It's where you're known, not from, that counts most: TV's dream teams.(Know It All)

Sure, David Stern and the networks are prone to a case of the shakes whenever the Lakers trail in a playoff series--they root, root, root for teams that produce the biggest ratings. Stars, trophies, big-market pedigree ... by TV standards, the Lake Show is a certified dream team.

Nielsen logic suggests any entry from New York would merit that status also, because that's where 7 percent of America's sets are located. That isn't always the case. The programmers' list of favorites locks on to the usual subjects, teams that win with glamour. In that vein, TV sports' dream teams are exactly who you'd think they'd be. The other faves are a more interesting study.

 
Dream team 
 
NBA                     MLB                     NHL 
 
Shaq & Kobe             Viewers'                Mostly because 
Live! headlined         love/hate affair        Detroit tunes in 
this seasons            with Pinstripes         en masse. 
highest-rated           makes them              National puck 
games on ABC            perennially             ratings are so 
ESPN and TBS,           fashionable. The        small, they get a 
followed by the         Braves bring the        bump from 
Spurs. The              TBS audience            home markets, 
most-watched            wherever they           ESPN/ABC's 
team from the           go; the Giants          audience 
East is the             are the top West        peaked 1) when 
Cleveland               Coast draw for          the Rangers 
LeBrons. No one         ESPN's late             were champs, 
rates half as           games. ...