The NBA's decision to allow zone defenses next year may have been aimed at Shaq, but it won't take much toll on him. Zone defenses stifle teams that dump the ball inside and then wait. But the Lakers—Shaq included—pass the ball beautifully. If a zone collapses on him, he can pop the ball out to Kobe or to point guard Derek Fisher, both superb shooters. Nor will the retirement of Laker veterans significantly damage the team. The L.A. sidekicks include fossils such as Ron Harper, Horace Grant, Brian Shaw, and Greg Foster. Their experience has steadied the Lakers, but it's no longer essential. Shaq and Kobe will soon own two championship rings, as will Fisher, and they now know how to play under pressure. The Lakers could recruit two playground ballers to join those three starters and still win.