71.   The Cubs apparently thought so much of the team that won the one-game playoff for the playoffs last season that they only tinkered with it.

72.   The Fire made the playoffs both seasons.

73.   The Eagles are the only team in the group that made the playoffs last season.

74.   The Eagles eliminated the Bucs in the first round of the playoffs last season.

75.   The Lakers were not at their complete best, at least nothing that resembled the team that nearly swept through the playoffs last season.

76.   The gospel according to the NBA is that the Celtics will, in all likelihood, not make the playoffs this season.

77.   The Knicks reached the second round of the playoffs last season without Ewing before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers.

78.   The Jets will probably be in the playoffs next season.

79.   The Knicks have been eager to get to the playoffs all season.

80.   The Mercury was closer to missing the playoffs last season than to surpassing the Comets.