Lakers? Yes.

The title gives away the take-home point of this entry. Basically this: the Lakers are too good and have my vote for winning it all, still. Why? I'll offer up criticism that doubters have lobbed at the Lakers, then refute it.

1) People say they look bored and might not flip the switch. A listless Lakers squad will lose homecourt in a series and before they know it, they'll be down 3-1 and it'll be too late to climb back. I disagree with this for two reasons:

First, The Lakers look bored out there because, frankly, they are. They field a team that is significantly better than 99% of teams in the league (only the Magic have a comparable star-studded starting roster). They can destroy any team on a given night. But they don't need to. After getting that cushy lead in the Western Conference standings, they could afford to take games off and rest players. An 82-game season is long, long, long and it's smart to hedge your bets and save those legs for the playoffs. I have no doubt that's what the Lakers did.

And second, you mean to tell me that Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol can't turn it on in the playoffs? Puh-lease. Those guys, as much as I hate to admit it, are bonafide studs and will do just that. See their track record, por favor.

2) Another complaint is that the bench is too weak. Sure, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, and Luke Walton don't exactly strike fear into the hearts of opponents. But the beauty of playoff basketball is the shortened rotation. Coaches are notorious for cutting out the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th guys from playing rotations. Keep it small so chemistry and teamwork stays at a maximum. Right here is the reason why Lakers took games off; they have the fresh legs to implement that shortened rotation. All of a sudden Jordan Farmar and his giant ears can stay on the bench, where they belong.

3) A third complaint is pointed squarely at Derrick Fisher. The 500-year old veteran is a defensive sieve at this point. Russel Westbrook totally and completely exposed and eviscerated him in that Thunder series. But this will hardly matter. Fisher is out there for veteran experience and crunch time scoring. Remember that huge three over Nelson last year in the finals? Yeah, that's why he's there. Getting beat off the dribble is never something a team wants to see, but Fisher is fortunate in that all four other guys on the court are way, way above average at providing help defense. Sure you got by Fisher, but then you have to worry about two skilled, seven-foot shot blockers prowling the paint like hungry dogs. Good luck with that.

Honestly, I can't see anyone hanging with the Lakers. A clicking triangle offense, with constant cutting, crisp passing, and great spacing is nearly impossible to defend. It's too adaptable, deadly, and chalk-full of options. Throw in a well-coached squad that knows how to execute it. Then, mix in the best Shooting Guard alive in Bryant, the best Power Forward in the league in Gasol, a one-on-one defensive maestro in Artest, and two super athletic big men in Odom and Bynum. What do you get?

Your 2009-2010 NBA champs. Count it.