Results tagged “Lakers,” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

While thousands of Laker fans hit the Coliseum for the Laker parade, there's a lot of work going on behind the world of sports. Word in Boston now, is Ray Allen is getting traded for Adriana Lima. Lebron doesn't win the 'ship but still gets to take his friends to the White House. Tiger is officially back, and to some...A-Rod is on his way. We learn of McHale's end to coaching...thanks to Kevin Love's Twitter. The Ryan Leaf saga oddly continues. Interesting day in sports. Parade snapshot of line courtesy of @Suli80.

Mid-week daily line. Enjoy.

In Game 4 of the NBA Finals the Orlando Magic displayed a complete mockery of a team attempting to become NBA Champions. I can't remember the last time I seen a team in the Finals refuse to put one foot in front of the other. Absolutely refuse to acknowledge that 1 + 1 = 2. It's almost like it's something about the purple and yellow that has the Magic scared and under the covers. Much like Rick Adelman, Stan Van Gundy can't seem to function with Phil Jackson on the other teams bench. The Zen-Master is like the Boogie Man who snatches away their late-game poise and ability to coach.

Stan Van Gundy did a disservice to the leader of this team that might have a lasting affect. What he did to Jameer Nelson and his team lastnight could be a fireable offense. Anyone with plain eyes knows that Jameer Nelson is not right and if he was the Magic would probably be winning the series but that's a different story. No way Stan should have Jameer playing the entire 4th quarter in a must win game coming off that long layoff. He's not able to help them on offense and Alston had played well the previous game. Totally inexcuseable but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The biggest sin commited against the City of Orlando,Walt Disney and everyone watching these Finals was the decision not to foul with L.A. down by 3. No need to get into why you foul real late up by 3 It's been well documented by our own Kali McIver is his "Ridiculous Late Game Strategy" article. I guess when you're a genius in sarcasm it doesn't do much for your common sense. The Lakers figured, hey if they don't want it we'll take it.

The Magic have actually lost this Series more than L.A. won it. The Lakers have just won games by not disrespecting the basketball gods. This L.A. team could of been had by this Magic team when you look at the matchups. But between Stans inability to get Howard the ball more and to take advantage of their 3 point shooting or threat of, either or... it just hasn't happened. Understand the Magic have been leaving plays on the floor all Series long. Whether it be not being able to get Dwight the ball when he has his man sealed off, Dwight missing layups and free throws and Lee missing that layup in game 2. Even lastnight with under 5 seconds left in a tie game not passing the ball to Dwight with Kobe guarding him at the rim. From coaching staff down to the players they are clearly just not ready to be Champions. Scary coaching leads to scary play on the court. All missed opportunities.

Kobe Bryant is, at worst, the second-best player in the NBA. In thirteen seasons, he's won three NBA Championships (yes, they're HIS, too), an MVP award, two scoring titles, been an eleven-time All-Star, and owns all kinds of NBA records. He is universally recognized as the best closer in the game, and is three wins away from another NBA Championship (and first Finals MVP, if they win).

Yet, Kobe Bryant is probably the most hated player in the NBA, and has been for some time.

Since he's come into the league, he's been accused of being aloof, arrogant, vain, self-centered, out for dolo, and every other way that a player can be described as "selfish." People say he shoots too much or that he's not a good teammate; people throw in his face that he's not Michael Jordan. And they're right. Michael took way more shots than Kobe did.

If you are the Orlando Magic the one thing you can not do is panic. Yes you were embarrassed last night, but losing game one doesn't mean you have lost the series (actually if you are playing against a Phil Jackson team it does, but work with me here).

Your fans are losing their minds, you coach looks like he rather be shooting his next porno than coaching and you looked like a deer in the headlights under the bright lights of LA, but all is not lost.

So the Lakers DO have the energy of someone younger than 60 years old.

For most of these playoffs, we have watched the Lakers sleepwalk through games like a team that has already won three or four championships. Luke Walton had me thinking he was actually a spy from the other team, and I wasn't sure Lamar Odom was even alive anymore.

