Every LA fan knows 1 thing. You don't have 3 rings without Shaq. You can hate him all you want, but that's the bottom line. LA needs Shaq alot more then Shaq needs LA. There was no cancer. The cancer was Shaq and Kobe together. Kobe's legal trouble, Shaq's ego trouble. It just wasen't working anymore.
I do think the Lakers sign Kobe. I also think they are good enough to make the playoffs. (lets be real, Denver made it, with the talent the Lakers have, they will make it). But that's it, they aren't viable finals contenders.
It's still a rebuilding year. I think Jerry Buss is smart enough to see that, and don't be surprised if Grant and/or Butler are moved again, and Buss takes advantage of the 1st round pick with team looking to make cap room, like New Jersey or Cleveland.
I'm not a Lakers fan, I just enjoy watching them. (I'm a Bulls fan, we haven't had much to look foward to for a long time now. )
