Adding former Bull Horace Grant and Isaiah Rider to the team, Lakers fans were optimistic for another smooth run to the NBA Finals. Jackson had successfully tamed Dennis Rodman, transforming the former Detroit bad-boy into another cog in his well-oiled triangle offense that yielded six championships to the Bulls in the 1990s. Surely, he could handle Rider and tap the tremendous talent beneath his troubled past.

Unfortunately, the Zen master overestimated his abilities. Rodman, for all of his foibles and transgressions off the court, was a fierce competitor with an intense desire to win. But Rider is a spoiled wild child, unwilling to give up his ways for the good of the team. Needless to say, this distraction-along with the ongoing Shaq-Kobe feud-has proved costly, as the Lakers still seem to be searching for that chemistry of a year ago.

Portland and Sacramento have suffered similar fates. Jason Williams has apparently spent more time passing the bong than thrilling the crowd with his dizzying array of acrobatic assists. His behavior towards the fans has been less than stellar as well, as seen by his recent tirade of racial epithets at a Golden State fan.