i think the turn-of-the-millennium blazers were a much much better team than the knicks, pacers or sixers. i think webber's kings were much much better than kidd's nets. i think there were 2 or 3 seasons where nash's suns would've won the east. etc.
the west and east playoffs over the last 15 years have basically been 2 completely separate, unequal tournaments. losing in the NCAA title game is more prestigious than winning the NIT.
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it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes