It is a little over 1/4 of the way through the season already and while it is still very early, some things are starting to take shape. 

So based on what you've seen so far, which of the following teams is most likely to make the playoffs at the end of this season? 

(In the spirit of the holiday season I decided to focus on the positive.  Perhaps after the new year there will be another poll asking which of the top 8 teams in the West is most likely to miss the playoffs.)

Playoff Race Fun Fact:  Miami is currently the 5th seed in the East with a record of 13-11 (.542).  That record would only earn them the 9th in the West and a lottery pick.

So tell us which of these teams will move up enough to make the playoffs this season?

During Sunday night's Lakers vs. Hawk's game FSWest broadcast short interviews with Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Pat Riley describing Elgin's retirement, the 33-game win streek and the first Laker championship in L A.  They followed that up by showing a Classic 1972 NBA Finals game - Lakers vs. Knicks.

I only watched a bit of it but it was fun seeing West & Chamberlain out on the court.  They look so different than even the 80's Lakers.  I was surprised to see a young Phil Jackson out on the floor playing for the Knicks.  (I keep forgetting that he has also won two rings as a player.)  

To me Jerry West, Pat Riley and even Elgin Baylor will ALWAYS be Lakers even though Riley is in Miami, West was in Memphis and Elgin ran the Clips for many long years.  But I realized that because Phil accomplished so much with the Bulls and Jordan that I still think of him as a Bull first.  However when you look at it, he has taken the Lakers to 6 NBA Finals and won 4 Championships.  So his Laker record is getting close to matching his Bull record.

(Disclaimer: I don't mean this post as a burn against Phil.  While noone is perfect, he is obviously a great coach and the Lakers are lucky to have him.)

So now on to the question. . .

OK, real simple question.  As the preseason starts, what is the greatest obsticale to Lakers repeating as champions in 2010?

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