When did the East become significantly weaker than the West?

[ClingingMars]

Just wondering, I can't really pick up on a specific year.

-Mars

[JamStone]

It's been weaker the last 7 years. Still won two of the last three NBA les though.

[Leetonidas]

When Jordan left.

[E20]

When Jordan left.

Also, when Shaq went to the west.

[SpursDynasty]

The East has been weak since Jordan left. The only reason the Pistons won in 2004 and the Heat in 2006 is because Derek Fisher's bull fluke 0.4 shot and Dallas cheating in last year's semifinals vs the Spurs.

Spurs could be going for their 5th straight championship if not for those bull teams in 2004 and 2006 that shouldn't have beaten the Spurs in the playoffs.

[ClingingMars]

So if it's been this way since Jordan left, then you could say that Duncan is to the West as Jordan was to the East.

-Mars

[Budkin]

Both the teams left in the East look like . If the Spurs manage to get past the Jazz it's not going to be pretty for either the Pistons or the Cavs.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Both the Pistons and Cavs stink! Horrible, horrible basketball with little entertainment value.

[mavs>spurs2]

SpursDynasty you are a ing fluke.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

It's been weaker the last 7 years. Still won two of the last three NBA les though.

One more this year mark it down.

[ducks]

spurs will win this year

[dallaskd]

When the Lakers started their dominance, it was all downhill from there.

[JamStone]

So if it's been this way since Jordan left, then you could say that Duncan is to the West as Jordan was to the East.

-Mars

no.

jordan got 6 out of 8.

duncan got 3 out of 8.

shaq got 4 out of 8.

[JamStone]

Both the teams left in the East look like . If the Spurs manage to get past the Jazz it's not going to be pretty for either the Pistons or the Cavs.

if pistons make it to the finals, they will play better than they are right now. people predicted a spurs sweep in 2005, and it turned out more compe ive. i think if that is the match-up (nothing guaranteed yet), it will be more compe ive than some spurs fans tend to believe.

[J.T.]

Whoever predicted a Spurs sweep in '05 is ing re ed.

[DDS4]

if pistons make it to the finals, they will play better than they are right now. people predicted a spurs sweep in 2005, and it turned out more compe ive. i think if that is the match-up (nothing guaranteed yet), it will be more compe ive than some spurs fans tend to believe.

Not quite sure that many people predicted a sweep (if they did, they were idiots), but I knew for sure it was going to be quite compe ive.

I'm a little surprised the Pistons are struggling on the offensive end, it's supposedly Flip's strength.

[Mr. Body]

The East overall was pretty weak even at the end of Jordan's run. The Pacers and the Knicks were the class behind the Bulls, with the Heat pretty good, but I'd say there were more better teams in the WC.

[SpurForLife]

One more this year mark it down.

Sorry, but I ain't marking it down. No le for the east this year.

[KidCongo]

didn't the cavs win the regular season series against Spurs...shows we can play

[mikejones99]

Cavs one those 2 games 6 months ago. Currently the east stands little to no chance.

[JamStone]

Whoever predicted a Spurs sweep in '05 is ing re ed.

I wouldn't call 50% of SpursTalk posters (Spurs fans) ing re ed. That's a bit harsh.

[theMUHMEshow]

Cavs one those 2 games 6 months ago. Currently the east stands little to no chance.

I heard the same thing in 04.

The thing about the Pistons (and I think most of the Spurs fans that follow the NBA know this) is they play down to the level of their compe ion. The Pistons are TERRIBLE favorites...however great underdogs. So I think them sneaking by the bum ass Cavs team is a good thing. Everyone saying they have no shot is great. Just like they didnt have a shot to get back into the series in the 05 finals and just like they had no shot against Kobe and the Lakers in 04