This team has it all with or without Kobe. But we will be with Kobe soon enough, the prosecutors cries of "rape" looked pretty shady when they found three guys semen in her panties. Wonder why the other guys who aren't rich and famous aren't being tried for rape??????? Anyhow, with Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Bryon Russell, Gary Payton, and Kareem Rush on the starting line-up we are fine. Throw in an acquitted Kobe Bryant, and a healthy Rick Fox along with back ups Devean George, Derek Fisher, Horace Grant, and the son of Bill Walton, all coached by Phil Jackson - the Lakers are just going to overwhelm everyone. Sure, the Spurs are the defending champs, but O'Neal is pissed now. I do look for the T-Wolves to show dramatic improvement as well. Sacramento, their window is closing fast. Over in the East, well, it is still the East, so it doesn't matter.