Kobe Bryant wasn?t the only one to get his wish when Shaquille O?Neal was sent packing for South Beach over the off-season.

 Fans of the NBA?s 30 teams minus the Lakers (and, well, okay, Bulls and Hornets fans, too) can count their lucky stars, as well, for Shaq?s departure from L.A. has arguably resulted in a more competitively balanced, fan-friendly Association this season.

 Granted, the Lakers have not won a title the last two seasons with both O?Neal and Bryant and had lost some of their luster since sweeping the New Jersey Nets in the ?02 Finals. But with O?Neal now in a Miami Heat uniform, the league?s field is as wide open as ever before.  

 As is the case in the National Football League on a yearly basis- a league that is commended for its league-wide parity- the NBA has no dominant team this season, which I would argue is a good thing.

 Sure, it?s nice to have a team that everyone despises and hence guns for every season, and Lord knows the Lakers have been the NBA?s version of the Evil Empire the last few years.  But at the same time, from a fan?s perspective, it is nice to know that your team may have a legitimate shot at winning a championship, especially if you?re a fan of a Western Conference team.

 Take, for example, teams such as the Seattle Sonics and Phoenix Suns.  While neither can be considered dominant despite their records thus far (Phoenix, at 13-3, sits atop the Pacific Division, while the 14-3 Sonics hold a three game lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Northwest Division), both have as good a shot as any Western rival of at least getting to the Finals.  More importantly, because of Shaq?s departure, Seattle and Phoenix, teams who rely on outside shooting and the fast break respectively, may very well be able to get by without a dominant big man in the low post.

 And then there are the usual Western powers Minnesota, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, teams who will have an easier road now that their nemesis has fallen from grace.  

 San Antonio (14-3), who may very well have won it all last season had Derek Fisher not performed the .4-second miracle, is likely the closest thing to a dominant team, while Minnesota (10-5) can never be counted out as long as Kevin Garnett is in the fold, and Sacramento (11-5), with a healthy Chris Webber, remain a perennial favorite and one of the league?s deeper teams.  Dallas (11-6), led by MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, is always a team to be reckoned with, especially now with the arrival of a legitimate big man on board in center Erick Dampier, the self-proclaimed second best center in the league behind O?Neal.

 Or could this perhaps be the year the 10-6 Los Angeles Clippers finally emerge from the shadows and live up to all of their youthful potential?

 If the West is considered to be up for grabs, then how would you describe the less-than-stellar Eastern Conference, which remains mediocre at best?

 While the conference has more than its fair share of pretenders, most notably the 2-11 Bulls, 2-13 Atlanta Hawks, 3-10 Charlotte Bobcats and 3-12 Nets, the East remains wide open and figures to be that way all season long.

 Defending champs Detroit (7-8) have struggled out of the gates, perhaps suffering somewhat from a title hangover, but who look to get back on track with the return of suspended center Ben Wallace.  Indiana (10-6), who has played admirably without their three top scorers in Jermaine O?Neal, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson, will nevertheless be hard pressed to contend for all the marbles this season.  

 Miami (11-6) has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league with Shaq and sophomore sensation Dwyane Wade, but can they be counted on come the post-season without a consistent third scoring option?  Despite all his greatness, is LeBron James perhaps too young to carry Cleveland (10-6) through the playoffs?  

 Orlando, who leads the Southeast division with a 10-5 record, is much improved, but let?s not forget that they were the league?s worst team a year ago.  Washington (9-5), a perennial Eastern doormat, has made some nice strides, as well, but are they ready for prime time?

 New York (8-7), Boston (7-8)and Toronto (7-11) all are fairly talented teams, but only one will likely make the playoffs, as all three play in the relatively weak Atlantic Division.  

 Lots of question marks, but nevertheless makes for some rather entertaining NBA basketball the rest of the season.