Lakers view Mavericks as "top flight competitor"

The Mavericks just barely made the playoffs last year. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last two years. Nevertheless, the Western Conference champions Los Angeles Lakers view the Mavs as a "top flight competitor."

Here's the first paragraph from a story that appeared in today's Los Angeles Times:

"The Lakers on Tuesday unveiled a ticket premium that will add as much as $55 to the cost of an admission to seven home games during the 2008-09 season against such top-flight competitors as the Celtics, Cavaliers and Mavericks."

A $35 ticket to the Lakers' March 15 game against the Mavs will cost $45 and a $260 ticket will be $315. Season ticket holders will not be subjected to the premium.