Here are the intriguing questions for the upcoming NBA season:

1. Does Kobe finally win the NBA Championship without Shaq? Ariza finals MVP?

 2. Will Lebron James win the MVP?

3. Are Chris Paul's Hornets the real deal? James Posey ?

4. Can Greg Oden meet Bynum in the Western Conference Finals? Oden & Bynum overrated???

5. Can Artest get McGrady past the first round?

6. is Paul Pierce unstoppable? Will he get an Academy Award for all his drama?

7. Are the Lakers and Celtics meeting in the Finals again? Bulls make a run?

8. Are the Spurs , Mavs and Suns done?

9. What team that didn't make the playoffs in 08 - will go far in the playoffs? Portland, Warriors, Clippers, Bulls, Heat?

10. Will Odom make the All Star team? 

My picks with a "marketing" twist.  

1. Yankees - Whether you love them or hate them but you still watch them. Great logo with the NY.

2. Lakers - When you see purple and gold the first thing that comes to your mind is the Lakeshow. Just like the Yankees, the Lakers are a point of interest. Fans hate them or love them, but at the end of the day everyone cares about them.

3. Cowboys - NFL's muscles helps this team be popular. HBO is just the example, they signed the contract with the NFL but got the Cowboys. This team spends a lot of money in outreach/ PR

4. Chivas - ESPN reported that this team has the most fans in the world. Don't know.. I go for Pumas UNAM.

5. Boca Juniors - In South America they are the Yankees of futbol.

6. Dodgers - I was watching Dodgers Live and they love the Dodgers in the Caribbean. Great fan base in Baja California, Mexicali, Sinaloa, Sonora. Etc. Great marketing.. Think Blue is a great slogan.

7. Red Sox - Overrated. Small stadium... of course is sold out all the time.

8. Celtics - Only known in the US.

9. America - The most hated soccer club in the world.

10. Raiders - Halloween is coming, Raiders come to mind.

BTW, Arte Moreno is a marketing genius. I believe he owns many of the outdoor media/billboards. Angels only need world series and Arte will do the rest.

Synopsis:

Best Logo = Yankees

Best branding colors = Lakers

Best Slogan = Dodgers

Best PR team = Cowboys

My list is based on their play during the 90's - present

1. Shaq - Shaq won the MVP and the Championship. The most dominant player of his era. Made players around him better. We (Lakers fans) were fortunate to steal this guy from Orlando. Thank you West!

2. Kobe - Could become the greatest Laker of all time. He has four years to put his legacy on the line. When is all said and done.. He might end up with 5 titles, two MVP's... the question then would be... If Kobe would have won all 7 championships (Loss against Pistons & Celtics),  would he be consider better than MJ (6 Titles)?

3. Magic - He made couple of comebacks in the 90's and they were exciting. Unfortunately, he went from looking like a long PG to looking like baby Shaq. Magic put on ridiculous weight. The one play I'll never forget on his comeback was the fake he made on K. Malone on the driving layup. He made K. Malone look like a fool. Magic is the greatest player I had the chance to see. Just a thought, if Magic wouldn't retire early... does MJ have 6 rings? I doubt that...

4. Lamar Odom - This guy is an under achiever! He is very talented, but when is time... He is no Horry. 

5. Nick "The Quick" - Exciting player. I was at the Great Western Forum when he made the winning layup in overtime against the Pistons. Can't remember if Magic was coaching this team or Paul W???

6. Eddie Jones - Good player. Kobe came in and got all the attention. In the beginning they looked like twin brothers.

7. Cedric - The garbage man.. Good player during the dark days.

8. Horry - Big shots!.. thanks for the rings Rob.

9. Bynum - This season was outstanding. Exciting player with great mobility.

10. Sedale Threatt - I could put Elden, Rice, Fox, but Sedale carried the team during the dark days.

 "The Dark Days" = After Magic retired.