Suns vs Lakers Nov.20

[LV-Suns]

Suns vs Lakers
8:30 PM
TNT

Lakers-Suns Preview
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A report surfaced last week that Shaquille O’Neal might want to end his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. They probably don’t have any interest in him right now.

His latest reunion with Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson already made this matchup of the Pacific Division’s top teams intriguing, but O’Neal’s recent comments -- besides the fines levied against him -- have heightened the interest as the Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Despite being signed with Phoenix (8-4) through next season, O’Neal told the Sacramento Bee he would be interested in going back to the Lakers after his current contract expires. He won three straight championships alongside Bryant in Los Angeles from 2000-02, though a feud between the two was blamed for why the dynasty ended and O’Neal was traded to Miami.

The report, however, also had O’Neal saying Jackson orchestrated much of the problems with Bryant and never helped get the superstars on the same page. It wasn’t until two years ago when O’Neal and Bryant seemingly mended the relationship.

Los Angeles (8-1) is doing just fine along the frontline without O’Neal.

Before the Suns got O’Neal at last season’s trade deadline, the Lakers acquired 7-footer Pau Gasol and he helped get them to the NBA finals. That run came without an injured Andrew Bynum, and the 21-year-old center has returned this season to help Los Angeles to the league’s best record.

While Bynum has averaged 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds as he continues to work his way back from knee surgery, Gasol is contributing 17.6 points and 10.1 boards per game. Bryant, meanwhile, is averaging 24.3 points and 19.3 field-goal attempts -- both his lowest since 2003-04 in O’Neal’s final season with the Lakers.

On Tuesday, Gasol scored a season-high 34 points while Bynum had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in a 116-109 victory over Chicago.

"Me and Andrew, it’s hard to match up," Gasol said. "I think we should make a consistent effort to do that every game. You’ve got two guys who can produce. They’re easy looks, 10-footers -- high-percentage shots."

O’Neal has had an uneven season, but lately it’s featured some bad moments. He was fined $25,000 for his role in an altercation against Houston last week, then fined $35,000 for verbally abusing an official and failing to leave the court quickly after being ejected for a hard foul on Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey on Sunday.

"Doesn’t matter to me," O’Neal said. "I’m not the one that can be controlled with fines, so that doesn’t matter to me."

The latest fine came down Monday, the same day he finished a game with only one rebound for the first time this decade in a 109-97 loss at Utah.

"We just have to suck this one up because we have another good team which we play on Thursday and we got to get ready for that," said O’Neal, who had nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.

The only game in which he faced the Lakers in a Phoenix uniform -- and the most recent between these teams -- came on Feb. 20, when he had 15 points and nine rebounds in a 130-124 loss. Bryant scored 41 points and Gasol added 29.

At 4-0, Los Angeles is the only team without a road loss this season. The Suns are 3-2 at home and they lost both meetings with the Lakers at US Airways Center last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=281120021
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[abomb]

Going to the game thanks to my wife's aunt and cousin. Always a good time. Go Lakers!

 

[mojorizen7]

Going to the game thanks to my wife's aunt and cousin. Always a good time. Go Lakers!

I smell a SUNS win and i'll bet that smells better than Shaqs' a$$.
Have fun at the game.

 

[jagu]

I hope by the end of tomorrow night we can all sing along with Shaq, "Kobe tell me how my a$$ tastes!"

 

[cobbler]

I think it's a shame that someone who has had such a great career has to make a fool of himself with comments clearly made to try to keep the ever diminishing limelight on himself.

As if the Lakers would ever want his sorry a$$ back after all the bridges he burned.

A true laugher....

 

[mojorizen7]

Yeah Shaq's in love with himself & the limelight but you've got 3 less championships without him & if it were me(a Laker fan) i'd be a little less critical of his BS.

 

[dodie53]

go Suns!

 

[AfroSuns]

With enough rest, Shaq and Bynum should match up pretty well, and Amare should dominate Gasol (KG style) he cant stop him. This is going to be one physical game especially with the addition of Barnes and i LOVE it.
Kome will have to worry about not one but two people that can clothesline his A$$ if he doesn't keep his elbow in check.


GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Going to the game thanks to my wife's aunt and cousin. Always a good time. Go Lakers!

