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You better recognize these Lakers

By Scott Howard-Cooper
Special to ESPN.com

Thursday, December 4, 2003

Admit it. The Los Angeles Lakers can be hated, but also congratulated. They can be the bully center, the busted guard and the smug coach, but also impressive. They must be acknowledged. Being the champion of November means a grand total of absolutely nothing, but being 16-3 and winners of eight in a row and 11 of 12 after beating Dallas on Thursday means everything in context. They were supposed to be divided. (Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, at odds.) They were supposed to need time. (K ...

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