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Also seen at Celtics 17.
"Wow it's 7/02/09 and the Los Angeles Lakers have already been crowned champions!"
That was one of the first comments on Marc Stein's story two nights ago, breaking the Artest-to-LA news.
Unfortunately for the fanatics in Hollywood, that isn't the case. It isn't the case for the Boston Celtics, either—even if they are able to insert Rasheed Wallace into their already threatening frontcourt.
The Magic also aren't favorites, despite the recent addition of Vince Carter.
Nor Cleveland, even though they just patched up a hole in their game by acquiring Shaquille O'Neal.
San Antonio also will have to battle their way to the top, although they were the winners of last Thursday's NBA Draft, on top of trading for Richard Jefferson.
The Nuggets hope to build too. But that won't allow them to breeze through this season.
The fact is, the NBA is the best it's been in a while. While last season was certainly one to remember in itself, the league has already become, undoubtedly, more competitive. There are six teams, maybe more, that can hold their own against one another. Recent transactions have put them a notch above the rest of the Association, and although none of them amongst themselves are favorites, the six of them are the most likely to win a title as opposed to the other 24 teams in the NBA.
As if you hadn't guessed yet, the six are (in no particular order): the Lakers
We're going to send you the most entertaining Los Angeles Lakers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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