The Lakers walked into the US Airways Center and beat the Suns by 13 points, 105-92. It seemed like another game and just another win for the potential NBA Champions but on this night they were playing against their old teammate and at times friend, Mr. Shaquille O'Neal.
After Shaq threw Kobe under the bus with his apparently funny free-style at a New York club during the summer, this was a contest that most highlighted on their calendars.
Note, I found the rap to be a sad reminder of how far Shaq has fallen into his post dominating years in the NBA while seeing how far Kobe has come after losing a big man, overcoming the Colorado rape thing, and of course a Gold Medal draped around his neck.
As the Lakers just walked into the home of the Suns and walked out with yet another victory the story of former teammates, friends, and the face of a dynasty just seemed to bore me. Shaq is maturing, a little, by accepting his new role as a second scoring option behind Amare and realizing that his skills are not what they use to be. While Kobe seems to finally realize that his teammates are the ones that he needs to rely on to bring him a championship post Shaq. Kobe seems content with just leaving his selfish ways by taking fewer shots, passing out of double teams, and even taking the 30-35 minutes of court time with a smile.
The times have changed. Kobe, Shaq, and if you really want to add in the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson, are finally on diverging paths with what I am completely happy with. The stories about the feuding trio was interesting but with all story lines they get old and worn out.
Looking back on the departure of Shaq to the Heat and how Shaq brought the Heat a championship, a partner in crime for Dywane Wade, and don't forget a last place finish I have always wondered what if. What if Shaq stayed in LA and found a way to mend the fences between the trio. What if Shaq stayed and dominated the paint in the Staples Center. Would the Lakers have one, two, or maybe even three more banners in the rafters. Well, we will never know but there is one thing I am 100% sure about now. There is only one person who has the chance to bring in one, two, three, four, and maybe even five banners.
Look no further than the cornerstone of the Lakers, Mr. Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers have the core of players that can potentially bring another dynasty to LA. Bryant has the opportunity to be apart of two different dynasty's in his NBA career. Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Ariza, Fisher, and of course Kobe (as a team) are the future of the NBA. With their tools and skills to absolutely dominate the West and the entire NBA for years to come other teams should be rightfully scared.
Kobe is only 30 and we all know that with health and medical advances Kobe could easily be raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy five times before he walks away from the NBA.
I am looking forward to watching the Lake Show in the near future.
Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com
How is it possible that a professional basketball player can't make 60-70% of their shots from the charity stripe. You stand on a line that is only 4.5metres away from the backboard. If you feel too close you can take a step back. You stand alone with no defender in front of you. You can take your time. Position yourself as you feel fit. Plus you can shoot when you want to.
Just a shout out to Jerome Iginla.
It is finally official, the former Maple Leafs captain is now a proud member of the Vancouver Canucks. I am a little sad and weirded out with the fact Sundin will be wearing another jersey with something different than the white and blue of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can you see Jordan in a uniform other than the Bulls? Yes, there was the Wizards but come on. What about Jeter with something other than pinstripes?
I was a little shocked to hear Tiger having to speak in front of the media concerning his caddie's comments about fellow PGA Tour player Phil Mickelson. Come on, this is a caddie, a dude who is hired to carry his clubs while he navigates 18-holes. Why the hell did this caddie, Steve Williams, even say something in the first place. His job is to carry the clubs, give an opinion on shots, shelter him from the rain with an umbrella, and do whatever Tiger wants him to do. But of course, this idiot had to go out and make a rant about Phil.
Michelle Wie finally earned a spot on the LPGA Tour, without help from sponsors or special invitations, by finishing Q-School tied for 7th with a 12-under score.
In the past few years I have been treated to some great basketball from the point guard position. Over this time, I have watched Kidd and Nash dominate defences with their precision passing and ability to control and dictate the pace of a game that suits their needs. Just as Nash took the thunder from Kidd there is a new kid on the block stealing Nash's thunder, enter Chris Paul.
The CFL in Canada does not get any sort of attention outside of Canada and even within the friendly border, people seem to prefer the NFL. Now, the CFL seems to have made a move to disconnect some of their fans from watching the Grey Cup for free.
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