Then, the Denver Nuggets smacked LA clean in the mouth during a 120-101 loss in Game 4. They had to stomach watching J.R. Smith tap-dancing, mean-mugging, and generally being a stereotype as they went down in flames in Denver. Not only that, they let a guy who actually answers to "Birdman" shut them down.

Maybe that was enough to finally wake the Lakers up. Lord knows I was tired of seeing them play like they'd automatically be in the Finals just because it's been prophesied by the Kobe/LeBron commercials. I think for most people, escaping Houston like they did would be enough for a team to realize that it's not gonna be a cakewalk.

I am starting to think that the NBA wants Ron Artest to "Table Leg" stab someone considering the unfair treatment he has been getting lately. Artest has been thrown out of two games in a row for:

1- Talking closely to Kobe Bryant.
2- Going for a block shot on Pau Gasol.

The NBA Playoffs are upon us and although the majority of us, including your sexy model-writer, are salivating at a clobbering in Cleveland and a looting in LA showdown between the Cavaliers and Lakers, the NBA has other plans in store. Mr. West and the NBA have paired up to give you something so amazing with a NBA playoffs commercial featuring the song "Amazing" from Yeezy's hit album 808's and Heartbreaks.

From Dwyane Wade's reverse layup to a Dwight Howard monster jam to LeBron catching an alley-oop and a buzzer beater by Kobe, prepare to witness amazing happening this year. Let the playoffs begin!

NBA Playoffs begin Saturday, April 19th

Written by Qiana M

It's already a given that Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa is very...yes, well put together. But did we know she was borderline crazy? Bryant's former housekeeper is suing the Bryants, citing she was "harassed and humiliated," denied health insurance and forced to quit because of "intolerable" working conditions.

We've all heard the names before. "Ball hog", "Arrogant", "Selfish." The only thing is the "haters" were right. The Lakers most recognized player, jersey number 24 (formerly known as 8) was all those things however that was pre-MVP Black Mamba. While you can count on Kobe to be the go to man and put up 50+pts on a given night to carry his team to victory (see the 61pt record setting performance he dropped on the Boston Celtics at the Garden back in February) you can also rest assure that he will dish the ball out to you to let you get your shine on (ahem, see Lamar Odom, Trevor Azria and Paul Gasol game performances of late).

There's valid hate then there's hate from disgruntled ex-Lakers' players jobless or otherwise. Ask former Lakers' guard, Smush Parker. "Tell em, why your mad son! tell 'em why you're mad!"

Quite possibly. I imagine we won't be able to tell for sure, but with Trevor Ariza fouling Rudy Fernandez in last night's blowout loss to the Portland Blazers, this might be the beginning of something different; possibly something we have not seen from this Laker squad in some time.

Today, the NBA suspended Lamar Odom for leaving the bench during the little rift after the foul between various players, and The Lakers will be even more short-handed against the tall Rockets team Wednesday in Houston. But after the foul, something else seemed to trigger the Laker squad. As a whole, the Lakers defense has been absolutely terrifying the past few games, and it seems as though wide-open layups and completely open three pointers are easy to get against the Lakers. But have the Lakers had enough? Will Portland's complete domination (that's 7 straight games won in Portland now) over the Lakers put a bitter taste in their mouths for the rest of the season?

I was in LA a couple of months back shooting a commercial (come on who is more Hollywood than "Ya Boy" Bona Fide Expert Robert Littal) on the Sony studios lot. While I was there I met a very attractive production assistant who knew little to nothing about sports. In my effort to impress her first off I told her I was an extra in "American Gangster", but I also told her of an idea of a movie script I was working on. Here is the transcript of that conversation:

Production Assistant: American Gangster really? That is really cool.

Production Assistant: You are writing a movie script? Please tell me more.

