion from Rajon Rondo after Danny Ainge’s conspicuously inconspicuous attempts to trade him the past two offseasons. I think Cleveland can’t keep up this pace it’s at: too much reliance on youth. I’m waiting for those rookies and young players to hit some walls.

One more factor: Orlando is looking good on paper now, but that team really is Howard and little else. Don’t count out a midseason trade, because Howard IS NOT looking back if Orlando is foolish enough to keep him the entire season. If he’s traded, the Magic could fall flat on its face trying to incorporate new pieces midseason. Everybody can’t be last year’s Nuggets.

So when you factor in all that, it may be the strongest East in some time, but if this Bucks team can stay healthy and find some continuity, it just might sneak into the playoffs. Pains me to say this, but that’s good enough for me. Jeremy wrote the other night that the Bucks wish they could be the Hawks at this point: never good enough to win it, but at least winning more than losing every year. I’ll take that right now.