The Suns completed one of the prime shows in the trade market thus far, the deal for Miami Heat center and ex-Lakers O’Neal some weeks back. A few years earlier, this desert team has been the archetype of a run and gun small ball basketball, an aspect of their play that will more or less be weakened to some extent by the dawdling Big Cactus. On the other hand, O’Neal deficiency in velocity compensated it up with his huge existence in the shaded lane. Shaq and the current biggie Amare Stoudemire congesting the middle, opposing teams encroachment in the lane at will against the Suns will decrease and in addition, the Desert Diesel carries a number of much-needed NBA title competition experience to the Phoenix roster.
While it is true that this Phoenix team need to execute this transaction is far much less necessitated in view of the fact that they have won majority of their games albeit their defeat at the hands of the significantly improved Lakers, O’Neal’s championship veteran knowledge will be essential against other Western Conference opponents. Phoenix has persistently struggled vis-à-vis the conference’s superior squads, and this was manifested by their defeats to Spurs and the young Hornets team in recent weeks. The Lakers trouncing of the Sun’s does not signal the inferiority of this team but the necessity of improving their defense to compliment their superior up tempo offense and not adding a slow and aging superstar.
The Lakers are tied the Suns for third place in the West standings after winning 6 consecutive games and seven of 8 ever since the Spanish power forward appearance in Staples Center. The importance of the latest Lakers-Suns game was that, it proves once and for all the emergence of LA as a dominant team in the West and a playoff contender once the young Bynum re-enter the scene. The strength of the Lakers lies on the filling up missing pieces in their line up and many thanks should be given to Mitch Kupchack and Phil Jacson. Hey Mitch, I am ready for the paddle!!!
Yes underage, the Lakers team is showing their dominance by defeating the Suns in their own game, the run and gun basketball, the irony of the defeat is that they are defeated by the laker team in all department of the game. At this juncture the Lakers have shown their capacity to defeat superior team like the Suns without Bynum, what more with the re-entry of the young fella.
I do said that the Big Cactus is aging & old because he is now past his prime. Yes he can still play the game but not enough to help the Suns be more dominant because at the present time, he is just an average big man and uncapable of dominating games like he used to. He can never regain his old self that is a fact and that he cannot deny.
Shaq is a big guy people and yes even at 36 years old it may seem like he is old. He has had a lot of problems with his toe and other injuries as well that has kept him sidelined most of the seasons since his last Championship. But keep in mind-he is Shaq-he does not need to play the whole game-just enough to make a statement.
I am a Laker fan -I grew up with the Lakers.
Kobe is leading this team perfectly.
He finally has grown up and developed some patience. Sharing and not being selfish. He is playing with the Team instead of making it all about him-Gee he should of done that when Shaq was around-oh well better late than never hunh?
I am a die hard Lakers fan. I am Filipino basketball enthusiast and love the game so much.
I am 28 years old male, studied and finish architecture at Mapua University here in the Philippines and presently practising my profession.
Go Lakers!!!!