The leading man would be an athlete that was a high school phenom who took an R&B singer to prom in the process humiliating his high school sweetheart. He was drafted and then traded to the most glamorous franchise in the NBA and brashly as a 17 year old rookie air ball two potential game winning threes in his first playoff series. Undeterred the Phenom would go on to become one half of the greatest duos in NBA history. Along the way he would marry a Video Vixen who claim to fame was being in a Snoop Dogg video and who may or maybe not been underage when they got together. Because of this decision his parents ostracized him. Through it all the phenom became the one of the best players in the game, but didn't like playing "The Game" to his bigger than life teammate playing "50 Cent". Whereas the Phenom considered himself more talented and driven than his more celebrated teammate his larger than life teammate thought his little brother was an arrogant jerk and that he was mostly responsible for his success. The tandem would win multiple championships the Phenom did not like be a supporting character in this Oscar winning team.

RL: What you think so far?

RL: *crickets*

Yes I am biased as a Laker fan. And even further biased that I think Number 24 is the most complete offensive player to ever play the game of basketball. But anybody who watches the game of basketball can't deny that Kobe's offensive prowess was on a whole other level tonight.

Saying part of tonight's performance was motivated by the news of Andrew Bynum's injury, Bryant did a lot bit of everything tonight from threes to dunks to hitting difficult shots on his way down. A perfect 20 for 20 from the free throw line, Bryant was unstoppable on a night where he gave the Madison Square Garden the best performance ever by a visiting player or a Knicks player.

It's unfortunate that the Lakers will miss Bynum for 8-12 weeks, but while every other Laker must make up for Bynum's presence, one thing is for sure. Statistically, Kobe Bryant has always played better in the second half of the season. From the tail-end of January to the end of the season, Bryant has lifted his game up a notch in the past 2 seasons. He was only 20 points off his career high (a little ridiculous to say that).

The Mamba has returned.

Lakers Center, Andrew Bynum's MRI revealed a torn MCL which will keep him out 8-12 weeks, which will surely test the Lakers with a tough few games with Boston up on Thursday, and Cleveland on Sunday, both road games.

More on this as it develops in the coming days.

AP Photo

Just thought I'd spread the word...you know.

Yeah, he's soft. Yeah, he's still immature. Yeah, he has been known to shy away and become non-existent when he is needed the most. And yes, the first time he played Shaq, Shaq dunked on him so hard, he will forever be on one of Shaq's greatest posters.

But Andrew Bynum is still also, only twenty-one years old, a baby to some. So sure, he's soft, and sure he gets tired and will make some careless mistakes with the ball. But if you haven't seen Andrew Bynum play basketball, then you truly are missing out on something special.

True, Pau Gasol is the second option on the team, and is the most consistent Laker on the team this year. And anybody believes Bynum will never amount to anything more than an average center int his league will be quick to point out Bynum's stat line against bigger, more physical centers like Orlando's Dwight Howard (3 rebounds).

But believe it or not...Andrew Bynum is slowly becoming the player the Lakers had truly hoped for. Andrew Bynum...is slowly evolving.

Into an idea called greatness.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Phil Jackson will be featured in a special interview during the ABC broadcast of Sunday's Laker game with the Spurs. An interview conducted by Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson discusses how he anticipates retiring after the 2009-2010 NBA season, when his contract with the Lakers expires. Jackson stresses that Lakers owner Jerry Buss has emphasized his desire to keep Jackson as coach, but he just wants to take one season at a time.

Considered one of the greatest coaches of all-time, 1010-426 record, an incredible .703 winning percentage as well as a 193-84 playoff record. He owns nine championship rings (6 with Chicago, 3 with Los Angeles) and has never hid his desire to own more championship rings than the late Boston head coach, Red Auerback, who also owns nine with Boston. Jackson has coached the most dominant player to ever play the game, Michael Jordan and was behind the nearly untouchable perfect season in the 95-96 season, going 72-10 with the Chicago Bulls.

At age 63, and two hip replacement surgeries, Jackson has been an NBA head coach for 18 years, after a 12-year playing career. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. What this means for the Los Angeles Lakers franchise remains to be unseen, but Jackson is sure to aim for that 10th ring in the next two years.

