The Lakers take the floor at the Honda Center in Anaheim in just about seven hours. For the first time since June, the Purple and Gold will grace the hardwood in a meaningful game.

Meaningful?

My point, exactly. This game shouldn't matter... But, to anyone that follows Lakers basketball, IT DOES.

Tonight's game had been marked on calendars since the preseason schedule was announced way back when, and I must say, this very well may be the most anticipated Lakers pre season game ever.

Bigger than last season, when nobody was sure if Kobe would even show up.

Bigger than 1996, when the duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant first saw light

Bigger than 2003, when Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O'Neal were all on the same damn team.

Why?

Because of all of the variables. Sure, coming off of a Finals appearance doesn't hurt, but the 2008-2009 Lakers are an open book of uncertainty. And, it's not necessarily even the bad type of uncertainty. Some of it revolves around finding a home for Lamar Odom (one of the league's most versatile players... when he feels like it), in the offense. Something that produces results regardless.

Some, however, is a little more serious. Questions like "Are Pau and AB going to mesh offensively?", "Will Andrew's knee hold up?", and "Is Josh Powell going to be a formidable replacement for the irreplaceable Ronny Turiaf?" have been asked all off-season and training camp long.

Well, today folks, some insight will be shed. Not speculation. Numbers, and pictures, and videos, and quotes.

Even though it's "juuust an exhibition...," heaps of ambiguity will be brought to a close.

Jazz @ Lakers, 7pm, TONIGHT.

Welcome back, basketball.