The quick answer to this question, if you ask most people, is no. There's no way the Washington Wizards will claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference and gain home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Of course, it's difficult to argue with pundits who think there are other, more seasoned basketball teams out there that probably will grab the No. 1 seed. Those teams being the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. But the Pistons play basketball like it's a simple 9 to 5 job -- simple factory work. Plus, the Pistons are offensively challenged with no bench to speak of whatsover. The Heat, meanwhile, aren't even in the playoff picture as of yet. No need to discuss them at this time. Then, there are the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. Both of those teams are flawed, as well. The Bulls are great defensively, but mostly cold on offense. They're prone to long stretches of bad shooting. The Cavaliers play a possession game, meaning the offense is run through LeBron James every time down the floor. Pretty much, it's give the ball to LeBron and see what he can create for himself and for his teammates. Nothing too elaborate there.

So, it would seem, the Wizards have a good chance. Sure, they have problems of their own, but after staring 4-9 (0-8 on the road), the team has gone 24-10. They're playing tough, inspired basketball. Their defense, still far from perfect (hell, far from adequate), is steadily improving. If Antawn Jamison's knee injury isn't serious, the Wizards do have a chance to contend in the Eastern Conference. With Gilbert Arenas (right), Caron Butler and Jamison, the Wizards have a formidable scoring trio that could take them deep into the playoffs. Don't count out the Wizards just yet. At 28-19, this is the best Wizards team D.C. area has enjoyed in more than 20 years.

The Baltimore Orioles made several offseason acquisitions that, I hope, will allow them to place higher than fourth place in the AL East for just the second time in 10 years. The obvious priority for the Orioles front office was the bullpen. Baltimore signed four pitches to strengthen a weak pen that featured only one consistent performer last year: closer Chris Ray. The Orioles also inked two outfield bats. The O's had an astounding lack of production from their left field position last year. The two signees, discussed below, should help. Here now, is a brief run-down of some of the new Orioles.

The Bullpen:

1. Jamie Walker: Perhaps the best pitcher the Orioles signed. Walker is a lefty set-up man, who will be vital to the team's success. Last year, Baltimore had no southpaws of any impact. Walker also earned a World Series berth last year as a member of the Detroit Tigers.

2. Danys Baez: Last year, he was Los Angeles Dodgers property, but the former Tampa Bay Devil Rays closer is back in the AL East, where he's experienced his most success as a pitcher. Baez will be a nice late-game guy.

3. Chad Bradford: The former New York Met right-hander will be a good middle inning guy if a starter can't go more than five or six innings.

4. Scott Williamson: The Orioles signed the former Reds closer to a one-year, $900,000 deal because of his history of injuries. He's a classic risk/reward guy for the O's. He could turn out to be a steal or a bust. But if he is a bust, there isn't too much money sunk into his surgically repaired arm.

Position Players:

1. Aubrey Huff: Astros property last year, but a Devil Ray for his whole career before that, Huff will have an impact on the Orioles offense. He can bat anywhere from fourth through sixth in the lineup, and he should provide some protection for Miguel Tejada.

2. Jay Payton: The former Athletic will be a fourth outfielder for the team. He can start, DH or come off the bench. He adds more versatility to an outfield that had only two legitimate Major Leaguers in it last year.

Steely Dan is an iconic band that made most of its music and experienced most of its success from 1972-1980. The two New York savants, Donald Fagen (on the right in both pictures) and Walter Becker, found each other because of their mutual affection for the raw emotion, yet finely tuned, sounds of jazz music. They coupled that shared interest with their liberal arts background to create some of the most dynamic, layered and intelligent music of the last 30 years. During their eight-year hayday, they released seven albums, one a year until 1977, when, after releasing Aja, they didn't produce another joint album until 1980's Gaucho.

They parted ways after Gaucho to pursue solo careers. But they still teamed up in their solo puruits, with Becker often producing Fagen's personal efforts. The two reunited in 2000 to release Two Against Nature, an album that featured the hit single "Cousin Dupree," which earned them their only Grammy Award. They also released Everything Must Go in 2003, their last album to date.

Their music is a combination of jazz, rock, soul and blues. They were sticklers in the studio as they attempted to perfect their sound. They wanted no note out of place. Every song was measured to perfection, and even if you didn't like Steely Dan's music, you could certainly appreciate how pristine every album sounded.

Fagen, the lead singer and keyboard master, was hesitant to take on the singing responsibilities. On the band's first ablum, Fagen shared the duties with a couple of other people, but soon, Fagen's nasally voice was the only to be found on Steely Dan's work. Becker, not suited to singing at all, focused on his guitar work. The two wrote all the music and lyrics and employed studio bands to round out the performances. Because their music is unique, it doesn't fit into one particular genre or era of music. Their sound is distinct and important, and one will ever do it better.