---

By J.K. O'Brien

Invasion of the Talent Snatchers. Superstar Wars. Have Game Will Travel (West). Whatever you want to call it, the balance of power in the NBA has become almost as ridiculous as the plot of a bad 'B' movie. Not only did the West have all the great teams last year, they've now gone and one upped themselves, by bringing in Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, Brad Miller, and not to mention Ray Allen earlier in the season, taking four more All Stars from the Eastern Conference, relegating that half of the league to a painfully low level of talent.

If that balance of power from East to West wasn't bad enough, we have also entered another era of 'Uberteams' not seen since the early to mid-eighties when Boston, L.A., and sometimes Philly and Houston rag dolled the rest of the league into submission.

Dallas aquiring Walker? C'mon, do they really need another three point shooter? The answer is "Yes," with a heavy dose of "Why the hell not?" Nick van Exel stepped up in last season's playoffs for the Mavs because he was able to create opportunities for himself when the big three couldn't. Adding someone like Walker, a pure scorer who can play point forward and rebound, will lessen the burden on other Mavs, and minimize the loss of a pure scorer such as Van Exel. Finley, Nash and Nowitzki looked very tired at times deep into last years playoffs and having another inside-outside scorer and rebounder (not to mention that other Antawn they picked up) will make them a championship-caliber team. People may argue that they will miss Laftentz's shot blocking and size, but Raef wasn't a huge factor for the Mavs on either end of the floor on most nights and was often found floating around the arc. Raef might have a good stint in Boston and Jiri Welsh may have a big up-side, but that is tomorrow, not today. As for 2003-04, Dallas gave up very little and made huge steps towards a championship - which a few months ago seemed like it automatically belonged to Los Angeles. If Walker doesn't mesh with the Mavs - although it is quite hard to picture a gunner not fitting in down there - Mark Cuban now has more than enough trade bait to snare a top big man, if such a thing exist anywhere outside of Houston or L.A.

The Lakers are setting the pace with four Hall of Famers running things, but age is an issue and with Kobe's situation (not to mention his rehabbed knee), and Shaq's fitness (the big man ran out of steam a lot last year), the Mavericks should definitely be considered contenders.

Minnesota is legit. KG is in his prime and hungry to prove he's the league's MVP. Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell know all about stepping up in big games. Michael Olowokandi has something to prove, and Wally Szczerbiak could have a huge year with defenses no longer focusing on him as the number two threat. This team would be a favorite almost any other year, and still has a very good chance of winning this year.

Sacramento, arguably the league's best team over the last two years upgraded at the center position, and if they can carry their hunger over for a third run at the crown, a championship is possible. The danger is another injury to Chris Webber - if he goes down, so too do the Kings.

And then we have the Spurs, not as top-heavy in talent, but they do have the rings and Tim Duncan, which always gives them a shot. The Suns and Rockets are the future, but if Yao and Amare really step up this season to compliment the scoring of Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury, upsets over the favorites above are possible. Portland may sneak into the playoffs yet again (no small feat in this conference by any means) but realistically, they'll probably be gone early.

Will the Walker trade take Dallas to the top? There is a possibility, but with Shaq and the Mailman having their way inside and GP posting up Steve Nash, it is going to take a team effort for Dallas to win a playoff series against the Lakers. A lot has to go right for a team to win with a small lineup. Fortunately for the Mavs, the Lakers have plenty of question marks of their own, and anything can happen on and off the court, and if it does a dark horse like Minnesota could sneak past everyone.

The trade did not make Dallas absolute favorites to win it all, but it made them better contenders. Bring on the season.