Expansion Domination

Last night, the top-two teams in the league met for a head-to-head battle for NBA supremecy. And no, it wasn't Boston and Phoenix. That's right, as of yesterday, the team with the best record in the East is the Orlando Magic (who ended the Celtic's perfect start) and your top team out west: The New Orleans Hornets.

Both these teams are relatively new to the NBA (the Hornets entered the league in 1988 while playing in Charlotte, and the Magic were founded the next year in 1989.) Although both these teams have been in the league for nearly 20 years, they're still struggling for relevence. Orlando hasn't made headlines since Shaquille O'neal led them to the NBA finals in 1995 (losing soundly in four games to the Rockets.) On the other end of the spectrum, the Hornets are usually in the news for all the wrong reasons. The team has been under perpetually-bad ownership, which saw them leave Charlotte for New Orleans in 2002. The team made headlines once again when it moved to Oklahoma City for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina.

Both teams have now found success behind solid role-players. The Hornets boast a lineup that features a very skilled point guard in Chris Paul, plus a a solid center in Tyson Chandler. Peja Stojakavic also brings in veteran skill at small forward. I see the Hornets giving the west's powers a run for their money in this year's playoffs.

I also see the Magic taking the Celtics the distance in this year's playoffs. With players like Adonal Foyale, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard, the Magic will be a force to be reckoned with in the East. The Magic currently have the best record in the league at 10-2, and what's even more impressive is their 7-0 record on the road this season. Orlando has proved it can win big games, and they can win on the road. So the memo to the rest of the league is: Watch out.