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Something has been coming across my mind for the last few weeks, but i never took the time to mention it or to bring it across other people's minds. If you're an NBA fan, i'm sure most of you are all worried about the present and then there might be some (like myself) who is concerned about the future for our respective teams. I'm been examining all 30 teams in the NBA and it seems that most of them are about winning now and then there are some that are in the retooling or rebuilding phase. Here's my take on all the teams to see who are all about winning now, those who are worried about the future, those that may fail in the present, those that have very bright futures, teams that are going in the right and wrong directions, teams that are younger and teams that are older, etc. Starting with the Eastern Conference:

(Order in 2007-08 standings)

Celtics: They traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, two guys who are in their early 30s. They let go of a promising star in a young Al Jefferson who is having the career of his life, of course he's not playing for a contending team so there really is no pressure riding on his shoulders. They are obviously in a WIN NOW phase. If the Celtics don't win a title with their big three whose ages averages out to 32 years old, then it will end up being a failure in the future for the Celtics as well as a waste of trading all their good young talent so i guess you would all say that the Wolves will have had the advantage in the trade and they should be happy for their future especially the fact that they'll be getting some top draft picks this coming summer.

Pistons: Billups, Rasheed and McDyess are all getting older so there goes most of your starting lineup for the future. They are most likely in a WIN NOW phase because at this point, their future isn't too exciting.

Magics: This team has really picked themselves up BIG TIME. They have a young lineup that will be exciting to watch for the future in D-Ho, Lewis, Turkoglu and Nelson. I can see them on top of the Eastern Conference in the near future.

Cavaliers: Even though they made a big trade, i still don't really see this team going far anytime soon and it would be a good idea for LeBron James to move out of Cleveland because i certainly don't see the Cavs repeating what they did in the 2006-07 season. If it wasn't for LeBron, the Cavs wouldn't even be in the playoff picture now. With all the injuries the Cavs are experiencing now, they might not even get out of the 1st round in the playoffs either.

Raptors: They are a young team with decent talent, yet they are still very inexperienced and may continue to be a .500 team for the years to come. The only reason they are in the playoff picture is because they are a three point machine team.

Wizards: They have always been a .500 team at best and will continue to be just that, just like the Raptors.

76ers: Very young, very inexperienced and are only in the playoff picture because of the weak Eastern Conference. They're going to need to add some big pieces to their lineup if they are even trying to contend for the future.

Nets: Losing J-Kidd and his triple-doubles was sad for Nets fans, but the fans should be happy with their future. With young decent talent like leading scorer Richard Jefferson and newly-acquired PG Devin Harris to name a couple of players as well as veteran SG and the Nets 2nd leading scorer Vince Carter, the Nets look like they will have a promising future. I think that the Nets should consider looking for a new head coach though if they plan on going far in the future. Maybe someone with a great resume and more experience like Jeff Van Gundy would do?

Bulls: I thought this team was going to be going far for years to come with the way they have been for the past 3 years, but it seems like they are right back where they were before. I don't know what happened, but it certainly isn't looking too good for Chi-town fans now. They are young which is a good sign for their future, but they need some pieces to help make them a playoff contending team again.

Hawks: This team has went from a laughingstock team in the Eastern Conference to a team that is improving and looks to be decent for the years to come with their young talented lineup. They went out and made a big trade to acquire PG Mike Bibby, someone who will be a big help for them in the future to come.

Pacers: Once, this team was an elite team in the East. Now with the departures of Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson and the now-retired Reggie Miller, this team appears to be in rebuilding mode now which is a good thing for them now. This young Pacers team could make some noise again in the East soon, it's just not now. When will Jermaine O'Neal ever get 100% healthy again?

Bobcats: The young Bobcats still have ALOT of work to do before they can even think about going far in the future. They are starting to improve though, just came off their season high 5 game winning streak before getting it stopped by the Mavs.

Bucks: Another team that has alot of work to get done, but are going in the right direction by staying young and are in the rebuilding phase.

Knicks: At this point, the Knicks need someone to pray for them so that they'll find the light very soon. This team has been going through alot this season from having to deal with controversies from the dynamic duo headcases of Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas to the team even at one point fighting against each other. This Knicks team is certainly giving New York sports a bad taste in their mouths and something needs to do fixed immediately. On a positive note though, they are a young team who could have a bright future with guys like Nate Robinson, Zach Randolph, David Lee, Jamal Crawford and others. All they would need is a new head coach and a PG who is a true team-player.

Heat: This team was once a championship team a couple of years ago. Now they are in rebuilding mode. They aren't even a playoff contending team now. They let guys like Shaq, Posey, Kapano, Damon Jones, Eddie Jones and Antoine Walker get away. Seems like they are now the new laughingstock in the Eastern Conference......FOR NOW at least. If they plan on having a great future, they need to sign Shawn Marion to an extension right away, hope that D-Wade can get 100% healthy for next season(s) to come and hope to get a very big top draft pick this summer if they plan on trying to make some noise in the East for the future.

My Western Conference thoughts are soon to come.......

LOL. Nah, i'll stick with my normal life because i'm sure i'd hear an earful from the bashers which means i'd have to type an essay to each basher out there

Stay tuned for the Western Conference........