The Lakers are unstoppable

It’s pretty scary to say a team is going to win the NBA title only 21 games into its season. Especially when there is some tough competition in the Western Conference.

The Lakers (18-3) improved to a perfect 12-0 at home on the season when they defeated the New York Knicks, 98-90, on Tuesday. With the win, LA, which has also won 10 in a row, extended its home winning streak to 27 games, dating back to last season. The Lakers are three victories shy of the club record for consecutive victories at home. They ran off 30 straight wins as the host twice, both while the team called Minneapolis home, with the last time coming during the 1950-51 campaign.

The "Big Four" continued to carry the Lakers on Tuesday, as Kobe Bryant posted 21 points and nine assists, Shaquille O’Neal registered 18 points and 15 rebounds, Karl Malone chipped in 20 points and Gary Payton netted 17 in the victory.

"I thought that we played a really solid second half," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after the win over New York. "We had a little trouble converting and shooting the ball. A lot of guys were hesitant about shooting the ball and we managed to sustain that lead even though it wasn’t a comfortable one."

I know the fans in Sacramento, San Antonio and Dallas are not going to like this, but the Lakers look unstoppable. And I am not saying that based on a win over New York.

Please note, the Lakers have already defeated Dallas and San Antonio twice this season, and also knocked off the Pistons and Pacers.

Malone, 40, and the 35-year-old Payton, both of whom signed as free agents with LA in the offseason, came to the right place to win their first NBA championship. The two veterans have fit in well with Shaq and Kobe and both seem to understand what is needed of them in order for LA to win.

When Malone left Utah after 18 seasons with the Jazz and signed with the Lakers, questions as to whether he would be able to adapt to a reduced role arose. Obviously, he didn’t go to LA for the money. It was about winning.

With Utah, Malone had been to the NBA Finals twice, losing both times to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games. The Jazz were ready to rebuild and Malone was ready to get a ring. That’s why he signed with the Lakers. As long as a championship is in his destiny, Malone will accept whatever role is cast upon him.

To put it simply, Malone will do whatever it takes to win and the same can be said about Payton, who has appeared just once in an NBA championship round. The former Sonic and Buck, like Malone, also fell to Jordan and the Bulls while playing for Seattle.

Payton has brought his tenacious defense, point guard skills and leadership to LA. He is an unselfish player and is the perfect complement to his new superstar teammates.

The supporting cast consists of forwards Devean George and Stanislav Medvedenko, and guards Derek Fisher and Bryon Russell. The four are providing some scoring and defense, which is needed because it would be tough for Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton to beat any NBA team with just four players.

Read between the lines when it comes to the "supporting cast" on the Lakers. They are just there.

We all know what Shaq and Kobe, who despite his on-going legal problems leads the Lakers in scoring (21.8 ppg), give the Lakers. Add two future Hall of Famers with skill, leadership, court savvy and a desire to win a championship and what else can one say but, wow!

As long as Shaq and Kobe can keep the peace, and Bryant can stay on the basketball court, another parade in LA is in the near future.