In a position-by-position scouting report of the, it is determined that the off-season changes to bolster the Lakers? backcourt changed roles and caused chemistry problems.  Those problems, however, may be a thing of the past, as Kobe Bryant and Gary Payton turn it up a notch.

At the forward spot, Phil Jackson?s change to move Karl Malone into the post made it easier to feed Shaquille O?Neal from the wing.  Malone is 40 and slowing down, but hungry for that elusive championship.

In the middle, O?Neal seems more plugged in than he?s been in some time.  

Not good news for the Timberwolves of course, and Shaq is rediscovering his defensive dominance as well.  

He averaged 5 blocked shots in the Lakers four consecutive playoff victories to dispatch of the Spurs.