ESPN AND ABC SPORTS' NBA ANALYST TOM TOLBERT SAYS KINGS WILL BE CROWNED NBA CHAMPIONS

On the Lakers entering the playoffs without home court advantage:

"No one cares about the Lakers, do they? It's going to be rough playing teams like Dallas, Sacramento and San Antonio on the road, there's no question about it. The Lakers have proven they can win away from home before, but they haven't had to go through the entire playoff series without home court advantage. This is going to be their most difficult playoff run, but if they win they might not even show up until January next season...dig themselves a 0-20 hole for a real challenge. I'm not stupid enough to count them out."

On Michael Jordan's impact with the Wizards:

"He has brought recognition to the Wizards, when previously they were an afterthought. People actually know they are in the NBA now and are no longer named the Bullets. However, the Wizards are going to stink next year. They weren't good before he was there, weren't too good when he was there and won't be good after he leaves. I think he hates being associated with a team that can't win. He'll go back to the front office and attempt to bring in talent, but will need to show players the money to lure them into that franchise."

On the top impact postseason players:

"The Laker bench has to be considered one. Kobe and Shaq will do their thing, but when L.A. is at their best they have Robert Horry, Devean George and Brian Shaw making significant contributions. Chris Webber will need to step up his play for the Kings to win it all. They are so talented as a team, but Webber will be called on to make the clutch fourth quarter shots. The athleticism and energy of Stephen Jackson and Emanuel Ginobili will be two important factors to the Spurs success. In the East, can someone please give Tracy McGrady a little help? He can almost single handedly win a playoff series, but if they are to advance, the Magic will need Darrell Armstrong and Steven Hunter to play tough D and Pat Garrity will have to hit his looks at the basket."

On the close race for MVP:

"I hear the debate between Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady all the time. Everyone overlooks Shaquille O'Neal because of his dominance. There has never been a bigger gap in talent between the best player at his position and the second best. He is at the top and no one else is even in the same universe. Yes, he missed some games and all of those others are fantastic players, but I find it amusing Shaq isn't even mentioned. You can ask every G.M. in the game the one player they would want to build a championship team around and he would be picked by almost all of them."

On this year's championship prediction:

"I think this is Sacramento's year. They've lost to the Lakers three straight years, last season in the seventh game of the series, and they have the most talent in the league. In the East, I'm going with New Jersey (although my prediction changes daily). They've been there before and no top seed gets less respect than the Nets."


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