Lately, I've been trying to shy away from the post-game posts. It seems like some of them just lack the substance that the Fox community deserves. Well, tonight, I couldn't resist.
The Lakers just walked out of one of the most hyped games of the season with a win. Twas not a huge win numerically, but it solidified 3-1 season series win over their division rival.
Win. Win. Win.
Kobe and Pau combined for 70 points (41 and 29, respectively). Kobe's finger didn't seem to get in the way of a 41 point outing, and, yet again, Mr. Gasol impressed me with his Spaniard flair and finesse. I know, I've prefaced just about everything Gasol does with the word 'Spaniard,' but there's no denying that Pau's game is elegant... and frankly, I find Spain elegant.
You saw that hook shot.
That aside, Lamar came out with a good showing, and despite missing 25 layups, he managed to score 22 and pull down 11.
Oh yeah, we almost forgot. Shaq made his Phoenix debut today (stache-less). I'll never be one to hate on The Diesel, but he looked very sluggish coming into the game... He almost looked confused walking out to center court before the opening tip. Nevertheless, Shaq did what he does best, and provided a huge presence physically down low. Despite getting off to a slow start, he managed for 15 and nine; just in the neighborhood of his season averages.
If we want to look past the Kobe-Shaq hype, Amare Stoudemire stole the show on the Phoenix side of things. 37 points and 15 rebounds really showcased Amare's abilities at the four. Steve Nash also chimed in with 22 points and eight assists.
The bottom line is that this was a fun game to watch. I was standing in front of the TV for the entire fourth quarter. That's how I judge the overall aesthetics o####ame... the 'stand-factor.'
Lastly, The Lakers' win boosted them into a tie with the Suns atop the Pacific Division. Upcoming games anyone?
Lakers: Suns:
Food for thought...
[edit: 1:53am] Check out Tom7's ####t on the game if you haven't already. It's like 400x more comprehensive.
This series between the 2 teams is over. PHX can't defend LA,doesn't have as many options,doesn't have any depth,and Bynums knee is the only thing holding them from 4 game sweep.Shaquille gave about what anybody could hope for, but was still outclassed by Gasol.If Bynum were there, Gasol would have defended Amare. I am not saying he would have held him down, but he wouldn't have 37 and 15. Pau is more suited to guard Amare rather than Shaq. The Suns only play 7 guys...the Lakers play 10(-Bynum). I could go on for an hour about the things PHX has problems with, but it isn't needed
A general evaluation is this....The Suns have no shot at beating the Lakers.
Well said alaskan. The true test is going to be in the playoffs... we all know how the past two years have turned out... Everything changes come playoff time, but I think the Lakers finally have what it takes to get over the hump (the hump being the suns).
Dont think Shaq is going to be that big of a difference maker. Modest numbers in a game that he was playing for his life. How will he play against a lack luster match up on the road with no crowd cheering every time he touches the ball? The hype and adrenaline will eventualy die and the only thing thats left is conditioning. None there.
If he thinks Gasol was tough, wait till he has to out rebound "Young Drew" Bynum. If they even get there.
Shaq outrebounded Gasol 9-3, in fact rebounding was the single area that the Suns dominated, 52-44.
No one on the Suns plays tough defense, and it's been that way under Dantoni. Since they "held" Kobe to 64% shooting while shooting 38% from the shooting guard position, the game really was never in doubt.
Unfortunately for the Suns, Shaq's presence does not include playing good defense, he will block a few shots but can't react quickly enough to make a real difference without a solid defensive game plan. Suns will need a new coach before there's a chance of that happening...
Last edited by nba is the worst on February 21st at 7:16 AM.
I am not a Shaq defender, Lord knows, but aren't you missing the real impact Shaq can have. No, his numbers were not great, but he is not there for the numbers. He is there to help the others get the numbers. And Amare got 37/15. Steve Nash had 22 and 8 assists.
This did not get them past the Lakers, but it would get them past most of the other teams in the league. And Shaq himself admitted he was out of step with the team. That will not continue. A few more practices and Shaq will not be confused any more.
