Tim Legler, ESPN

Two of those teams meet Sunday when the Lakers take on the Mavericks (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Pau Gasol and Jason Kidd are still getting comfortable with their new teammates, but the early returns have been impressive. One of them, Gasol, has elevated his team to the top of the West while the other, Kidd, has given the Mavs an element of toughness and leadership that Avery Johnson hopes will prevent the type of meltdown that has ended the past two seasons.

For the Lakers, Gasol has been nothing short of sensational. Although he has averaged 22 pts. and 10 reb. through 10 games, his numbers are not reflective of his true impact. He has been a perfect complement to Kobe Bryant in the triangle offense. He can post up, face up, pass out of double teams and run the floor as well as any big man in the game. In Memphis, Gasol was lost in the shadows of the West’s elite, just good enough to be swept three consecutive years in the first round of the playoffs. In L.A., he has elevated the talent level and versatility of the Lakers to the point where they are the most complete offensive team in the NBA.

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