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Lakers fans are understandably excited about the new season, and the defending champs are a popular choice to repeat among bloggers in the ESPN.com community.

"I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport," blogs kurtnaphansen. "The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland and Artest to LA."

Below are fan blogs and predictions about the season, which tipped off this week. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging.

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It's a time for optimism in the NBA, where Anthony Randolph can get hearts fluttering in the Bay Area after tying a Las Vegas Summer League record with 42 points in a game (all right, not every heart). Heck, it's a time when even Knicks fans can shelve the cynicism for a few seconds, as SportsNation blogger allikskat does in making a case for a Big Apple revival.

And then there are the Lakers, who ought to be in the best mood of all.

Colin Cowherd and Kobe Bryant began their conversation on "The Herd" (click on the link on the left to hear the whole thing) by discussing the simple pleasures of parenthood. Then they moved on to Lamar Odom. At least, we think there's a separation between talking offspring and talking about a guy who sustains himself on candy.

After seeing Trevor Ariza and Hedo Turkoglu cash in on stellar postseason performances, it's no surprise Odom wants to cash in on his. But soon after the NBA Finals, SportsNation placed him a distant third to those two when it came to enhanced reputations. And when it came to Ariza or Odom remaining alongside Kobe, Odom was the consolation prize.

• Do the Lakers need Odom to repeat? The 'Nation is truly divided.
• More clear is Lamar Odom needs the Lakers more than they need him.
• Majority still thinks Odom ends up with the Lakers this season.
• Chat: Do the Lakers need Odom? Ask John Hollinger at 3 p.m. ET.

“

buss needs to just take the hit and consider it punishment for the other poor deals he's done. I remember during the finals celebration he was talking about doing whatever it took to keep the championship pieces in place.....doesn't look that way. Sure Odom is stalling but Buss isn't doing much better

” -- Deuces Take Two

“

Odom better wise up and sign for the $9 mill per season. I heard him crying about not being on the ESPN best "Free Agents". Wise up Lamar and re-sign. The Lakers are the team to beat for the next 5 years. Something special is brewing in LA.

” -- bleednd82

• From the defending champs to the defending lottery winner, rank all 30 teams.

NBA Insider David Thorpe breaks down the NBA's summer leagues in the video above, including a very un-Olowokandi debut for No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. (Did you know Griffin has a low waist? Neither did we.) But as much or as little as we gain from summer league numbers -- Roy Hibbert has looked downright adequate, for crying out loud -- the real summer league comes with general managers and agents dueling over draft picks, luxury tax implications and free-agent offers.

The most recent news came Monday with the Magic matching the Mavericks' hefty offer to Marcin Gortat. Yes, we live in a world where Marcin Gortat's whereabouts for the next five years are a big deal. Get used to it. More than 90 percent of SportsNation feels like $34 million over five years might be a tad excessive for Gortat, but that's not really the question. When it comes to whether the Magic needed to pay it, voters are entirely divided.

So with many of the offseason's major addition and subtractions in the books, what do your NBA Power Rankings look like?

• Rumors of Iverson to the Clippers? Voters prefer Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.
• Keeping Grant Hill and adding Channing Frye doesn't make Suns a contender.
• The Warriors lost Jamal Crawford but Stephen Curry in the draft, and SportsNation blogger -- and pained Warriors fan -- connorcuc thinks it's time for a coach interested in defense and a new mentality for a franchise stuck in neutral.
• Although they aren't among Allen Iverson's rumored potential landing places, SportsNation blogger allikskat wonders why teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks haven't shown any interest in the veteran.
• Groups: Orlando Magic Hoops | Warrior Hoops Nation | Dirk's Posse | Phoenix Suns fans

“

That premise might work if AI practiced with the team and could help Griffin in any way. He won't help or practice. Spending that kind of money for even 1yr. is a waste. They have enough wasted salaries as it is. They should get someone with a little character or desire who has enough talent to help. Not lead. AI will not lead. He is beyond that at this pt. in his career. When you practice with your team it is more about the act and not the effort.

” -- paulc1955

“

LOL! Cuban and the Mavs went all in with 3 kings (casting aside a very good and young foward in Bass) and the Magic waited until the last second to play 4 aces. Now the Mavs only legit big man is Dampier. Better get to work Cuban and find a quality big if you hope to secure a shot at the 8th seed in the playoffs.

” -- the_real_kman

NO. 4: SACRAMENTO KINGS
It seems there's some disagreement about what the Kings should do if a certain Spaniard is still on the board when the Kings pick at No. 4 (no, it's not Inigo Montoya). We'd say trouble in paradise, but this Sacramento we're talking about, after all. The good news is the bar is pretty low on making a good pick when the first-round picks of the last two decades include such luminaries as Pervis Ellison, Lionel Simmons, Bobby Hurley, Francisco Garcia and Quincy Douby.

• Ricky Rubio should be the pick if he's still available.
• Kings draft conversation | Fan groups: Sacramento Kings Fans!!!

“

Face it folks the this organization's future is up in the air bc of the arena issue. If the kings are going to stay in Sac then they have to at least be watchable. They can not afford to think whats best down the road. The only thing the kings can do to control their fate here in sac is to win now. (not the chanmpionship but atleast be competative)

” -- chonged500

NOS. 5, 6: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The draft marks the beginning of a new era in Timberwolves basketball. Then again, the first case of the bubonic plague in Europe marked the beginning of a new era, too. Whether or not it's a golden era will depend in no small part on the gamble the team took to load up on picks in what many feel isn't an especially strong draft. But if Al Jefferson comes back healthy and the Nos. 5 and 6 picks become the next Paul Pierce and Ray Allen ...

• Curry and Harden are the most popular picks if available.
• Forget moving up to No. 2 if it costs Nos. 5 and 18.
• Obtaining No. 5 pick was worth Mike Miller and Randy Foye.
• Taking over for Kevin McHale isn't career suicide, but it's not pretty.
• Wolves draft conversation | Fan groups: Minnesota Sports Fans

“

Evans/Curry, Evans/Rubio, Evans/Flynn and that's a backcourt with Love and Jefferson I will buy tickets to see. Please for the love of Rashad McCants stay away from DeRozan...

” -- n0tbradpitt

NO. 7: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors have embraced basketball's global spread in their recent drafts. Unfortunately, the globe was just going in for a handshake, leaving everyone standing around feeling awkward. Only three of the team's 10 first-round picks since 2000 have averaged double-digit points per game in their careers.

• California and the 'Nation disagrees on what to do if Jordan Hill is gone.
• Warriors draft conversation | Fan groups: Bay Area Sports Fans | Warrior Hoops Nation

“

Curry IS ready to contribute now, but only as a Jason Terry/Eddie House type of player, players that come off the bench for instant offense( the type of crap we already have). Just imagine a slow, unable to penetrate, below average point guard like Curry leading the fast break that we have become famous for.

” -- Rumpelstilskin07