Suns vs Lakers. Kobe vs Shaq. Bynum vs Shaq. A preview of the Western Conference Finals. A marquee matchup between Western rivals.

Only one of those sentences is even remotely accurate. Aside from last year, the Suns have been the brick wall that Kobe and crew couldn’t knock down in the post Shaq era. Facing each other in the first round of the playoffs in back to back years, created a new rivalry in the ever-changing landscape of the NBA. And then the unthinkable happened. The Suns traded for Shaq and caused a near riot in the ESPN and TNT marketing offices. In an odd scheduling snafu, by the time Shaq joined the Suns last season, the Lakers had already faced them four times. So, last nights main event was the first time Kobe and Shaq faced each other in some time.

The first half seemed promising with the teams trading baskets back and fourth until the Lakers pulled ahead and took a small lead into halftime. An early surprise was Shaq’s friskiness and Bynum’s inability to handle the Big Out-of-Shape. Bynum was outmatched. I guess the big fella part II still has some growing up to do. Kobe was asked in his post game interview how Bynum did against Shaq. His response…”Not good.” Enough said.

The second half turned into a blowout after Radmanovic channeled his inner Majerlie and went bonkers hitting 5-5 three pointers. And that was all she wrote. This highly anticipated matchup turned into a now run of the mill rout for these Lakers. So what did we learn? Well, the Suns are not your three-year younger brother’s Suns. They’re slow, old and a standard half court team. Nash looks hesitant, Shaq needs to put down the donuts and seven seconds or less has become dump the ball into Shaq and stand around and watch. Wait, something is very familiar about all of this.

As for the Lakers? They’ll have their poor shooting nights. They’ll have their poor defensive nights. But unless they’re completely incapable of shooting or defending, like the game against the Pistons, look out. What do you do? Do you go with the shut Kobe down and let the other guys beat you? You mean, two seven footers and Odom coming off the bench? Or, do you shut down the other guys and let Kobe beat you? You mean, the MVP, most clutch shooter in the league, cut throat defender and the guy that will rip out your heart and stomp on it in a potentially meaningless game in January? Ya, probably not.

This team is special. This season could be historic. Nothing is guaranteed in sports, especially not a championship. But we can all agree that based on last season, anything but a shiny gold trophy will inevitably be a disappointment. The following I can guarantee. Gasol is finally playing his natural position at power forward and is shining. Bynum will improve all year long. Sasha will punch someone in the face. Radmanovic will again go 5-5, but he’ll also have many 1-9’s. Luke will develop splinters in his ass. And Kobe will never, ever quit. As always, Fear the Mamba.

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7-1

How ridiculous is that!

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