He hasn't even taken a team to the Eastern Conference finals.

The level of play that we had last year getting to the Eastern Conference finals wasn't good enough.

They are down, two games to none, in the Eastern Conference finals.

Good enough to reach the Eastern Conference finals, or perhaps even beyond.

"To play well in the Eastern Conference finals is just a great feeling," he said.

"It gives us a chance to get some rest, but also look forward to being in the Eastern Conference finals."

They reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1995 and again last spring.

A miss would send them to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 16 years.

If they do play again, chances are it will not be until the Eastern Conference finals.

Thus new air was pumped into the Eastern Conference finals.