What's wrong. Did I not get invited to this one too?

 

[Cheesebeef]

we is gonna get smoked tonight. If this team couldn't play with West pretenders like Houston or NO, ain't no way they're gonna be able to hang with the Laker buzzsaw at this moment.

 

[abomb]

I think it's a shame that someone who has had such a great career has to make a fool of himself with comments clearly made to try to keep the ever diminishing limelight on himself.

As if the Lakers would ever want his sorry a$$ back after all the bridges he burned.

A true laugher....

I have come full circle on Shaq. I love the guy. He is a ridiculous ass, but I will be forever in awe of his time with the Lakers.

Jerry Buss is all class (except when he is tripled up on 21yo, driving drunk down the PCH) and I am willing to bet he would have Shaq back for a ceremonial signing/retirement. #34 will also go into the rafters someday soon and that will be an awesome sight.

What's wrong. Did I not get invited to this one too?

We are also getting a tour of the arena before the game.

 

[Covert Rain]

we is gonna get smoked tonight. If this team couldn't play with West pretenders like Houston or NO, ain't no way they're gonna be able to hang with the Laker buzzsaw at this moment.

Sadly I agree. The Lakers are playing really really well right now. Not sure that The Suns have enough.

I say be December 12, this team will either be in serious trouble or be in really good shape. By then we would have played through all the tough teams and no where we really stand this season.

 

[TJ]

Going to the game thanks to my wife's aunt and cousin. Always a good time. Go Lakers!

abomb,

What section?? I'll be at the Lexus Club sec. 122.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

We are also getting a tour of the arena before the game.

That doesn't answer my question punk!

So, I got jipped on my Bond tickets and only got 2. Do you still want to go to the movies/sushi? I'll pay for one if you pay for one.

 

[abomb]

abomb,

What section?? I'll be at the Lexus Club sec. 122.

Not sure. I think they are LL though.

That doesn't answer my question punk!

So, I got jipped on my Bond tickets and only got 2. Do you still want to go to the movies/sushi? I'll pay for one if you pay for one.

Hmmm, we may have to abort that plan. I feel like I am going to spend all day Saturday getting ready for Sunday. ha ha

 

[Bufalay]

Shaq is going to explode for another solid 1-rebound performance.

Amare is going to shoot a low percentage because Bynum and Gift Gasol are too tall.

Suns will win by 20.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Not sure. I think they are LL though.



Hmmm, we may have to abort that plan. I feel like I am going to spend all day Saturday getting ready for Sunday. ha ha

You still didn't answer my question.

You should be a politician with all of your deflection.

 

[mojorizen7]

http://www.tomokaindian.com/GoodOldBoys.html
You guys ever heard of cell phones? Voice mail? Text messaging? Email?

 

[Skumbag]

get ready for another 20 point blowout. =(

 

[jagu]

I hope they play hard. Raja Bell better stop Kobe because we all know Bell isn't scoring lol. I'll be pessimistic and say the Suns lose 107-89. Prove me wrong Suns! I hope Diesel goes off on the Lakers.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have come full circle on Shaq. I love the guy. He is a ridiculous ass, but I will be forever in awe of his time with the Lakers.

Jerry Buss is all class (except when he is tripled up on 21yo, driving drunk down the PCH) and I am willing to bet he would have Shaq back for a ceremonial signing/retirement. #34 will also go into the rafters someday soon and that will be an awesome sight.

abomb, you are and have always been the only Laker fan who actually can look at things objectively. kudos my good man.

Even when I hated the Lakers I could appreciate Shaq's "assiness". Dude's just a big (or gigantic) kid.

 

[TJ]

This will be a close game. I think Shaq and Amare get up for this game.

 

[abomb]

abomb, you are and have always been the only Laker fan who actually can look at things objectively. kudos my good man.

Even when I hated the Lakers I could appreciate Shaq's "assiness". Dude's just a big (or gigantic) kid.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Thanks for the kind words.

you'll shut yer mouth if you know what's good for you!

 

[D-Dogg]

Meh...the freaking cardinals are winning games, people.


ffs, i'm still riding the high of a finals trip last year, i'm watching these games but not seeing them. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Lakers drop this one even. And I won't care.