http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=roundup-midseason&lpos=spotlight&lid...
Updated: Jan. 26, 2007, 2:04 PM ET
Midseason roundup: MVP? Best rookie? NBA champ?
The All-Star break is less than a month away. That means it's time for our
experts to weigh in on the first half of the season -- from teams to beat to
midseason MVP and ROY picks.
1. Which team looks like the best bet to win the East?
Greg Anthony,
ESPN.com:The longer the season goes on, the more you would
think that Miami would and should be the team to beat. Problem is, the more
they play the more they lose!
Yes, the Big Fella is back, but it's going to be awhile before he can even
be on the floor for 30 minutes a night. Because of that, the only team
that's defeated the Heat in the postseason since Shaq migrated east looks to
be fine-tuning for another run to the Finals. So I won't be surprised to see
the Pistons back in familiar territory, the NBA Finals.
Chris Broussard, ESPN The Magazine: Honestly, I have to say the Miami Heat.
The only EC team playing up to its potential and showing a champion's heart
right now is Washington, and I don't think it has enough punch inside to
reach the Finals.