Three's Company, or Four? NBA Teams Stock Stars for Playoff Runs

It's been the same story every season: a certain team injects their roster with an additional star player, the media jumps on the bandwagon and calls them contenders, and we are all reminded of the San Antonio Spurs' big three. 

It seems to be so common in the last few years—and quite frankly, it's blistering to my ears when rumors claim there's another danger being assembled in the Western Conference.

The biggest story of 2007 had to have occurred in the off-season, when the Boston Celtics reloaded with All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.  Along with Paul Pierce, the three were dubbed "The Boston Three Party" and "The Big Three" by the starving media and eager Celtics fans.

But what about four?

The last time we really witnessed a core of four stars on one team, it was the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers, adding veterans Karl Malone and Gary Payton to an already dominant duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.  That particular Lakers squad was on pace to win 66 games before Malone's injury (starting 20-5), and right before the end of December, the injury bug started biting.

This year, there are four teams in the NBA who could fit that mold.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who, sometime in April, should have a frontline of three players who are or nearly are seven feet tall, will be one of the scariest teams gearing for a top four spot in the playoffs.  Let's not ignore the facts: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are all capable of grabbing 10 rebounds on any given night, pairing 15-20 points with them.

We haven't seen a front three that massive and talented since Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird won championships for the Boston Celtics in the 80's.

With Kobe Bryant thrown into the pot, you can't help but think that the Lakers are just as mean as the 2004 Lakers.  Anyone can make an argument that, without those injuries to Malone, Shaq and Kobe, Los Angeles would have an extra 60-win season under their belt, along with another championship.

Combined stats: 73.5 PPG, 35.0 RPG, 13.3 APG 

Out in Arizona, another big four has developed before our eyes for the Phoenix Suns.  Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill and the newly-acquired Shaquille O'Neal may have all the tools for a run at the NBA championship.  As many have pointed out, it's a hit or miss for the Suns, who took a gamble by placing one of the largest players in the fastest offense in the NBA, but what if they find success in the second half of the season?  The "hit" I speak of will either be a grounder to first, or a grand slam, which is parallel to the difference between a pretender and a contender.

Combined stats: 69.6 PPG, 25.2 RPG, 17.5 APG

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