NBA Eastern Conference - Who's Ready?

More than half-way through the NBA season we have no idea who’s the best team in the Eastern Conference. All teams have serious questions that need to be answered in the next two months. The leading candidates:

Washington - Great offense (1st in the conference in scoring) and a superstar in ‘Agent 0’, but can they defend and rebound (only 9th in the conference in rebounding)?

Detroit - The team with the best balance of offense and defense (2nd in point differential) and Finals experience. Will Chris Weber gel with the team like Rasheed Wallace did three years ago on their way to a championship and a seven-game Finals loss in his first two seasons with Detroit?

Chicago - Young and restless. They are a deep squad that defends well at times but do they have enough experience to win tight playoff games? They’re 1st in point differential but have been inconsistent and Ben Wallace is not having the impact they expected.

Cleveland - Is Lebron ready? As far as superstars, he does not close games as well as Kobe and D-Wade, or even Arenas. His supporting cast isn’t there yet. Lebron has to become a better finisher (especially at the free throw line), and get more help before he can take the Cavs to the Finals.

And currently on the outside looking in are the Miami Heat - need to get to the playoffs, stay healthy and hope that the magic returns.

Keep in mind that the Miami Heat were just 52-30 and not playing great ball entering the playoffs last year…but then again they had D-Wade and Shaq (three championships) and coach Pat Riley (four championships as a coach).

My vote: DE-TROIT, BASKET-BALL. They have the killer backcourt that hits all free throws at the end of games, a solid front-court, they execute on offense, they defend decently and they have the experience needed to pull out close playoff games. C-Webb may finally get to the Finals after all.