2007-2008 was supposed to be different.  The National Basketball Association which in recent years has been characterized by Western Conference dominance (seven of the last nine titles reside in the West, as well as the last six MVP’s) was supposed to see a rise in Eastern competitiveness.

The New York Knicks after a promising first half last season appeared to have turned things around.  The Nets behind Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson were poised to contend for a title.  After winning the Atlantic Conference last year, the Toronto Raptors, behind Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, were to become an up-and-coming and consistent force in the league.  The Cleveland Cavaliers made the NBA Finals last year and many felt LeBron James had turned the page into becoming the best player in the game.  The upstart Chicago Bulls were expected to give the more veteran teams in the league quite a challenge.  And the Miami Heat, who only two seasons ago were hoisting the O’Brien Trophy, were to once again be led by their dynamic duo.

Currently, only one of the aforementioned teams is above .500.  Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss… the Western Conference.

There have been a few pleasant surprises in the East.  The Celtics Big Three look like potential NBA champions.  The Orlando Magic behind man-child Dwight Howard raced off to a hot start.  And the Detroit Pistons are still the Pistons.  But questions even lie within these rosters.  Will the Celtics add a veteran back-up point guard to provide support for young Rajon Rondo when it matters most… in June?  Does anyone expect Rondo to contend with the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash or Deron Williams, never mind Chauncey Billups?   Despite the hot start, the Magic have dropped seven of their last ten, are playing sub-.500 ball on their home floor and are allowing 100 points a game.  And although steady, does Detroit have enough in their tank for one more title run.

The remaining Eastern Conference teams have been nothing less than tremendously disappointing…

Toronto Raptors (15-14):  This team is waiting for someone to step up and become a third scorer.  Bosh and Ford are talents but the rest of their roster is devoid of consistent, clutch scoring.  Top draft pick Andrea Bargnani is averaging less than 10 points per game and is being outscored by teammate Jason Kapono.

New Jersey Nets (12-15):  Is it any wonder that we hear weekly rumblings about Jason Kidd’s trade demands?  For years, the Nets have failed to land an inside presence to help their backcourt.  Show me a team where the point guard leads the team in rebounds and I’ll show you a team destined to get bounced in the second round of the playoffs, if they make the post-season at all.  Can anyone even name the Nets starting power forward and center?  I didn’t think so.

New York Knicks (8-19):  On paper, the Knicks actually look like they could be a contender:  Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Quentin Richardson.  Unfortunately for Knicks fans, Isiah Thomas is still their coach and James Dolan is still their owner.  With off-court problems casting a heavy shadow over the franchise, it’s unlikely the Knickerbockers will emerge and pose a serious threat in the Atlantic Division.

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-16):  Ultimately, LeBron’s decision to re-sign with Cleveland when his contract is up will make or break this franchise.  Their inability to surround him with top caliber talent might make his decision to bail easier.  The front court of Drew Gooden and Anderson Varejao is formidable, but they’re no Carlos Boozer.  Daniel Gibson is a spark, but the Larry Hughes experiment has been a total failure.  There’s only so much one man can do, even if he is the chosen one.

Chicago Bulls (9-16):  Chicago’s inability to get it together just cost Scott Skiles his job, but the Bulls’ fate may have been sealed when they signed Ben Wallace to a long-term contract.  I know Big Ben was acquired for his defense presence, but he may very well be the highest-paid player per point scored to ever play the game.  He’s making $15 mil this season and averaging fewer than five points per game.  You do the math.  Kobe trade rumors may have distracted the team, but at this point, Chicago should have pulled the trigger.  They couldn’t be playing much worse.

Miami Heat (8-20):  Hampered early by Dwayne Wade’s health problems and currently by Alonzo Mourning’s, the Heat look hard-pressed to make the playoffs.  Shaquille O’Neal is averaging career low numbers and looks considerably older than 35.  If anyone other than Pat Riley were coaching this team, he would have already been relieved of his duties.  Even Stan Van Gundy, who’s now having the last laugh in Orlando, didn’t lead the Heat to an 8-20 record.

There have been some pleasant surprises in the East.  The Atlanta Hawks are playing .500 ball and their young talent may be enough to bring this team into the post-season.  But winning a playoff series is beyond anyone’s legitimate expectations.  Indiana and Washington are mediocre at best.  And nobody expected Charlotte or Philadelphia to be any good this season… and they’re not.

Contrast that to the Western teams who most thought would be average.  The Lakers have shown renewed life and are playing among the best of the West.  The young Portland Trailblazers have now won 11 straight.  And there’s always the Jazz, Spurs, Suns, Nuggets and Mavericks.

Come June, we’re bound to hear even louder rumblings for Commissioner Stern to revise the league’s playoff structure, co-mingling the Eastern and Western teams in early rounds to weed out the lesser talent.  As least hoops junkies can take solace in the fact that the Eastern Conference Finals between Detroit and Boston will be a series worth watching and the winner should pose a legitimate threat to whichever team comes out of the West.  The rest of the Eastern teams might as well combine their rosters to form an All-Star team to contend with the top two.  After all, that’s what Pistons and Celtics management has done and it seems to be working fairly well for them.

Say what you will about Isiah Thomas, his New York Knick team, playing short-handed, has won four or their last five, including three overtime victories.

Last week, after the Knicks game against Denver was marred by a late altercation involving Carmelo Anthony, Nate Robinson and others, Isiah was criticized for encouraging dirty play and calling for the hard foul that instigated the melee. 

Much to David Stern's chagrin, that fight seems to have been the driving force behind the Knickerbockers' latest charge.  Although five games under .500, they're only one game back in the Atlantic Division, and have recently beaten Chicago, Utah and Detroit.

Isiah's getting strong guard play from Jamal Crawford, consistent post-play from Eddy Curry and clutch rebounding from Florida Gator David Lee, who's averaging fifteen boards a game over that stretch.

A few more fights and a couple more victories and Isiah might just get to keep his job.