[llperez]

If Lakers resign Odom, they are the favorites to win the whole thing. Even if they don’t they are still in the disccusion because an improved Bynum will see more minutes and Artest can make up for some of the things they lose with Odom. Kobe is still the best in the league, and Gasol is in his prime.

Spurs would be second, but they have a lot of question marks for a team that lost in the first round. If Manu stays healthy and Jefferson has an impact that he failed to bring in Milwaukee, and Blair can contribute, then they have everything it takes to surround Duncan and TP for a title.

Nuggets, Blazers and Mavs are all in the same boat imo. Anyone of them could pull off the upset, but it would would be just that, an upset. And really don’t sleep on the Mavs. With Howard healthy and Matrix in the fold as well as Terry, kidd, and some improving bench players like Hollins, they now have talent around Dirk.

In the east, the Celtics are probably a very slight favorite over Orlando right now. I absolutley think Orlando has gotten better, but the Celtics have KG returning and that makes up for a lot.

Cleveland is still third. Their supposed great defense was exposed by the Magic. Shaq will help, but this not 2002. He can not take over games. Shaq, Z, and Verajao still does not exactly scare anybody. West, MoWill and AParker are solid, but this still comes down to whether or not Lebron can caryy them.

No one else in the east is in the serious discussion at this point.

My prediction: Lakers vs Celtics