Look out for the interview this Sunday on ABC.

You know I have to re-post this.... Enjoy.

Forget the debate. It'll be a round-about argument between the world.

GQ recently called Lebron "the best player in the world."
DIME magazine gave that title to Kobe last year.
Mark Jackson calls Kobe "the best player in the universe."
Jeff Van Gundy calls Lebron "the most complete player to ever play in the NBA."...but would take Kobe in the last 3 minutes of any game.

So I'll let the debate go on and on and on and just say this.

These two specimens are the best players in the league.

Dear Friend,
Broken ankles can happen at anytime. Don't let your friends, loved ones or opponents suffer from slow game any longer. If your superior quickness has ever broken someone's ankles, don't just laugh at them. Get them the piece of mind they so desperately need. After a lifetime of breaking my opponent's ankles, I'm giving back to those in need. -Kobe

Kobe is now selling ankle insurance through a the AIC. Kobe, President, CEO, CFO, CMO, Owner, and Jefe of AIC introduces you to his important policy that is needed.

Most likely done by Nike's Ad Agency, Weiden+Kennedy, check out Nike's new promo for Kobe's new kicks.

Also, check out the promo site, http://www.notmybrokenankles.com

Check out the video on Yahoo! where Kobe is talking about where he's getting his new moves from this season. CP3 knows what's up.

Watch the video here.

On March 16, 2008 last year, the surging Lakers came into Houston with anticipation to break the Rockets amazing winning streak which had reached 21. Not wanting to be a part of their historic run, Kobe and the Lake Show were hoping to cool down the Rockets.

This article isn't about the game. It's not about the win streak. It's about Shane Battier vs. Kobe Bryant.

In that game last year, Shane Battier put on such an incredible display of defense on Kobe Bryant, that even an avid fan of Kobe myself had to give it up to the dude. Ok, ok some people might get on my case for saying this, but Shane practically shut him down that night.

An NBA season is a long season. With eighty-two games, and when you're a team of championship caliber, sometimes you typically expect to play at least sixteen more...if you're lucky.

Last year, the Celtics and Lakers got to that level, and it wasn't because one player carried them there. It wasn't because a two-man tandem scored majority of the points - it was because each basketball club had a good, respectable team.

Thirty-six games into the season, the Lakers have the best record, second best home-record, the highest scoring team in the league, are nearly invincible in their division (8-1) and 9-1 in their last ten games. Things are good, right? As it turns out, not particularly, as today the Lakers embark on their biggest test of the year. With a back-to-back in Texas starting tonight against the Rockets and Spurs, and finishing the week off with Orlando on Friday, the Lakers have a lot of work to do. Let's also mention that the following Monday, Lebron comes to town.

The Lakers came into the season as one of the deepest teams in the league. They had a second string that played staggering defense, and numerous 15-0 runs to kill games. They were running on an unbelievable level of energy to show everyone that they aren't that team that folded in June motivation. Now...the Lakers are running on electric stimulation, and are being hindered by

Every year Forbes puts out a list of highest paid franchises. Some of the rankees come as no surprise given the Cleveland Cavaliers have the next face of the league and the Lakers are poised to return to NBA Championship glory, but other rankees in the top five slots would blow even the seasoned sports fanatics' mind. With a #20 ranking toting only $114 million in revenue, it's no wonder the Trailblazers are baller blockin' Darius Miles from signing with other teams,. See where you favorite NBA squad falls on Forbes coveted NBA MVP Teams.

#1 New York Knicks

Team Value $613 mil
The New York Knicks are owned by Cablevision Systems, who bought them in 1997 for $300 mil.

The Knicks won only 34% of their games under Thomas and spent a league high $424 million on players over four years. The out-of-control spending also meant the Knicks had to pony up $126 million in luxury tax payments. Despite the on-court problems, the Knicks continue to regularly sell out the Garden at outrageous prices. Thanks to the addition of VIP boxes boasting a private wait staff and flat-screen TVs in upwards of $800,000 per season, the New York Knicks enjoyed a lucrative $208 million dollars in revenue in 2008. Something to look forward to granted the team is only worth a lowly $35 million currently.

