Why not? They've got two young stars in the making in Martin and Jefferson. They've got a good supporting cast with Lucious Harris and co. They've got a great coach, and they have an owner who actually knows how to run a team(Rod Thorn).
All this "eastern conference is obselete" stuff is bogus, and if anything this year's finals should have proven that. The Nets played with the Spurs.
In a few years the balance of power will shift again, just as it always does. Five years ago nobody doubted that the East was superior.
