If you want the truth about this upcoming NBA season, who better to "Let the Truth Be Told" than the esteemed analysts at TNT? We caught up with studio host Ernie Johnson, analysts Kenny Smith, Steve Kerr and Barkley and TNT's No. 1 play-by-play man, Marv Albert to get the skinny on 2004-05. From Shaq to 'Sheed, from LeBron to the unsung offseason acquisition, there isn't a topic from which the TNT guys shied away.

"I think that he is going to be so motivated. Just from reading some of his comments, his lashing back this summer -- which may not be appreciated by the Lakers -- but I think he's just showing how competitive and motivated that he'll be coming into the season.

"I still think there are some questions regarding Miami because they made a trade that sent key players away. But with Shaq, if he stays healthy and is in condition, I would think they would be co-favorites to go to the Eastern Conference finals with a couple of other teams."

"He is in great shape. Well, I think Miami or Detroit are the best teams in the East. Indiana will be solid and Miami will be right there. Shaq will always be good.

"I didn't think there was anything wrong with Shaq last year."

"I don't think his dominance has diminished very much. The results the Lakers had, I understand, weren't what they wanted but there's still nobody who has what he has.

"Obviously, he's focused. Obviously, he wants to make it, 'Look at the mistake you made and look what I did for this team.' So, yes, he'll really be driven. His dominance will not be a question."

"I think he has every motivation to return to that level. From what I have heard and from what I have seen on TV, he looks like he is in phenomenal shape.

"I think, at times, the best motivator for a player is change of scenery. When you get traded, you feel slighted as a player, especially a player like Shaquille O'Neal. I think he's going to be motivated. I think he's going to have a great year and I think he's going to turn Miami into championship-caliber team."

"I'll wait to see how great of shape that he's in. I mean, what would be the incentive to be in great shape this year?

"He's always had the chance to be the most dominant player in the NBA. I've heard before he was in different types of shape. Shape and weight are different things. I think the weight bothers him more than anything. There are certain guys who are heavy, but are in shape. They can carry it.

"I think with Shaq that being the player he wants to be -- he'll always be a top three player no matter what shape he comes in. And to be the type of player he wants to be, I think it's a matter of losing weight so he doesn't get injured."