What hopes do all 16 teams have of hopping in the postseason driver's seat? Take a ride with NBA.com as we outline each team's Keys to Success.
MASTER KEY: Just who is the Master Key for the Lakers? Is it Zen Master Phil Jackson, reigning MVP
Shaquille O'Neal, or the reclusive
Kobe Bryant, a perennial All-Star and arguably the most talented player in the league? Despite Jackson's mind tricks, and moments of sheer brilliance by Kobe, center is the only position in which the Lakers are dominant every single night, and that's because of Shaq. Last year's MVP is once again putting up MVP numbers (28.7ppg, 12.7rpg) and whispers are turning into a roar for Shaq to win the honor again this season.
KEY STOPPER: Kobe is definitely the best one-on-one defender the Lakers have. Bryant's athleticism and ability allow him to guard the quickest the league has to offer. However, with the return of
Derek Fisher the Lakers regain their heart and soul. "D-Fish" is a hard-nosed defensive spark plug who is not afraid to take the charge and pressure the ball in the backcourt. Since his return from injury, Fisher is averaging a team-high 1.95 steals per game.
KEY IN THE KEY: Shaq Daddy, a.k.a. "King of the Key," is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game (8.8DR, 3.9OR) and has been compared to an 18-wheeler under the hoop. His strength, agility, and sheer body mass make him a force which can't be reckoned with down low -- he owns the low post outright and there aren't many players who can, or would, dispute it.
KEY DISTRIBUTOR: Although Kobe is currently leading the Lakers in assists (5.0 per game), there is no disputing that a healthy
Derek Fisher is the key to the Lakers' ball distribution. With Fisher out for most of the season, and
Ron Harper recovering from injury, Kobe filled in as best he could. But with Fisher back as starting point and driving the Lakers into the playoffs, his 4.4 apg will continue to rise, as will his stock as the Lakers' offensive catalyst.
 
KEY WIN, KEY VID: Although the Lakers have shown moments of brilliance against the league's best teams, their .best win this season came late in the year against playoff-bound Minnesota in which the Lakers did it all, but most importantly, they did it all as a team. Not only did they extend a season best winning streak to six games, but Shaq had an incredible 31 points and 12 rebounds, while Kobe added 30 points and 9 assists. And the team held Kevin Garnett to 15 points in a 119-102 victory as the Lakers started to reach their stride just in time for the postseason.
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KEY RESERVE: When the Lakers think "reserve", they look to
Robert Horry. An intricate piece of the 2001-2001 playoff team, and a consistent player, Horry can enter any game and have the versatility to fill in the holes. Whether it's a boost in D, a three-pointer, or grabbing a key rebound, Horry will contribute and play his role everytime.
KEY LONG-RANGE GUNNER: Although Bryant and Fisher can hit from downtown with the best of them, the key outside shooter for the Lakers is undeniably
Rick Fox. A specialist from way out, Fox is currently shooting 39.3% from beyond the arc, and Fox's 118 of 300 make him twice as productive as Kobe from outside. This season Fox put togther some moments of brilliance with strings of threes that carried the Lakers' offense.
KEY IMAGE
Dynamic Duo: If this dynamic duo can work together, they could once again lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals.
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KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE: In leading the Lakers to an undefeated 4-0 road trip in early April, Shaq garnered Player of the Week honors. O'Neal averaged 35.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, shot 61.4 percent from the field and 60.3 percent from the line while leading the Lakers in scoring and rebounding in each of the four games.
LITTLE-KNOWN KEY: The Lakers currently boast two players among the league's top 10 scorers in
Kobe Bryant(28.5) and
Shaquille O'Neal(28.7.) Since the NBA went to a four-division format in 1971-72, there have only been 18 sets of teammates to place in the top 10 in scoring. The last time the Lakers had two players achieve such a high level of play was 1971-72 when Gail Goodrich (25.9 ppg, 5th place) and Jerry West (25.8 ppg, 7th place) both cracked the top 10.
KEY NEWCOMER: Since coming to L.A. from Seattle,
Horace Grant has started all 77 games he played in this season, and is averaging 8.5 ppg and 7.1rpg. The 13-year NBA veteran and former All-Star, has been the perfect compliment to both Shaq and Phil in that he played with O'Neal in Orlando and played under Jackson in Chicago.
KEY TIDBIT: Shaq's first and middle names, Shaquille Rashaun, mean "Little Warrior" in Islam. The Lakers hope this "not-so-little" warrior, will lift them to their second NBA title in two years.