Major corporate sponsors are T-Mobile, Foot Locker (nyse: FL), Coca-Cola (nyse: KO), Continental Airlines (nyse: CAL), Anheuser-Busch, American Express (nyse: AXP).

#2 L.A. Lakers

Team Value $584 mil
The Los Angeles Lakers are owned by Jerry Buss and Philip Anschutz (Net Worth: $8 billion), who bought them in 1979/1998 for $20 mil/$268 mil.

It's no wonder why the Lakers are #2 in the land of most paid NBA Franchises. The Lakers sold out all their games last season and attending a home game at the Staples Center amounted to taking a stroll down Hollywood's Walk of Fame with the increase in celebrity sightings. Thanks to astronomically priced courtside tickets at $2,500 a pop, loyal fanfare, Kobe's MVP award, and a renewed rivalry between long time rivals the Boston Celtics, The Lakers franchise enjoyed revenue to the tune of $191 million last year and a $91 million dollar boost in value from $79 million in 2007 to $170 million in 2008

Major corporate sponsors are Toyota Motor (nyse: TM), American Express (nyse: AXP), PepsiCo (nyse: PEP), Anheuser-Busch, Adidas. Naming rights sponsor is Staples (nasdaq: SPLS).

I feel like Chicken Little! I've been yelling about the sky falling for so long that when the proverbial falling of the sky happened last night it seemed that the impact was somehow worst than I foretold. I'm speaking of the fall of the Kobe vs MJ conversations that have dug their way into every sports show, column, blog from here to Croatia.

You see, with the 6 for 19, 17 point shooting performance of Kobe Bryant, I see a lot of people running from their greatest player to ever play the game tag, they'd bestowed upon Kobe Bryant all season. Don't get me wrong, he's the best scorer the NBA has to offer at this time, but my opinion was that he was not better than Jordan (sorry Mark Jackson) and he was not the greatest to ever play the game, by far.

Sure, he's up against one of the best, if not the best, defensive team this year. And yes, Boston's had his number even during the regular season, but seriously, 6 for 19 in what was a route until Doc Rivers reminded his team they could play defense. They then shut the Lakers and Kobe down for the 2nd half of last night's game. By the final horn, Kobe and the Lakers surrendered what supposed to be the biggest route in NBA Finals History. And again looked exposed as being the all offense and no defense machine that they were.

Game 1 can be pretty easily broken down. The Celtics dominated the boards and defensively clamped down on the Lakers and specifically Kobe Bryant in the second half. The Lakers played a very sound 1st half, but they made a crucial mistake when Paul Pierce got hurt. (More on that in a second.) They relaxed and allowed the Celtics, while Pierce was in the locker room, to believe they could win without him. So when he came back on the floor, they rode that energy to a victory.

Kobe has to play better. The Lakers as a whole played well until they started to miss a lot of open shots in the 4th quarter. The defense the Celtics are playing on Kobe is very similar, if not the same, to what they played on Lebron James. It is designed to force the other players to win games and frustrate the superstar into tough shots. You could see Kobe fighting the urge to go Kobe circa 2004. Overall he made some very pretty passes, but he seemed confused by the defense. Great players though make adjustments and I would not be shocked if we see a dominant performance in Game 2.

I have nothing against Paul Pierce and I am sure his knee is hurt, but if you get taken off the court in a wheelchair only to return a few minutes later then you couldn't have been as hurt as you were letting on. I don't think it was intentional and he played a very solid game, but please spare me the Willis Reed comments or how courageous and miraculous it was. It would have been miraculous if we find out tomorrow he has a blown ACL. Then I will be impressed. Don't over-blow something that shouldn't even be a story. He got a little scared overacted a bit realized it wasn't as bad as he first thought, came back on the floor and hit some threes. The story ends there.

