ESPN Laker Forecast

[tlongII]

It's not far-fetched to say the Lakers will win the le again this year. The reality is the Lakers are supposed to win, everybody else is a contender.

The Lakers, being the last champs, are "supposed" to win, tThere are 5-6 contenders who have a shot at it.

Of course, things don't always work out as planned but Phil has a good history of defending his rings...if I'm not mistaken, he's never failed to 3-peat.

Yah, well he's going to fail to two-peat this time.

[Allanon]

Yah, well he's going to fail to two-peat this time.

good luck to you too.

[#2!]

so many great matchup possibilities for the finals this year. Everyone probably has teams they'd rather face but any combination of lakers/spurs vs. cavs/boston would have great storylines(sorry orlando.lol).

LAvBoston(self-explanatory)
TDvKG(also these teams have great matchups at almost every position)
ShaqvKobe for ring number 5
TDvShaq for ring number 5 and possibly a final answer to the best big man of the era question

can't wait

Edit: not to mention the storylines that will develop throughout the season

[21_Blessings]

This team isnt the 2008 team anymore. We dont have a James Posey off the bench. Pierce won't get the luxary of facing Walton/Vlad anymore. He will have to deal with a guy who has the body built to make Pierce's life in Artest. The Gasol with testicles is going to give Boston trouble. I am a Celts fan and even I know the matchup advantage is in the Lakers favor now.

Instead of Luke Walton and Radmanovic trying to guard Paul Pierce, it'll be Ron Artest all in his grill.

Even then, Bynum being on the floor completely changes the matchup dynamic.