Having been pushed to their limit and beyond and having survived Kobe Bryant's sick stomach, Shaquille O'Neal's sore ankles and big toe and their collective hurt feelings, the Lakers can now get back to their natural state.

They are back in the role of invincible bullies, presumed to kick sand in the faces of the Nets, the latest surprise challenger from the East.

This could be the Nets' best chance: catching the Lakers with sprained shoulders from patting themselves on the back after finally beating the Kings in seven games, including the first Game 7 in a conference championship series to go overtime.

"I think the Nets are a terrific team," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, careful not confuse them for the Pacers or 76ers, the Lakers' previous NBA Finals victims. "They play team basketball. It's pleasing to watch. It's aesthetically pleasing to watch them. They play with a lot of emotion and moxie, and we had two tough, rugged games against them, one without Shaq.

"But we felt confident that the winner of the Western Conference is going to win the championship, and we still believe it."