OPINION

By Bethlehem Shoals

updated 5:27 p.m. ET Dec. 16, 2008

This is hardly the most interesting or glamorous question to ask at this point in the season, but it is, naturally, one of the most important: Have we finally witnessed the end of conference imbalance?

Yes, the Celtics walked away with last year's ring in convincing fashion, whupping the living crap out of an accomplished Lakers team. But to get there, they had to slog through any number of Eastern foes that ranged from horribly overmatched (Atlanta Hawks) to notably shy of elite (last year's Cleveland Cavaliers). Those series were tough, hard-fought, and anything but the convincing romp through the field that Boston's assault on the Los Angeles Lakers was. In fact, in a weird way, it made the East look stronger than the West.

Anyone with three-fifths of a brain knew, at the time, that this wasn't the case. But perhaps it's time to revisit this issue, arguably the biggest thorn in the side of commissioner David Stern's quest for a quality product. Last spring may have been a kind of optical illusion, and yet it paved the way for this season — when, it's pretty clear, the tide is at least turning.

Top-to-bottom, the West is still probably the stronger assemblage. The East, though, is no longer the Celtics at the top and everyone else looking up at them. Maybe the Detroit Pistons, perennial conference powerhouses, are working through some issues; maybe Allen Iverson's indomitable spirit will eventually put them back in the hunt. Yet ironically, even with one of its institutions in shambles, the East has managed to piece together an elite that's not just respectable: They can actually compete with the West's best.

The Celtics, who need no introduction, appear even hungrier than last season, when The Big Three played as if their lives depended on it. Now they're not only more intense, they're better. And the continued growth of Rajon Rondo has made up for whatever small declines adrenaline can't mask in the nucleus of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. They're bigger, badder, more cohesive, and somehow got a chip on their shoulder from winning a championship. Go figure.

But it's not just about Boston. LeBron James has made another one of those leaps, which have become regular and commonplace as named off-shore storms. We expect nothing less than the impossible of him every night; yet back on planet earth, James has clearly found a way to build on the hyper-active exuberance of the Team USA experience (as have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh). Factor in Mo Williams' shooting and ballhandling, slightly lesser versions of the same from Delonte West and coach Mike Brown's willingness to mix it up a little on offense, and this is that Cavs team we all knew would come: James realized, the rest giving just enough to buoy him.

Special feature Free agent class of 2010 A look at the many superstars that will be hitting the free agent market. NBCSports.com

Rounding out the top five are the Orlando Magic, who with super-stud Dwight Howard, their host of shooters and ace coach Stan Van Gundy can never be counted out; those pesky Hawks, a team that found itself in the Celtics series and now is posed to finally make the most of its mess of young talent; and the New Jersey Nets, who might not hold at No. 5, and still, they've got the backcourt of Devin Harris and Vince Carter playing as well as any in the league, as well as Brook Lopez providing a spark in the paint. Even if they falter, there's a good chance that the underachieving Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers or aforementioned Pistons will eventually step up and play like we'd expected they would.

If you go on percentages alone, the West still reigns supreme. In the past, this has been taken as double-evidence that said conference is the stronger. The East has only four teams over .600; the West, seven. But if you're looking for that hardcore of competitiveness, the teams that feel like legitimate contenders, I'm not so sure the deeper West with its impressive records can claim absolutely superiority over the aforementioned five. Especially if you give the East some credit, and figure they've had to beat up on each other.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

With strong class, point guard is back Shaq practices, hopes to return against Detroit Court: NY can seize property for new NJ Nets arena Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is the league’s MVP NBA uniforms may be made in Asia   Vote: Will Nets set mark for worst start to season? Fan ranker: Who will be MVP of the NBA? Live odds Matchups/injuries Latest NBA videos NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: