We've seen this all from Jackson, many times. It's as if mere victory grows tiresome.

If it all works out in the end, then Jackson upgrades from Mensa from Montana to sheer genius and we're all left to marvel at the brilliance of it all.

Or, perhaps Jackson recognizes what the standings have yet to show: that, for now, the Lakers are not good enough, need a kick in the ego, can't accept standing in the middle of the pack in defense, have to find more in reserve of Bryant than just Pau Gasol, because Gasol has yet to pass the tough-enough test.

Yet even if the Lakers lack the harmony the Celtics have achieved, there remains a greater issue to a potential Celtics-Lakers II:

Will either or both even get to the Finals?

The irony is that a Celtics team that was taken the maximum seven games in each of last season's opening series might have an even tougher road this time.

Line up the top current contenders, and after the conference leaders it's Cleveland and Orlando.

Still, the task might not be as overwhelming as it appears, if, and this is a huge if, Boston holds off Cleveland for the top seed in the East. In that case, Boston could assure itself of a meeting with the Cavaliers or Magic (the East's other dominant contender) no earlier that the Eastern Conference finals.

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From a No. 2 seed, however, it could mean either Orlando or Cleveland in the second round for the Celtics and then the remaining team in the East finals. And that would be a tougher course than even the Atlanta-Cleveland-Detroit gauntlet Boston faced in going through 20 playoff games before last season's 4-2 over the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Without question, Cleveland is better than last season, far better.

How much better? When it comes to the aforementioned dominance in margin of victory, the Celtics and Lakers merely rank Nos. 2 and 3. The Cavaliers are No. 1. Ditto for Cleveland's defensive standing.

By contrast, there are no clear-cut challengers in the West. Oh, there is a depth of quality, certainly more than in the East. But there also are plenty of teams who would enter the postseason satisfied with merely winning a series or two. You can put the Nuggets, Blazers, and, likely, at this point, the Suns in that group.

Then there is the question of health with the Rockets, age with the Spurs and depth of talent with the Jazz. And for all of last season's optimism, the Hornets just don't seem like a clear No. 2 this season.

At Christmas, Lakers and Celtics again stand at center stage.

But in May or, more importantly, June, the issue of a Finals repeat likely will have come down to the rigors the Celtics were forced to withstand in the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals, and whether Phil Jackson's mind games steeled the Lakers or merely eroded the spirit of a team that certainly seemed well positioned for enduring success.

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