Jeff Van Gundy thought it before the season began and thinks it now. The Nets are the cream of the East, the Celtics aren't as talented as last season and will be hardpressed to upset Jason Kidd's band in a second-round series that begins tonight at the Meadowlands.

"I think the Nets are the best team in the East - the most balanced," said Van Gundy, the ex-Knick coach and TNT commentator.