That's what the rest of the West is muttering these days after watching Kobe and Shaq get their act together. Four wins so far on a five-game road trip? Let's just say the Lake Show is primed for its usual sweeps months in May and June. Oh, the Kings, Mavs, T-Wolves and Spurs should give L.A. problems, but who are we kidding? It's the Lakers' title to lose.
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Team/Record
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Last week
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Skinny
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THE TEAM TO BEAT |
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1. Lakers 39-16
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3/4-0 |
The only thing that can stop them: Shaq's arthritic big toe. That, and Kobe breaking his hand on Samaki Walker's face.
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| TEAMS WHO REALLY COULD BEAT L.A.
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2. Kings 41-15
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1/1-2
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Yeah, yeah. They still have the best record. But they've got to stop this Jekyll-turning-into-Hyde complex when they hit the road. |
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3. Mavericks 40-17
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4/3-0
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Will the Mavs' run-and-gun style work in the playoffs? Who cares? They're even more fun to watch with Van Exel and LaFrentz pulling up from long range. |
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4. Wolves 38-18
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2/2-1
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The T-Wolves think they're tougher up front with Marc Jackson. We'll see for sure after The Diesel's visit to the Twin Cities. |
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5. Spurs 36-20
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5/2-2 |
When David Robinson speaks, the Spurs obviously listen. D-Rob's bus-ride address sparked Tuesday's win over Phoenix. But did the Admiral's speech to the crew right the ship only temporarily? |
| THE EAST'S BEAST
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6. Nets 38-17
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6/3-0
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Folks in the Tri-State area should forget about "The Producers" tickets. The best show, on or off Broadway, plays in the Continental Airlines Arena. |
| DON'T FORGET ABOUT US
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7. Blazers 32-24
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9/4-0
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Mo Cheeks and 'Sheed didn't get the Kobe treatment from the Philly fanatics, even though their homecomings was the backdrop to the Blazers' sixth straight victory.
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8. Jazz 31-25
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7/1-1
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Jerry Sloan's club deserves a gold medal for cross-country skiing. While the Olympics occupied Salt Lake City, the Jazz endured a nine-game, 23-day road trip and came home with a 6-3 mark. |
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9. Bucks 32-23
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11/3-1
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An easy week that began with routs of the Rockets and Warriors led to a smackdown of the upstart Pistons and loss to the Lakers. However, the madness of King George is driving Big Dog crazy again.
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10. Celtics 31-25
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8/0-2
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Had trouble doing the Texas two-step with losses at Dallas and Houston. Delk and Rogers may need time to find their rhythm with Pierce and Walker. |
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11. Pistons 31-23
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14/2-1
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The loss to Milwaukee proved they're not quite ready to take over the Central, but hey, who would've thought Rick Carlisle would get these guys playing way over the heads again? |
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WORKS IN PROGRESS |
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12. Sonics 31-26
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16/3-1
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The Sonics have won six of seven since Vin Baker went down with three dislocated toes on his left foot. Coincidence? Hardly. (Just wondering: How do you dislocate three toes on the same foot?)
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13. Magic 30-26
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15/3-1
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Three wins over the Clippers, Sixers and streaking Bulls with T-Mac (and a loss to the Cavs without him due to a sore foot) have Doc Rivers' troops within reach of the East's No. 3 seed. Shocking.
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14. 76ers 27-28
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10/1-2
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The slumping defending Eastern Conference champs are at a loss for words. But Allen Iverson isn't when it comes to criticizing his teammates.
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15. Raptors 29-29
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13/0-3
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Vince Carter's absence was the Raptors' crutch of an excuse for their poor play until he came back and they promptly lost their eighth straight. Lenny Wilkens is trying everything, including two-hour practices, to get this group together.
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16. Pacers 28-28
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20/2-1
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With the defensive muscle of Brad Miller and Ron Artest, the Pacers are playing the brand of ball Isiah Thomas made famous with the Bad Boys. Winning ugly will get them to the postseason. |
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JORDAN-LESS
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17. Wizards 27-28
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12/0-4
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Remember the Island of Misfit Toys? That's what the Wizards will look like without MJ. Doug Collins deserves Coach of the Century if he somehow coaxes this bunch into keeping a playoff spot warm until Jordan comes back.
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ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
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18. Heat 23-31
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18/2-1
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Pat Riley continues to will this team back from a 5-23 start, but do the Heat (and Zo) have enough energy to make that final playoff push? |
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19. Clippers 29-30
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17/3-2
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Salvaged a five-game road trip with wins over the Grizzlies and Rockets (and a migraine-less Steve Francis). Emergences of Utah and Portland isn't helping their playoff cause, however.
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20. Hornets 27-29
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19/1-3
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A banged-up backcourt of Davis and Wesley was a bummer after getting Mashburn back. But Jordan's injury should help ease the Hornets' pain (and postseason hopes).
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21. Suns 27-29
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21/2-1
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They'll regret trading Kidd for Marbury. But stealing Joe Johnson from the Celtics might make up for that blunder. Maybe.
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ONE WORD: LOTTERY
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22. Cavaliers 20-36
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25/2-2
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They had won six of eight (including victories at Indiana and at home against Orlando) before running into the Sonics. John Lucas should get a better look at what rookie DaSagana Diop can do with Chris Mihm on the injured list.
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23. Rockets 20-36
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22/2-2
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Wins over Minnesota and Boston make you wonder what might've been for the Rockets had Steve Francis' migraines not been such a major headache. |
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24. Bulls 15-41
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27/3-1
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They already love Jalen Rose in Chicago. At least his teammates do. Now only if the rest of the Chicago took notice.
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25. Knicks 20-34
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23/0-3
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Despite what doctors say, Marcus Camby says his hurt hip won't keep him sidelined. Some words of wisdom: Call it a season, Marcus. The Knicks aren't going anywhere.
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26. Hawks 20-36
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24/1-2
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Despite losses to Portland and Seattle, the Hawks are playing their best ball of the season, having won six of their last 10. Toni Kukoc and Alan Henderson are back and slowly getting into shape. |
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TOUGH TO WATCH |
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27. Nuggets 16-37
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26/0-3
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Antonio McDyess returns to the court Friday ... to Mengke Bateer manning the middle? Welcome back, Antonio. |
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28. Grizzlies 15-41
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28/0-3
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A starting backcourt of Gill and Solomon. That's all you need to know about the Grizz. |
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29. Warriors 15-39
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29/0-4
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The Bay Area is a nice place to live and all, but why would Jeff Van Gundy want to subject himself to such abuse?
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