Clash of the Titans

I've heard much talk on sports radio over recent months about the level of parity in particular professional leagues.
The hosts on these shows begin to banter about which leagues have the most level playing field amongst its teams, then they move on to discuss whether parity is really important.
My personal stance is that, to the fan of mediocre teams, parity is paramount.
If your team just missed the MLB wild card by a game and a half or finished as the eight seed in the NBA's eastern conference and got spanked by the Cavs, it's nice to think, "My guys might have a chance next year."
For everyone else, especially league officials, total parity is like "ending women's suffrage."
The phrase itself sounds better than the meaning of the words.
Total parity means that this year's champion might be terrible next year.
See 1997 or 2003 Marlins.
Total parity means that fans just get frustrated when their Super Bowl Raiders disappear for years afterwards.
Are their Angels fans anyhwere outside of California because of that title the Halos won in 2002?
Did anyone else even remember that the Angels won a World Series in 2002?
On the flip side, how many Celtics and Lakers fan exist outside of Massachusetts and California simply because of the 1980's?
Take me for example, I've only seen the United Center once in the seven days I've ever spent in Chicago, but I still cheer for the Bulls as much as possible because of the Jordan era.
I'll go a step further and say that I wouldn't even watch the NBA now if Jordan's Bulls hadn't erased the word parity from the NBA lexicon in the mid-90s.
All that said, the NBA is building to what I think may be the best NBA season in years because, for once, parity isn't happening.
The teams that are making the biggest moves are last season's contenders.
The Lakers decided, "what we need is a grumpy, lanky dude."
Thus, Ron Artest.
The Celtics said, "We'll see your grumpy, lanky dude, and raise you a scruffy beard."
Thus, Rasheed Wallace.
Questionably, the Magic gave up a little too much, but they picked up Vince Carter, and I can't wait to see Vince jump off Dwight Howard's back for a 360 through his legs.
Even the Cavaliers signed Shaq, which is a way better deal than a lot of people realize for situational and match-up reasons.
Basically, the Eastern conference power forwards, or fours, should start a support group.
Imagine yourself having to decide who to help, your small forward who's getting destroyed by the King or your most likely undersized center that's getting pushed around by the Big Aristotle.
Have fun with that.
Also don't forget that the Rockets and Blazers have been reloading, and D-Wade is forcing the Heat's hand on some moves in Miami.
The NBA was already gaining popularity, but I think this may be one of the most interesting eras we've ever seen in sports.
This is no one or two-team race, but this is also no NFL, where contenders change year-to-year.
What we're about to see is essentially an eight-or-nine team league of contenders that fill their schedules with 20 or so minor-league teams.
I mean, does anyone actually view the Bucks and Andrew Bogut as anywhere near the same level as Kobe and the Lakers?
Personally, I love this direction.
Why?
Because I think it sounds more exciting to see Shaq, LeBron, Kobe, Pau, and Ron Artest on the same court without All-Star jerseys on than it would be to see Michael Redd and those ugly green uniforms get swept out of the second round.