Can Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers home again?(credit:
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The Los Angeles Lakers will go into the new NBA season as reigning champions and very much the team to beat once again according to bookmakers.
Kobe Bryant led America's most famous franchise to their first title since 2002 when crushing Orlando 4-1 and they are a top-priced 12/5 with Blue Square to repeat that feat this time around.
Ron Artest arrives from Houston to boost an already star-studded line-up and with the Western Conference looking short on major threats they are worthy favourites to go all the way.
The Lakers are, in fact, 10/11 with bet365 to make it through to the finals for the third straight year and the seventh time this Millennium, with only San Antonio and Denver seemingly standing in their way.
Tim Duncan and Co return for another crack with the Spurs, who are 12/1 with William Hill to take the title and 6/1 at Betfred to make the finals, but this team is not getting any younger.
The Nuggets went down fighting against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last year and should have a big campaign, though.
Chauncey Billups was a huge asset to this team last season with his great ball distribution and is a born leader.
Denver are 16/1 with Betfred to be crowned overall champions and 15/2 there to at least go one step further and make this season's deciding series.
However, it is over in the Eastern Conference where the big summer moves have been made in a bid to topple the Lakers this term.
LeBron James and Cleveland have proved they have the consistency to rack up big numbers in the regular season and now Shaquille O'Neal has been brought in to boost their play-off prospects.
The Cavaliers have come in for some shrewd support and are 15/4 at Blue Square to take overall top honours and 8/5 with bet365 to repeat their 2007 run to the finals.
Boston bagged a record 17th championship in 2008 and will again have the fearsome Kevin Garnett leading from the front.
The Celtics are 5/1 at best with Stan James to regain the outright crown and a stand-out 11/5 at sportingbet to take the Conference.
Orlando remain unfashionable despite last season's great run but star men Dwight Howard and Vince Carter helped them to a superb 8-0 stretch in pre-season.
The Magic can be backed at 5/1 with Ladbrokes to reach the finals again and 10/1 there to go one better and bag the title.