Sixerfanforlife

While the Detroit Pistons have won the ECT Larry brown may leave sometime soon, are they still in a legitmate stance to win a title?
Chicago made it's first playoff apperance in 7 years, could they possibly do a repeat with some riskes not involving money but health?
Cleveland has Lebron James, but can they keep him how long, and can they possibly get Redd and Allen to keep him?
Indiana has Stephen Jackson Jermaine O'neal and Possibly Ron Artest, 3 great players yes yet they missed a combine 176 games, that's more then a year and a half can they shake off there rust and play basketball like they know they can they think they can, but more importantly how they can?
New Jersey has one of the uprising starting lineups in the eastern conference? But can there coach allow them to have some consistancy, and How good is Nenad krstic truly?
10 topics about the eastern conference, but just one winner HORN!

Tersk

So your saying the Sixers are a title contender?

I rank the following teams above the Sixers at their chances for a title in the next few years

East
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
New Jersey Nets
Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls
----------------- (at least)

Then, there are always teams that even have a chance
Cleveland (assuming LeBron gets some help)
Milwaukee (assuming TJ gets healthy and Redd signs)
Orlando (building around D-Ho in the next few years)

I really don't think the Sixers are a title contender, they've basically lost the opportunity to get a top 3 seed with the Nets emergence. With that said, I think the Sixers can and will make the 6-8 seed in the playoffs for the next couple of years, but nothing to put them over the hump. They are way over the cap, especially with Webbers deal so they won't be signing any marquee Free Agents. They'll be in the playoffs so they won't get lotto picks, so their chances hinge upon Andre Iguodala's and Samuel Dalembert development (if Sammy doesn't bolt this offseason)

Chris Webber is also declining so he won't be much of a factor in a few years, so the Sixers time is now if they want to win.

On the other side, if Philadelphia can pull off one of your trades..then they are set.

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Kunlun

Detroit still has the players and experience to win even without Larry Brown, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Finals again next season. They are a very solid team and organization.

Chicago is young and still learning the game, but they are doing so well. I expect them to be back in the playoffs as a top four seed again next year.

Cleveland has LeBron, that's about it. I think they may follow the same fate they had this season. Close, but no cigar.

Indiana should be better next season with Artest playing a full season, but the loss of Reggie Miller might hurt them than it may look right now. They could be title contenders next year.

New Jersey will likely be one of the top teams and I think they will be challenging us for the Atlantic Division crown. I can't see them missing the playoffs though and they have a chance to go deep in the post season.

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Go SiXeRs!!

Coatesvillain

I truthfully think in the next couple of seasons, the only teams in the East that can be labeled title contenders are the Pistons, Pacers, and Heat. The rest of the conference is getting better, but they are clearly a level below.

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Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.