Shaq proved he can play within the Suns' system and said he was in better shape than he thought. The motivation is there. He is out to prove he can help another team win a championship.
The question is not his ability, his motivation, or his willingness to be a good teammate. The question is his body. He is 36, he is huge, and because of his position, takes a lot of abuse. And he has not played in the type of system that the Suns run. Will his body hold up, especially his knees?
Last edited by Spurcse on February 21st at 6:50 AM.
Good points as usual. Your consistent intelligence is quite welcome in the land of Foxsports!
What do you think of the Spurs' additions of Kurt Thoms and Stoudamire, do you feel they have enough at this point to beat the Lakers in the West finals?
Last edited by nba is the worst on February 21st at 7:23 AM.
NBA, thanks for the nice words. I love the additions. But I will really miss Brent Barry. He was a deadly shooter from outside and played a pretty decent defense (as does any player Pop allows to hang around for very long.) But it was his upbeat attitude and humor that made him so hard to lose. I would not be surprised to see him back in SA as an assistant coach when his playing days are through.
As to whether the additions are enough to get the Spurs past the Lakers, I always find it hard to predict. The Spurs are such an unknown quanity right now. Because of the overlapping injuries to the big three, they have not played together since about the 20 ganme mark, at which point they were 17-3.
They are getting Tony back tonight and we will begin to see how things stand. they have won 7 out of the last 8 games with the one loss being to Boston. If they can regain the form they had before the injuries, yes, I think they can beat the Lakers. I think when they are playing well, they can beat anyone.
I do not expect it to be easy and it might not even be possible, but I would remind eveyone that at this time last year, most people had written the Spurs off.
My advice is not to take the Spurs lightly. People have done that in the past.
Last edited by Spurcse on February 22nd at 10:26 AM.
Gasol killed Shaq. Phx should not have traded Marion for Shaq. Nash looks upset. Phx might not make the playoffs. Kidd is old. Paul used him like a rag. Bibby is finished also. James and Wells can help the Hornets as backups. Gasol to the Lakers is the best trade. Don't forget that injuries play a great role in determining a champion. All the trades were stupid and dumb except the Gasol trade. The Bulls should have gotten him at the start of the season. Their big men can't score. And when the three point shot is not falling for the guards, Nicione is the only threat they have. Their poor play got their coach fired. All of a sudden the Celtics are beatable. Their bench is going to have to play better to win a championship. The Lakers look real good. They have a very strong bench. Sometimes they play better than the starters. The East should not have let the Lakers get Gasol. He can score twenty ponts every night. The only thing that will stop the Lakers are injuries. The Hornets might give them a good game and Utah needs that third consistent scorer to play with the Lakers. The rest of the league does not have a chance. If Bynum can come back and score ten points and grab ten rebounds a game with the bench the Lakers have I see them in the finals. Portland is a sleeper. Roy is injury prone and the team is too young right now to win a championship. Kerr made a huge mistake letting Marion go for Shag. Even getting Hill was not the answer. They have no bench strength. I don't know what the Suns were thinking.
The problem for the rest of the NBA is no longer how to stop KOBE but how to stop this LAKERS JUGGERNAUT.
The LAKERS complete domination of PHX and their recent clobbering of first place New Orleans in New Orleans both suggest that LA is too much to handle because they are simply loaded with OPTIONS and MULTI-POSITION PLAYERS. That's the key.
Teams have to figure us out and it's extremely hard to do that when you've got the ZENMASTER and the CLOSEST THING TO MJ.
The SPURS will give LA its toughest matchup. But LA is deeper, more balanced, quicker, and bigger. Plus LA has Kobe, whom San Antonio has never been able stop let alone contain.
The Lakers dictated PHX without Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, two very key defensive players. That shows something about the confidence and resolve of this young and dangerous team.
The Lakers are on their way to three titles in the next five years, no doubt about it.
I'm a realistic observer of the vast world that surrounds the Los Angeles Lakers. You can thank Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos, and Vlade Divac for making that possible. The greatest person of all time is Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn. There's no getting around that. Me? I'm eighteen years old and working my way to a journalism degree.
