The Lakers might have their troubles against the Grizzlies, Nuggets and especially the Bulls. But it is a safe bet they won't see any of those teams in the playoffs.

They still own the Kings and Mavericks, the teams they must beat. The Spurs still can't shake the memory of last season's humiliating sweep by the Lakers. The Timberwolves have never won a playoff series.

"There's nothing you can do," Shaquille O'Neal said. "It's like a bad headache. You accept two hours of (butt)-kicking, and then after it's over, it's over. Dallas is like that. Sacramento is like that. Minnesota is like that.

"When you're the best, everybody uses you as a measuring stick. Everybody wants to be your rival. My message to everybody is just, `Go play. Don't tell me what you're going to do in the paper.' That'll just wake me up. Every time."