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The burning question for this week's LA Hot Button is: Will the Lakers make the playoffs? ESPNLA Now host Mark Willard provides his perspective.

With two huge games this Wednesday, our bloggers predict who will be in the NBA Finals, with the Thunder and Heat as prime suspects. And in LA, our bloggers predict who will win the Battle of LA, Lakers or Clippers.

Phil Jackson is in the news every day. Will he return to the NBA? What does he want? Where will he land? Would he run a good front office? Will he coach? Marc Stein and David Thorpe weigh in.

Colin Cowherd reacts to the news that Kobe Bryant is in a court battle to keep his mother from auctioning off memorabilia.

The Forum: Mark Willard and Arash Markazi discuss the moves the Lakers can make in light of their recent financial issues and stay competitive next season.

The Forum: Mark Willard and Arash Markazi debate whether the Lakers should offer Dwight Howard a max contract to return to Los Angeles.

The Forum: Mark Willard and Arash Markazi examine the Lakers' change in defensive philosophy as of late.

The Forum: Mark Willard and Arash Markazi debate whether the Lakers should focus more on their perimeter offense against the Spurs.

The Forum: Mark Willard and Arash Markazi debate whether Dwight Howard should be the future of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise.

Amin Elhassan (Insider) examines the 2013 free agent class, and wonders if Andrew Bynum is worth signing to a max contract.

Sam Bowie on the fragility of an NBA career.

J.A. Adande and Israel Gutierrez debate whether LeBron James has reached the level of Michael Jordan.

The LA Hot Button question of the week: Will we ever see a Kobe Bryant - LeBron James NBA Finals showdown? Dave Joseph provides his perspective.

With teams looking for ways to rest their players, is it time to rethink the NBA's 82-game schedule? J.A. Adande and Israel Gutierrez debate.

TrueHoop's Henry Abbott with CSKA Moscow assistant, and former Lakers assistant, Quin Snyder on how a team building exercise involving potatoes went terribly wrong.

Ramona Shelburne, Julie Foudy and Michele Steele discuss the recent coaching changes for the Los Angeles Lakers.