I think we're on the outside looking in heading forward, but I thought that last year as well so who knows. Some fluke injuries and crazy overachieving might plop us right back into the ECF. Never know.
But yes... the Lakers, Heat, Thunder, Bulls... potentially the Clippers... maybe the Nets if they land Howard... they are all serious threats next year. I hope we are too. But right now it's hard to see anyone beating the Thunder or Heat unless someone gets injured.