On paper the Los Angeles Lakers look like a good bet to clinch their third consecutive NBA title, but history has shown us that the Lakers' journey to a second three-peat in 10 years will be anything but simple.
The Chicago Bulls and the Lakers are the only teams in the NBA who have ever successfully completed a three-peat since the Celtics' teams of the 60's, and even though numerous franchises have come close, none have achieved the feat.
The 2010-11 Lakers may have more depth and talent than at any other time during Phil Jackson's tenure, and Kobe Bryant should benefit from an offseason of rest to cure the variety of ailments he suffered last season.
The Western Conference is as strong as ever, but considering the manner in which the Lakers ran away with the conference the last three seasons, who really stands as a legitimate threat to their throne?
The Dallas Mavericks look just as good as the Lakers on paper, but have yet to find the mentality necessary to succeed in the postseason.
The San Antonio Spurs are always a threat, but the Lakers present a bevy of matchup problems and can counter the Spurs' depth with equal talent off the bench, and they may be a better team defensively as well.
Denver and Oklahoma City could also challenge the Lakers but both teams lack size in the paint, and it's doubtful either team's front line can stand up to the Lakers superior size during the course of a seven game series.
Other teams such as Portland and Utah could also make noise, but ultimately the Lakers are bigger, stronger, more talented, and more experienced than any team in the NBA. But all those superlatives do not necessarily equate to a championship.
Last season many people, myself included, felt the Lakers were talented enough to challenge the Chicago Bulls' regular season record of 72 wins, but that f...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
