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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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• Rankings: Where does Steve Nash fit with the greatest point guards of all time?

Shaquille O'Neal might not mind spending a winter in Cleveland if it means playing with LeBron James, but perhaps the lure of trading financial security for a chance to wait and see if the same opportunity would present itself in New York a year from now didn't sound so enticing to Steve Nash. Or maybe the fan base in Arizona -- not to mention Grant Hill -- makes him feel all kinds of young.

With news that Nash will remain with the Suns for at least the next three seasons after signing a contract extension, SportsNation is sure the guard's championship window has closed. That might not have been the case had he followed a similar path after the 2003-04 season with the Mavericks , but two MVP awards aren't bad consolation prizes.

• Most of the 'Nation predicts Nash wins more than Mike D'Antoni the next three seasons.
• Nearly three out of four voters think Nash's legacy will top Dirk Nowitzki's.
• An even heftier percentage thinks he has more left than Jason Kidd.
• SportsNation Groups: Phoenix Suns fans | NBA Fanz Only | Dirk's Posse

“

You often have to wonder, what is the price tag for giving up your dream. For Steve Nash we know it is now $11 million. (The Price to not pursue a NBA Ring). I don't fault Steve at all. I would take the money in a heartbeat and not think twice. But this is sad that such a great pg who had a fantastic 4 year stretch, will never get that 1 goal that all players seek.

” -- Vikomnla

“

I love the suns and Nash but this was a ridiculous decision. The fans in PHX will love it but they are not even close to contenders for a ring. Hey, maybe they'll keep making money and keep the franchise afloat but 22 mill is alot for a 35 year old PG who doesn't play D and has had a bad back for 3 years.

” -- xjrobx

• 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

• Vote: What's the impact of all the big trades in the NBA this week?

We'll get back to the actual draft selections in a bit, but frankly, aside from new Timberwolves general manager David Kahn putting Matt Millen and Jon Gruden to shame by stockpiling people who play the same position in a matter of mere minutes, the week's real drama involved players who long since had their moment on the podium with David Stern.

We're talking trades -- and not just mentally talking, as Shaq seems to prefer.

Vince Carter is in Orlando, Richard Jefferson is in San Antonio, Shaquille O'Neal is in Cleveland and Thabo Sefolosha is in Oklahoma City. And if you don't think that last one matters, you've obviously never listened to anyone with an Oklahoma accent.

• A 'Nation of one? Florida almost alone in thinking more of Carter than Shaq.
• Chat wrap: See what Stepehn Curry, Ricky Rubio and others told SportsNation.
• Fan groups: Cleveland Cavaliers fans | Orlando Magic Hoops | San Antonio Spurs

“

I have a feeling [the Magic] aint bringing back turkoglu now.with the money that howard,carter,and lewis are making,I cant imagine them giving him the kind of money he thought he was going to get last week.

” -- nspe33

“

Get ready, Cleveland. [Shaq] willl be fat and out of shape when camp starts, he'll have to play himself into shape, and he'll be injured the first 1 - 1 1/2 months of the season. Just like every other team he has ever played for! Bank it!

” -- THEBOOTGUY

• Vote: Who is the leader in Kobe and Shaq's race to hoops immortality?

Much like his favorite philosopher, Aristotle, Shaquille O'Neal hasn't had much need for winter outerwear while making a name for himself in warm climates. But to answer one of the key questions of human existence -- whether or not he's better than Kobe Bryant -- he'll have to break out the mittens and scarves. Winter in Cleveland; it's fantastic!

The trade that will send Shaq to the shores of Lake Erie for a second-round pick and nearly 14 feet of expiring contracts isn't finalized (presumably still checking for Ben Wallace's pulse ... Update: Good news for the Cavs and Wallace; the deal was finalized Thursday), but SportsNation likes the idea of Shaq adding LeBron to a trophy case of partners that includes Kobe and Dwyane Wade (and Penny Hardaway, but nobody's perfect).

• In the hours before details of the trade became clear, two out of three voters were already saying the big guy is a good fit for the Cavaliers.
• It's still early (especially on the left coast, where we pity those awake enough to vote), but Shaq's move is creating a Rocky Mountain schism when it comes to the defending champion Lakers or the new-look Cavaliers as the favorite next season.
• But when it comes to whether or not Shaq's relocation is a bigger deal than the United States beating Spain in soccer -- It's the (original) world's game all the way.

“

Let's not forget, Shaq is much older, prone to injury and fatigue these days. He is unstoppable at times still but night in night out he's consistent. It's not like he's a defensive force anymore. He's still an immovable object though. I think he will help slightly. But it will take some growing time, even though he knows he has to defer to LeBron.

” -- ACT1v1

“

All LeBron has to do is get Shaq to the playoffs. Shaq will get LeBron a ring. Shag could possibly get 3 more rings before he decides to call it quits. He could go to Dallas and get Dirk a ring after the Cav let him go. As long as they let Shaq bull his way in to the lane there is always a chance for him to win another championship

” -- BigVilFromWestPhil