Paul Pierce is not overrated. Being stuck in Boston has damaged his reputation. Ray Allen is definitely overrated and is the far lesser of the 3 main players. Ranking the Celtics as #2 in the NBA is ludicrous. They belong in the top 7 or 8 maybe. The Pistons are too high at #5. If the Cavs return intact, they, the Bulls, Mavericks, Jazz, Nuggets at the least belong in front of them. They got this ranking on past achievement and reputation. Ranking the Wizards at #15 (as the 8th best EC team) is just crazy. The injuries that killed them late last season must have made them the forgotten team. They are closer to contending for the best record in the EC than the 8th seed.
I didn't say ESPN was based in Boston. I just said remember where they are. Connecticut is closer to Boston as a NBA city than anywhere else, and ESPN has always had their lips wrapped around anything Boston. Anyway, I can think of, oh, let's see.. 4, maybe 5 teams in the East that are going to finish above Boston: Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Miami, Cleveland, maybe even Washington. So yes I am serious. It'll definitely be interesting to watch how it all unfolds, though.
