Exactly right, I think.

We have the tools to beat any team in the East. It probably doesn't matter who we play. We could win or lose to any of these teams. It all depends on whether or not our team has the proper mindset.

IF the Pistons come to play...look out!

i would rather see the heat in the first round.

The Heat scare me... Shaq looks like he has more pep in his step than 3 years ago... he must be on some kind of Arnie regiment or something.

I think the Bulls are another year away... we'll see if the younguns can handle the big game pressure.

OK. I see everyones point. Maybe it is beter the Heat stay where they are.

I'd prefer a bulls-heat matchup in the first round. I rate both those teams quite a way above the cavs. let the bulls and heat slug it out for 6 or 7 games then take out the winner in the semis. then we'd be left playing cavs, raps or wiz in the conf finals. somewhere none of those teams have been in recent times.

The point is that Detroit needs to beat Toronto, not lose to them. The Pistons need to avoid Miami as long as possible. Who knows, maybe someone else (Washington, Cleveland, Chicago) takes them out the Heat. Miami moving up to #3 in the EC helps the Pistons chances of winning the Eastern Conference without a doubt.

Being 10% Bulls fan, I'd like to see this too. The Bulls scared the Heat last year and it would be good to see the Bulls get their revenge.

Also, I'd like to see Shaq lose to Ben Wallace yet again for old time's sake.

What is the composition of your other 90%? I'll guess 10% Magic, 80% Pistons.

I don't like the thinking that Miami is this Titan we need to avoid. If the Pistons play well, they will have to go through some tough teams.

Right now, Chicago scares me. Miami scares me. Cleveland is scary too because their coach knows how to play grind it out style games.

And this is NOT Canuck homerism, but people are taking the Raptors far too lightly. They're the hottest team since January and they find a way to win.

They get Bargnani back before the playoffs, and his absence as well as the absence of Garbajosa has allowed Joey Graham and Kris Humphries to establish themselves.

Any of those teams can take us to 7 games unless the Pistons are absolutely dominant.

Health and rest. Preparation and desire. That's what it will take. Not a seeding break. In my humble opinion.

__________________
Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I'll be impressed if the Raptors win their first series. I fear the Heat the most. I fear the Bulls, as well.