The Lakers have been in the Finals the past 3 seasons. They are back to back champions, primed to 3-peat.

The Celtics were in the Finals 2 out of 3 seasons with 1 championship. Getting old, but still there.

Orlando is still a solid team worthy of making the Finals like in 2009.

The Miami Heat became juggernauts overnight. Anything less than the Finals will be a disappointment to them.

Then there's always the competitive 'run for your money' teams like the Mavs, Nuggets, Bulls, Spurs, Blazers, Hawks, Thunder...better luck next year guys (or perhaps in 5 years).

...With all that said, I've come to the conclusion that through this 3 year competition of trying to build the ultimate 'Superteam', these NBA executives intentionally/unintentionally just created a monster never before seen in NBA History. We are about to witness the single greatest team of all time.

The 2010-2011 Los Angeles Lakers.

* = Unsigned

(Stole this chart from you Dex, hope you dont mind.)

Lets look at the situation:

3-Peats are really extraordinary. They are so difficult to accomplish considering you have to win 2 championships in a row to get to that point and then be HIGHLY motivated to get that 3rd..and yet, here we are, back to back champions..going for a 3rd straight.

Kobe Bryant is on fire. He has 5 championships. 1 more to go to tie the 'G.O.A.T'. He knows it, he wants it. Still in his prime and armed with the deepest, most talented team he's ever played with (Thanks to Mitch). He is motivated to complete his 2nd 3-peat, tie Jordan, and still be only 33 yrs old, with 3-5 years left at the top of his game. We all know what happens when Black Mamba is motivated.

Phil Jackson will be coaching his final season in what has been a legendary career. Win or lose, This will be it for him. Phil knows it, Kobe knows it, you know that Kobe and Phil will make sure everyone on the team knows it, and doesn't forget it. Not even for a moment. 4 - 3peats in a single career? Are you kidding me? Phil wants this, or else he would've retired already. Kobe wants this for Phil, and wants his own 2nd 3-peat. Mitch wants this for Lakers History, and of-course for Phil.

There is no way the Lakers 3-peat with the same roster of last year, not with all the other teams gunning for them. So what does Mitch Kupchak do? He brings in the talent needed to GUARANTEE the Lakers 3-peat this year.

He gets Phil back, resigns Fisher, and brings in Blake, Barnes, Ratliff to upgrade the weak bench (which was still good enough to win the past 2 years). Can you say DEFENSE? Do you think he's trying to send some time of message to oh, I don't know...DEFEND the Championship at all costs?!?!

This is the best starting lineup and bench I've ever seen, on any of the previous championships from the most dominate franchise in the past decade.

Not only are the Lakers going to 3-peat (barring major injuries ofcourse), but they will beat the 72-10 regular season record and give Phil the ultimate retirement present, the 'cherry on top'...The Greatest Team ever.