It is what you all have been waiting for. Check out the video to see why The Lakers and Neo Bryant will bring home the NBA Title:

Here are the predictions from the rest of the BSO staff:

Robert Bonnette: Celtics in 6
Terence Turner: Lakers in 5
Amber Fox: Lakers in 5
Carl Davis: Lakers in 6
Omar Curran: Lakers in 6
Joslin Lofton: Celtics in 7
JP Sutherland: Lakers in 6
Adam Thomas: Lakers in 6

Would also like to point out that Miss Amber Fox won the Super Model vs. BonaFide Sports Expert NBA Playoff Challenge. By getting 13 out 14 series correct up to this point, it is mathematically impossible for me to catch her seeing that I only got 10 of 14 series correct. So I bow down to Miss Fox as this is the 2nd time she has defeated me in a basketball-related challenge, but we will see what will happen when football season starts.

ForeverAFox.com

For the 2008 NBA FInals, David Stern got exactly what he wanted. Actually most fans couldn't even argue with this match-up. The Classic, Lakers Vs. Celtics. Some of us even had the video game coming up around 1990 or so. (No one could see me!)

Boston has the PGA Tour going against KB24 and the Lakers. When you look at the rosters, you'd think Boston should be able to pull it out. The problem is the fire that burns inside of Bryant these days trumps whatever the opponents are throwing at him. I mean when's the last time you saw Bruce Bowen looking that bad on defense? People understand that Bean is locked in. He is not cheating himself or his team out of their true potential. He is Neo and basketball is The Matrix.

The Celtics need Pierce to come close to Kobe's scoring output to have a chance. Glenn Rivers (there's only one Doc!) needs to realize this. I mean if Garnett, EVER, played up to his true potential... the possibilites, just maybe the C's would be unstoppable. For instance, if he stops shooting fade away jumpers sometimes; played as aggressively as his ice-grills (or facial expressions); maybe he'd average 30ppg and 12 to 15 rebounds a game; and maybe it would be a different story. But why would that change now at this point? He is who he is.

Unless you live in San Antonio, you are breathing a sigh of relief that Joey Crawford decided to exact his revenge on the Spurs for getting him suspended last year for the Tim Duncan laughing incident.

First let's make one thing clear it was a foul. No matter how you spin it, there is no question that Derek Fisher fouled Brent Barry (you can watch it here).

The problem lies in the age old question: why is a foul in the 1st quarter not a foul in the 4th quarter? Also why is a foul a foul if it is Manu taking that hit as opposed to Brent Barry?

The NBA is suffering from a perception problem in the fact that people think games are rigged. Are they rigged? Probably not, but is it fair to bring up that officials may have some bias against certain players and/or teams? It is most definitely is. The fact that there are different sets of rules in the 1st quarter and than the 4th quarter will always lead to speculation that something is going on behind the scenes.

It shouldn't matter if it is Brent Barry getting jumped on or Michael Jordan famously pushing off on Byron Russell, you have to be consistent. The fact that the refs all night were giving the Spurs calls on fouls with very less contact only underlies the problem with the system that is currently in place. Maybe "Racist" Stern likes it this way. You know the saying, bad publicity is better than no publicity and everyone today is talking about the game, but in my opinion for all the wrong reasons.

The Lakers outplayed the Spurs and if not for some boneheaded decisions by them down the stretch as well as some favorable calls that went the Spurs way (the goaltending that shouldn't have been and the non-shot clock reset that should have been reset), the game would not have come down to that last play. With that being said, though, regardless of what happened in the past, you still have to make the proper call. The proper call was Barry on the line for two shots to tie the game.

Just like majority of you, I am happy the call didn't get made because honestly who wants to see the Spurs in the Finals again. But in the end, you can just add this to the long list of reasons why the NBA's popularity is declining quicker than George Bush's popularity.

Written By Robert Littal

You would think you would have learned your lesson by now. When the Spurs were being pummeled by the Hornets in the first two games of that series, here are few things I heard:

"The Spurs are too old."

