The Lakers this offseason, of course, have added Dwight Howard and Steve Nash and enough expectation to sag the shoulders of the real Superman. The Thunder has done nothing but grow up a little more after winning the Western Conference championship.

But, come on, the suddenly rebuilt Lakers are the Lakers again. They’re the Lakers. Surely, (Thunder coach Scott) Brooks, and the rest of the NBA, is ready to take a knee.

“They were a good team before,” Brooks said. “With Howard, he’s one of the best players in the league. … The league will have its work cut out. But you have to play the games. Nobody in this league is going to give anybody a game.”

Though respectful of them, Brooks clearly doesn’t fear the Lakers like the rest of us believe he should. Apparently that’s what happens when you’re good enough to run away from or simply leap over the rest of the Western Conference.

via Jeff Miller of The Orange County Register