Shaq's toe is the only thing that can stop him in the West.

HOW BIG IS A BIG TOE?
Huge, if it's the surgically repaired right big toe of Shaquille O'Neal. Until Shaq is healed, Samaki Walker or Soumaila Samake will be the center, and there's no real need to foul either of them. But even with Shaq, a fourth straight title isn't guaranteed -- the Lakers didn't do much in the off-season while the rest of the West improved. Then again, if you had the last three titles, Phil and an older and stronger Kobe, you might stand pat too.

STARTING FIVE
All these years, and still no luck in the eternal search to find a thug at the 4 to pair with Shaq. They've managed before; somehow they'll manage again.

Pacific Division

1. Kings

2. Lakers

3. Clippers

4. Blazers

5. Sonics

6. Suns

7. Warriors

Scouting Report Index

Robert Horry, PF: Always a clutch performer on the big stage
Rick Fox, SF: Wife's a clutch performer on the big stage
Shaquille O'Neal, C: Most dominant player on any stage
Kobe Bryant, SG: 15 pounds of added muscle shows he won't be upstaged
Derek Fisher, PG: 2002 playoffs should have gotten him booted off stage

BENCH
Walker, Kareem Rush, Tracy Murray, Brian Shaw won't get quality stage time, but with Shaq and Kobe, they don't need to.

GLOBAL VIEW
Fox (Canada) first to play 200 games
for both Lakers and Celtics.

FREEWHEELIN' WITH WALTON
All questions have been answered -- except if LA's the best ever.

This article will appear in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.