DARTH OUTDUELS SHAQ

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.