The Lakers are the most potent offensive team in the league, no doubt. They also are very deep. Barring an injury to Kobe it would be a big surprise if they don't have the best record in the West, with probably only Boston (if they stay healthy) threatening top overall record. That said, reason the Lakers lost both their last finals appearances is the met a better defensive team and more confident together team once the going gets tough. I do believe their defensive stats so far are a mirage, only 2 road games and those were against sucky teams. I would say the Celts, Rockets, and Hornets have the ingredients to beat them in playoff style ball. The potential to slow it down and play really strong collective defense, and deliberate, efficient, half court offense. Utah, forget it, they are too slow as a team and the Lakers' offensive will again chew through them like butter. Don't worry about the last game. The Rockets don't have Battier (really important against the Lakers--high % off the ball shooter and wing defender), and Yao, Tmac & Alston are all offensively way under-performing. This Rocket team is maybe at 50% of its potential, the Lakers are at 95%--with basically no new significant player and only having to tinker with minor rotation changes.
