Yes, the scales will tip in the Easts favor I guess within 4-6 years. It always does and it eventually will with the amount of young talent the East gets every year with the high draft picks they get. I am not sure if it will ne a big despairity as the West/East was last season but it will balance itself out. Last season a couple big names came from the East to the West- Kidd and Shaq, but Marion went to the East. I think alot of trades with big named players could hapen this season so that can change things a bit also for next season. The Hawks do have a bright future, but it looks like they are shopping Smith, who had tremendous upside. Things like expiring contracts and trades will play a ig part in the next tow years

Keep in mind that Portland, and either Denver, Golden State or Houston (whichever one doesn't make the playoffs), is going to get a higher draft pick then teams three of the following teams (whichever are unfortunate enought to make the playoffs in the East)--Washington, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago.

There might be a team in the West with 50 wins that is in the draft lottery.  This sort of thing means that teams in the West that are already better are going to get an opportunity to get that much better than the bulk of the teams in the East.  Based on this, if all other things stay equal, the East will not get any better.  The general managers of teams in the East have to consistently make better decisions than thos in the West over a sustainable period of time for the overall ability of teams in the East to get as good or better.  If the East GM's and West GM's simply perform evenly (which the East GM's for the most part are not even doing that), then the West will continue to be better from top to bottom.

As Pistons fans, we should be very happy that the East isn't as competitive as the West.  I was thrilled to see both Oden and Durant head west last summer.  How in the world would it be beneficial to the Pistons for the East to improve?  It wouldn't.  I'll take the easier road to the Finals and be fresh for a series against a worn down Western Conference team any day of the week.

Let's not forget where Oden and Durant went, or where the 2 best young PGs in the NBA are.  If Beasley and Rose head out west this June, it could easily be another decade of dominance.  Also, what is keeping Wade and LeBron in the East?  If Miami doesn't drastically improve and if Cleveland doesn't get LeBron some real help, those guys could be on there way out.  I think the East as a whole will be significantly weaker than the West for some time.

To answer the question, I say that the East will be better in three years.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, etc...

That's good.

When LeBron James and Dwyane Wade take over the league (in about 3-5 years), then the East will be on top. There is so much young talent and rising superstars in the East so they are bound to make it better.