But 6 of the 8 teams in the east are also rans before they even entered the playoffs. If Indiana makes the FINALS, then i'd say they are contenders, it's just way too damn easy to make it to the conference finals in the east... considering they didn't even have to meet the Heat until the ECF.
Indiana clearly took games off because they didn't have a challenge. If they were to take a night off against the SA spurs, they'd get run out of the series just like we did.
I understand the parameters, but the eastern conference doesn't lend itself to those... In the east, there's 2 teams.. in the west, there's 6-8. It's not a fair comparison to say you're a contender in the east when the only other competition is someone you'll face in the ECF. That's just how I see it.