Being born and raised in Southern California, and being a lifelong Laker fan, I have to honestly say that my team has to be the favorites again. I have every confidence that Shaq will be back even better than before. If he dominated so much with a bad toe, imagine what he'll be doing to the league pain-free. Sacramento is the trendy pick right now, but they showed in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals that none of them other than Mike Bibby has the testicular fortitude to step up and make a pressure shot. And speaking of Bibby, I heard that he injured his foot. That won't be good. If the point guard is out for the preseason, it screws up the team's rhythm.

I feel sorry for you Nets fans. They may come out of the East again, but that will only mean that they're the fourth or fifth best team in the league. Mutombo was a good upgrade, and I'm excited to see what Richard Jefferson will do as a starter.

The bottom line: Lakers win again. Four-peat. Four-play. Fo' in a row. Whatever you wanna call it.