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http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_lakers_notes_21.43ce967.html
[SIZE=+2]Shaq Calls Kobe 'the Best'
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]12:12 AM PST on Thursday, February 21, 2008
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise[/SIZE] PHOENIX - Shaquille O'Neal, who has made up with Kobe Bryant and seems more at ease with the Lakers, offered nothing but praise.
O'Neal, more than three years removed from his days with LA, had kind words about Bryant and the Lakers before making his Suns debut Wednesday night.
"Kobe is the best player in the game right now, and the Lakers are playing very well," O'Neal said. "This is probably a team that we will have to see in the playoffs. So it's going to be a good test."
The Lakers and Suns have met in the playoffs the past two years, with Phoenix the winner both times. Coach Phil Jackson and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni have exchanged words.
This has become a more intense rivalry, and now O'Neal has been added to the mix.
"I don't know if it can be any more (intense)," D'Antoni said. "It's pretty good. ... Hopefully, we don't meet them in the playoffs.
"It's a great rivalry. It's not heated. It's just good for basketball -- good competition, and with Shaq it just draws attention even more. And we've added one of the most dominant players in the league in the last 15 years on our team, so we feel pretty good."
O'Neal said he will defer to Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire and doesn't need as many touches as in past years.
"This is a well-oiled machine," O'Neal said. "I don't want to be the spark plug that slows us down."
The Suns know the Lakers improved by acquiring Pau Gasol and "feel like we have a better chance and are better prepared to win a championship" with O'Neal, D'Antoni said.
"That has to galvanize you, as it has the Lakers. You watch them the last few games with Gasol, they have an extra bounce in their step and they're playing really well. They've got a little bit of a head start on us, but we'll try to catch up."
Spurs Make Their Move
The Western Conference became more competitive Wednesday when the defending champion Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry and Francisco Elson.
"There's no doubt about the fact that P. J. would send him on over to San Antonio without any hesitation," Coach Phil Jackson said, referring to Sonics coach P. J. Carlesimo, who was an assistant with San Antonio for five seasons.
The Spurs joined the Suns and Mavericks in making improvements in the aftermath of the Gasol trade. So what will it take for a team to come out of the West?
"It's going to come down to who has the best goal-line 'D.' Who's got the best red-zone D. Who can stop teams, like the New York City football Giants," said Lamar Odom, a native New Yorker. "Who has the best defensive team at the end of the year, that's who is going to advance."
More Lakers Notes
Sasha Vujacic (15 points) scored in double figures for the seventh time in 10 games this month.
Corona's D. J. Strawberry had two assists in five scoreless minutes for the Suns.
Reach Broderick Turner at [email protected]
[SIZE=+2]Shaq Calls Kobe 'the Best'
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]12:12 AM PST on Thursday, February 21, 2008
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise[/SIZE] PHOENIX - Shaquille O'Neal, who has made up with Kobe Bryant and seems more at ease with the Lakers, offered nothing but praise.
O'Neal, more than three years removed from his days with LA, had kind words about Bryant and the Lakers before making his Suns debut Wednesday night.
"Kobe is the best player in the game right now, and the Lakers are playing very well," O'Neal said. "This is probably a team that we will have to see in the playoffs. So it's going to be a good test."
The Lakers and Suns have met in the playoffs the past two years, with Phoenix the winner both times. Coach Phil Jackson and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni have exchanged words.
This has become a more intense rivalry, and now O'Neal has been added to the mix.
"I don't know if it can be any more (intense)," D'Antoni said. "It's pretty good. ... Hopefully, we don't meet them in the playoffs.
"It's a great rivalry. It's not heated. It's just good for basketball -- good competition, and with Shaq it just draws attention even more. And we've added one of the most dominant players in the league in the last 15 years on our team, so we feel pretty good."
O'Neal said he will defer to Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire and doesn't need as many touches as in past years.
"This is a well-oiled machine," O'Neal said. "I don't want to be the spark plug that slows us down."
The Suns know the Lakers improved by acquiring Pau Gasol and "feel like we have a better chance and are better prepared to win a championship" with O'Neal, D'Antoni said.
"That has to galvanize you, as it has the Lakers. You watch them the last few games with Gasol, they have an extra bounce in their step and they're playing really well. They've got a little bit of a head start on us, but we'll try to catch up."
Spurs Make Their Move
The Western Conference became more competitive Wednesday when the defending champion Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry and Francisco Elson.
"There's no doubt about the fact that P. J. would send him on over to San Antonio without any hesitation," Coach Phil Jackson said, referring to Sonics coach P. J. Carlesimo, who was an assistant with San Antonio for five seasons.
The Spurs joined the Suns and Mavericks in making improvements in the aftermath of the Gasol trade. So what will it take for a team to come out of the West?
"It's going to come down to who has the best goal-line 'D.' Who's got the best red-zone D. Who can stop teams, like the New York City football Giants," said Lamar Odom, a native New Yorker. "Who has the best defensive team at the end of the year, that's who is going to advance."
More Lakers Notes
Sasha Vujacic (15 points) scored in double figures for the seventh time in 10 games this month.
Corona's D. J. Strawberry had two assists in five scoreless minutes for the Suns.
Reach Broderick Turner at [email protected]
