I would like to clue everyone in to a little secret

There are more than enough countries queuing up to host a race. Simply because there is no British race does not make the eventual winner less of a World Champion. Secondly, and more frighteningly, F1 does not NEED a British race. You can argue that the fact that most of the teams are based in the UK should safeguard a home race But why should it They already travel the equivalent of umpteen times around the world in the season, what difference would maybe having one less race in Europe make And the teams wouldnt just up and leave because there was no race in Britain, they are here because of the huge pool of talent they can rely on and top class facilities, not because there so happens to be an F1 a metaphorical stones throw from their front door. Also, from what I see so far, its the fans who are crying out for a British Grand Prix rather than the teams After all, fans are what keep the sport going. And are British fans going to still be watching F1, either at the tracks or on TV, even if there is no British Grand Prix Yes Yes we are.

We will kick up a fuss for a few months, but by March next year, well all be sat back in our normal chairs watching the first F1 races of a new season Compare that to what Bernie will no doubt call "emerging" markets, such as Korea or India where fans need to be introduced to F1 on their doorstep. OK, so no-one will get the gate receipts from a Silverstone, or even a Donington, weekend but many of the same fans who would attend a British Grand Prix will start change plans to go to another race Spa, Monza, maybe a race further afield. Sports fans, after all, are already used to spending money on flights (or other travel) and tickets to follow their favourites. Why else would sports stadiums around the world have away ends, why else would the Channel Tunnel be packed with cars headed for Le Mans every June.

Bernie will still be able to rely on the British Pound reaching F1s pocket, so on a business level he doesnt need the British Grand Prix, he simply needs the British, and the two are very separate. - NB: I, under no circumstances, support Bernie Ecclestone, the man is a greedy, evil man with no sense of how to run a sport And that is what F1 is: a sport.. Trying to figure out Eastern Conference playoff seeding is slow, and tedious, and could prove to be an exercise in futility.The top three teams are easy, but after that everything becomes a convoluted and muddled mess, with as many as nine teams fighting for five spots.The west was different because the balance of power is more evenly distributed throughout the conference, providing a clearer glimpse of who would be advancing to the postseason.I have done my best to compile a list of the teams that will be extending their regular seasons, to the victors go the spoils.So for these teams, New York, Indiana, New Jersey, Charlotte, Detroit, Chicago, and Milwaukee, I would like to thank you for preparing the other teams for the postseason.Of these teams only New Jersey has no way in hell of making the playoffs, and the others are close, but that only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, so godspeed to you all, and enjoy your summers.As for the eastern teams that will be continuing their journeys, your paths are long and arduous, and may very well end up in defeat to one of the top three, but that's why they play the games.Feel free to give me your own versions of this list, or let me know if you feel I have lost my way. Be patient though , because I can see the clearing at the end of the path On with the show.. Philadelphia will be banking on the return of Elton Brand to lead them back to the postseason, and him staying healthy will be key.His presence strengthens a frontcourt that includes Samuel Dalembert, and Thaddeus Young.Young is an emerging star and Dalembert can prove to be a defensive anchor on a team that doesn't play very good man defense.Andre Miller's leadership and steadiness will be missed, and the Sixers can only hope that guard Lou Williams is ready to play the point guard position full-time.The wild -card is guard Andre Iguadola, who at various junctures seems to be on the verge of superstardom.He will have to take the next step, because the Sixers' hold on the eighth seed is tenuous at best, and there are a host of teams waiting to pounce should the Sixers miss a beat..

The Hawks seem to be in a holding pattern as far as their development as a viable contender in the east.They are too talented to fall much further, but don't have the direction or the passion to really make a statement in the postseason.Much of the motivation issue has to do with coach Mike Woodson, but the players haven't dedicated themselves to the weaknesses in their games.The addition of Jamal Crawford provides another scoring option to go along with Joe Johnson, but Crawford, like many of the Hawks, is a poor defender.The one player who should be a defensive stopper is Josh Smith, but he too lacks the motivation and passion to work on that part of his game, unless it involves a block that will make SportsCenter.Mike Bibby has continued his descent into mediocrity, and is a defensive liability anytime he is on the court.Re-signing Marvin Williams was a good thing, because Williams, Johnson, and forward Al Horford are the only ones who show the type of grit and learning capacity that it takes in order for the Hawks to advance.. If all goes well with the Wizards they could potentially move up and challenge for a spot as high as third in the East.Of course if all goes well primarily means, if Gilbert Arenas' knees can hold up to the punishment of an entire season.He hasn't played a meaningful game in two seasons and his health is paramount to the Wizards' postseason chances. In plain speak, if he can't go, then the Wizard will have a long summer.On the other hand if healthy, Arenas has an experienced and capable cadre of players surrounding him.Antwann Jamison and Caron Butler are two of the most underrated players at their respective positions, and center Brendan Haywood never receives the credit that he deserves.The addition of sharp-shooter, Mike Miller should give Washington another perimeter scoring option, and Randy Foye should take some of the pressure off of Gilbert Arenas.Make no mistake though, the Wizards will only go as far as Gilbert's knees will take them, and if he can't return to prominence, like magic the Wizards will disappear from the playoff picture.. Most observers would say that the Heat's position is a little high, considering that they are basically a one-trick pony.I counter with the argument, that when that one-trick pony happens to be one of the top three players in the league, it kind of balances things out.Miami will go as far as the broad shoulders of Dwayne Wade will carry them, and he has the talent to turn some heads in the playoffs.Unfortunately for him, his supporting cast doesn't measure up the lofty standards he upholds.The key will be center Jermaine O'Neal. If he can regain any of the magic that allowed him to be one of the better post players this decade, then the Heat could be formidable.He is aging rapidly though, and his various injuries make it unlikely that he will be having many flashback moments this season.Michael Beasley definitely has the talent to be a worthy side-kick to Wade, but who knows what his state of mind is after his earlier stint in rehab this yearAfter those three you have a stable of steady but unremarkable players, who will do the things necessary to compete, but none are really talented enough to make a difference. I would like to clue everyone in to a little secret. Much ado has been made about Shaquille O'Neal's signing with the Cavs, but truthfully the center position was not the problem for Cleveland last year.Their flaw was the inability to match up with the more versatile power forwards in the East, and that is a problem that remains there today.Besides, pinning your hopes on a 37 year old Shaq shows the true desperation that has befallen this organization.They need to win and win now, but their roster doesn't suggest that much re-tooling, more like adding extra bodies that might help you in the long run.Jemario Moon is a tremendous athletic addition, but he lacks the discipline to be a premier defender, which is what the Cavs need, and Anthony Parker is nothing but a role player who's biggest attribute is being Candace Parker's brother.The failure to address versatility at the power forward position, and not adding any other real perimeter help for LeBron James will keep the Cavs looking up in the East..