Unlike the Lakers, the Mavericks new additions, Darren Collison and Elton Brand, meshed well with their new team. Veterans Vince Carter and Shawn Marion filled in nicely for Dirk Nowitzki, each scoring 11 points. Dirk should be out for about 6 more weeks after his knee procedure went smoothly a few weeks ago. In his absence, the Mavericks will use a team approach with rookie Jae Crowder seeing time in Nowitzki's place. _500.jpg)
Back to the Lake show. The new Laker's motion offense better involve more time for Steve Nash with the ball. Nash had only 7 points and 4 assists in 34 minutes of play. In Phoenix, Nash always had control of the ball which is why he was so dominant. It should be interesting to see what adjustments L.A. makes to give Nash more freedom to run the offense. On a bad foot Kobe Bryant had 22 points and he should get better as the season progresses. Kobe's shooting numbers should increase with more attention on Nash and Howard. 
The biggest expectations though come from the addition of the top center in the league, Dwight Howard. Everyone that works in the NBA business has already crowned the Lakers Western Conference Champions. Next they've set them a date with Miami in the Finals. With this talent, who could think otherwise. When LeBron left for South Beach the same expectations were created only to be let down in a Finals loss to the same Mavericks. So you ask, what should we expect?
Your expectations should be that this Lakers team will win its 17th NBA title in Los Angeles. Why? I see two major differences in this team. First, is the big man presence that Howard brings that Miami has always lacked. Last night, the Lakers best player was indeed Pau Gasol, 23 points 13 rebounds, who is an All-Star that will see more open looks than any All-Star in NBA history. Pau can match up with Chris Bosh inside with Dwight free to defend the paint against James and Wade slashing to the basket. Not only will Dwight be key defending the paint but should be dominating against the Heat down low.
Finally, I believe the Lakers will win the title, unlike the Heat, because of the differences between LeBron and Kobe. While LeBron might be showing more will to win, everyone knows the greatest competitor in the league is Kobe. When that Heat team reached the 2010 Finals, Lebron faded away as he choked away the Title to an under matched Mavs team. If Kobe Bryant every disappears in an NBA Finals, well he won't, it's that simple. So yes indeed, there might be some early season problems meshing together but come May and June expect the Lakers to live up to expectations and win the NBA title.
