Central division: Each team has players to contend

It's true that the Western Conference, as a whole, is much better than the East.

That being said, the Central Division — despite being the East — is strong. The third-place team in the Central will likely have a better record — again — than either of the other two division champs in the Eastern Conference.

The Detroit Pistons have won three straight division titles, but either the Chicago Bulls or Cleveland Cavaliers could claim that crown this season, and it wouldn't be a major upset. After all, LeBron James and the Cavs downed the Pistons 4-2 in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bulls, meanwhile, won their first playoff series last spring since the Michael Jordan era ended late last century.

Even the last two teams in the Central aren't bad. Both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers could end up contending for the seventh or eighth playoff spots in the East.

1. DETROIT PISTONS

2006-07 RECORD: 53-29

DIVISION FINISH: first, lost to Cleveland 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals

COACH: Flip Saunders, third season

TOP ROOKIES: G Rodney Stuckey, G Arron Afflalo

KEY ADDITIONS: F Jarvis Hayes

KEY LOSSES: C Chris Webber, G Carlos Delfino

STRENGTHS: Despite being one year older, the Pistons still boast perhaps the best starting five in the NBA — PG Chauncey Billups (17.0 ppg, 7.2 apg), G Richard Hamilton (19.8 ppg), F Tayshaun Prince (14.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), F Rasheed Wallace (12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and center Antonio McDyess (8.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Detroit has gotten to at least the conference finals for five consecutive years.

CONCERNS: The lack of depth has taken its toll on the Pistons starters. If Stuckey and F Jason Maxiell and C Nazr Mohammed can give the give Detroit some quality minutes off the bench, Detroit will still be the team to beat.

2. CHICAGO BULLS

2006-07 RECORD: 49-33

DIVISION FINISH: third, lost to Detroit 4-2 in the second round of the playoffs

COACH: Scott Skiles, fifth season with the Bulls

TOP ROOKIE: F Joakim Noah

KEY ADDITIONS: F Joe Smith