SO NOW DO WE HEAR A ROAR FOR 4?

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

Yeah, so what have you done lately?

The Bulls did three-peats. Did a couple of them. Big deal. We want more. That's how we are. We want reason to believe four is on the horizon. And then, of course, five.

This championship run could all come tumbling down next year. Then again, it might serve as mere prelude to true legend.

You want to know how it might work out, so naturally, we have it covered. Both ways, in fact. So here are 12 reasons why there is no way Lakers win a fourth consecutive title next season, and five why they absolutely will.

Reasons to believe next season they're humbled:

--1. They're going to be too full of themselves.

They'll come back all fat and happy. They've made history. They've weathered all these storms. Aren't they just so marvelous.

Now they really think it doesn't matter how bored they are during the regular season, how frivolous their offseason. They can always come back and turn it on in the playoffs.

They lose their edge, and this time pay for it.

--2. The Big Dumper will come back 50 more pounds overweight.

Shaquille O'Neal is likely to have offseason surgery on his arthritic big toe, with means even if actually so inspired, he won't be able to work out hard in the offseason.

You thought he was overweight this season? Get ready for sumo-sized O'Neal.

--3. Phil Jackson elopes with Stevie Nicks, breaking the hearts of Shirley MacLaine and Jeanie Buss, and throwing the organization into chaos.

--4. The Sacramento Kings.

The Kings were a heartbeat from beating the Lakers this past postseason, anyway. They're young, they're confident and ready to take that last step.

The Kings grew up last season, particularly with Mike Bibby in the playoffs, and they're at that evolutionary point. They're on the up elevator, waving at the Lakers going down.

--5. Shaq calls it a career.

Already convinced he is the ``baddest big man ever,'' Shaquille stuns the Lakers by deciding to pursue his first professional love, and accepts a job as the Beverly Hills chief of police.

``I will dominate all evil-doers,'' Shaq says.

--6. Surprise, they're getting old.

You think Lakers and think of youthful Kobe Bryant. Think of Shaq as this playful, big kid.

But in truth, the Lakers are getting long in the tooth. Shaq is 30, and by the start of camp, Robert Horry will be 32 - and that's one old 32 - Rick Fox 33 and Brian Shaw 36.

--7. Tex Winter will retire.

Now who's going to shape Jackson up when he needs it?

--8. Jerry Buss still plays it on the cheap.

Despite the three-peat, an accomplishment that you would think almost mandates the Lakers spend more to retain their championship core, Buss refuses to pay a luxury tax over a still-projected salary cap.

Since they keep winning and keep drafting last, the only realistic hope of upgrading the team is by signing a significant free agent. This does not mean an aging player desperate enough to earn a ring that he signs at the minimum.

Sometimes (see: Mitch Richmond, Isaiah Rider) that doesn't work out.

--9. Fox won't return.

Offered the movie role of a lifetime, the lead in ``Pretty Boy Floyd,'' Fox decides he has enough rings and calls it a career.

--10. They won't be able to re-sign Devean George.

With Fox in Hollywood and George joining Tyronn Lue as a free agent with the Washington Wizards, the Lakers are left with humongous hole at small forward.

--11. The odds will catch up to them.

One of the Big Two will finally go down to injury before the playoffs. Even if Derek Fisher suffers a third foot stress fracture at the time, their depth is fragile enough that it could take them down.

--12. Jerry West.

Not sure how, exactly, but somehow with West in his new Memphis role, this just figures.

Reasons to schedule that 2003 parade right now:

--1. Shaq.

``I'm different,'' Shaq said. ``I'm not from this planet.''

We think he was kidding, but you know how hard it is to tell with Shaq. One thing is certain, he clearly remains the most dominant player in the game. This is the Shaq Era, we're all just living in it.

--2. Kobe Bryant.

Probably the best player in the game at creating his own shot. Has a tremendous will to win. Loves to play the game. Wants more.

--3. Red Auerbach.

Don't think for a second that Jackson won't thoroughly enjoy breaking Red's all-time record for championships won.

Cranky Old Man Red did the Lakers a favor by demeaning Jackson's coaching accomplishments. And if there is one permanent image that forever grates at the Lakers, it's Red lightin' up his stogie after victory.

--4. The Sacramento Kings.

See, they had to go and whine. Had to cry about losing. Had to make it like the Lakers really weren't better, that luck and the officials and the fates had all conspired to beat them.

All this has served to do is tick off the Lakers. They want to come back and put the upstarts in their place.

--5. Because they remain the best team in the league.

OK, that's covered it. Hope you enjoyed your offseason, Lakers, now get to work. We will be watching.