Lakers

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