"The dynasty is over."

"Now we will see who is the real MVP Chris Paul or Kobe Bryant."

I could go one but you get the idea. I, being the voice of reason tried to explain to everyone that this is the Spurs we are talking about and they have more resurrections than Jason Voorhees. Even when it got to Game 7, I warned people to ignore the fact that the Spurs had been blown out in the previous three games in New Orleans because they were more than capable of pulling out a Game 7. Low and behold when the pressure was on, the Spurs didn't flinched and the Hornets did.

Now that everyone has seen the Lakers destroy the Spurs over the last six quarters guess what I am hearing?

"The Spurs are too old."

"The dynasty is over."

"When Kobe wins the NBA Finals, is he in the discussion with Jordan now?"

Just like before I would caution you that the coffin hasn't been nailed shut and don't be surprised if in a week or so we are looking at Game 7. Then, who do you think is going to flinch?

Not to chime in with the "I told you so's," I will simply let my article two weeks ago do that.
[ True Veterans]

The San Antonio Spurs will be facing the Los Angeles Lakers much to the chagrin of many fans ( true and fair-weather) of CP3 and the high flying Hornets. Not to worry though, this should be a great series that really showcases the two stars on the perspective teams.

Tim Duncan is called the big fundamental and, while watching him, you can see that the entire playing style of the offense draws from how he is covered on the floor. Against New Orleans, you saw him work the outside with the inexperienced West. While this slowed down his offensive production, he maintained his energy and was able to play hard down the stretch when his energy was needed. He also was able to work the boards more, as he is currently the best rebounder that's still alive in these playoffs with a 13.3 average.

This works well with the Spurs deliberate style of play because it allows Tony Parker to walk up with the ball and set up Manu Ginobli to either shoot it or deliver that extra pass to another player. This slows down the game and allows for the old men to rest their legs and use thier experience from 1 - 5 to create separation and create shots.

This strategy works well when playing against a team such as the Hornets. Their inexperience happened to be their downfall. The Suns, who had a lack of cohesiveness caused by the Big Diesel's arrival, really ended up in the same boat. This is not so for the soaring Lakers lead by Kobe Bryant.

A rested Kobe also reflects the Lakers as well. He is not called the best player in the league for nothing and he has proved it throughout these playoffs by cutting through defenses at will, averaging 33.3 points per game. This wasn't such a test against the "Greatest Team on Paper," the Denver Nuggets who play like a glorified NBA Street team. But. he also did it against the Utah Jazz in their building, a stronghold which mimics the best of Arco Arena when C Webb and M. Bibby were at the height of their careers.

The only question mark has to be his teammates. Pau Gasol isn't a question because he is shooting 56% from the floor. Derek Fisher has played well for a wily veteran as he leads the playoff season in steals. But you have other question marks such as Lamar Odom whose here-today, gone-tomorrow style of play really leads to rough spots against good teams as seen in the Jazz series. Not to mention the eternal underachiever Luke Walton who showed up against Denver...but became a ghost.

Wait I thought Darth Kobe was injured? Just imagine how many more points he would have dropped on the Phoenix if he had a healthy pinkie. The Lakers even without Andrew Bynum appears poised to make a run at the NBA Finals. You aren't hearing too many critics now questioning Bean's leadership or calling him selfish. It is amazing what surrounding a superstar with very good players will do to someone's image. I know the series I want to see in the NBA playoffs would be the Suns vs. Lakers how fun would that be?

Speaking of The Suns The Big Heat Ray made his debut and played some inspired ball. But here is what I have ascertained from watching Shaq. He has no lift in his legs any more and that explains why his rebound and block shot numbers have steadily been going down. It appears he is willing to except his role on the Suns and put in 15 and 7 every night that would be a positive. His acquisition doesn't really make the Suns a better team from an X and O perspective but from a chemistry perspective it makes them better. In the end though he is not enough of a difference maker at this point in his career to lead the Suns to anything except an early playoff exit.