The NBA’s second season began last week. That’s right the playoffs are in full swing. Although it’s still the first round, you can already tell who the teams to beat are. The Lakers have come out of the gate screaming. Kobe Bryant had 49 points last night & completely took over the game against the Denver Nuggets when he needed to. His troops know they have a legitimate shot at the title this year & nobody on that team wants to be the reason they don’t win.

The San Antonio Spurs are using a combination of veteran moxie & home court advantage to take a two games to none lead over the revamped Phoenix Suns. The Suns better protect their home court this weekend or someone is going to have some serious explaining to do because they paid a very steep price to acquire Shaquille O’Neal & the sole reason they brought him to the desert is so they can hoist that championship trophy.

In the East it looks like there are three elite teams. The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers & the Detroit Pistons.  The Celtics look to be the class of that conference, but LeBron James is to tough to count out & Detroit has been there before & know how to win close games. But let’s be honest the Lakers & Celtics are on a collision course to meet in the NBA finals & with so much history between these the two storied franchises ratings would be through the roof.

Being from LA myself I am amazed at how fast the Lakers went from mediocre to contenders in a mere four months. It would also be extra special for Phil Jackson because he is one championship ring away from becoming the winningest coach in NBA history passing former Celtic great Red Auerbach and that would really steam the Boston faithful. So hold on & stay tuned it’s going to be a great and remember..........We are all witnesses.