What sucks about this loss…

[Andrew]

It isn’t the fact that the Lakers beat us to tie the division lead (I still believe Suns are better and will win the division) or the fact that Shaq’s debut was in a loss…

But that the fact is Lakers trolls are going to come here and proclaim themselves better than the Suns, when that clearly isn’t the case…

Or better yet, the media won’t hesitate to write and talk about how this game proved the Shaq trade was bad or that the Lakers are “the best team in the West.”

I am not making a big deal out of this, it is 1 game and it’s the first game of the Shaq era…

 

[Hat]

That's the same first thought that came to my head too

Chris is going to be a busy man tomorrow

 

[az1965]

The media folks are idiots if they start saying the trade failed based on the first game the guy played. He hasn't played in a month and is in a complete new system.

However, we should be concerned. This Lakers team is much better than the one we faced last year in playoffs. What makes you think they are not better than us? They have beaten us 3 out of 4 games this season and are now consistently winning games. They are what 10 deep in terms of guys coming in and hitting shots that break your back.

 

[D-Dogg]

Are you conflicted from when you were previously a Laker fan? That's got to be hard, man. Getting traded from team to team with your guy. Do you go back as far as Orlando?

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Shaq's debut was a success... 15 points, 9 rebounds and he moved well. It was more than I expected from a player that has been out something like 4-6 weeks and still not in game shape. The Lakers are a nice team but I am not ready to anoint them. The games will be decided on the court in the playoffs. Too bad Raja got walloped in the head because he was doing a great job defending Kobe when the injury happened. I'm counting on Shaq to upgrade his game in the playoffs and inflict some major pain on opponents. Near the end of the game Shaq started to impose his will in this game. I think he still remembers what a Championship tastes like.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

What rules about this loss is that Amare cant be stopped EVER!

 

[bigfoot]

What rules about this loss is that Amare cant be stopped EVER!

I'm so psyched about this more than anything.

 

[Bufalay]

What rules about this loss is that Amare cant be stopped EVER!

unfortunately he can't stop anyone, so he can't afford to miss a single shot like those 3 layups he blew.

If he wouldn't have gotten lost on Gasol every time Shaq was out of the game the Suns would've won.

 

[BC867]

If he wouldn't have gotten lost on Gasol every time Shaq was out of the game the Suns would've won.

Which is why Brian Skinner should be Shaq's backup Center every minute he's off the floor. Rather than a DNP.

Starting with Boris Diaw's lackadaisical blocked finger-roll shot (instead of a slam), Eddie Johnson criticised him all through the game.

Diaw getting Skinner's minutes neutralizes the Center position -- neutralizes the benefit of Shaq.

 

[Darth Llama]

But that the fact is Lakers trolls are going to come here and proclaim themselves better than the Suns, when that clearly isn’t the case…

Bottom line..

Suns are better then the Lakers till the Lakers prove other wise. The Suns have beat the Lakers out of the playoffs the last 2 seasons, right now they are the better team. Taking the season series is a step toward reversing that, but until they put the Suns out of the playoffs, in my mind, the most they have proven is that they have narrowed the gap.

You won't see me getting all full of myself over this one. The Suns are a hell of a good team, and one I would rather not see in the playoffs. Don't listen to trolls.

 

[chickenhead]

There was no reason to think the Lakers wouldn't be competitive against the Suns even before last night. They're now 3-1 against us and have the only convincing win in the season series. Granted, the Suns were slumping at the time, but they have yet to duplicate the feat themselves.

The Suns will need to start rolling, because the Lakers are only going to be better when Bynum is back.

 

[KOBEnPAU]

I Wonder What You Would Of Said If Phnx Did Win.
Mhmh....

 

[az1965]

I Wonder What You Would Of Said If Phnx Did Win.
Mhmh....

You still can't deny that Lakers are a much improved team and definitely deeper than Suns.

 

[KOBEnPAU]

Oh Absolutly Lakers Would Most Likely Be In 5th Or 4th Place If It Wasnt For Pau.
And I Really Think That If Suns Did Not Get Shaq, They Would Have Won That Game Against The Lakers, Because Of Marion.

 

[az1965]

I'm not too sure about that. Lakers were shooting lights out. Everyone was hitting their J's and layups. I don't think Marion could have stopped everyone. The Lakers are just in that groove right now. Maybe they are that good or maybe the trade rev'd everyone up few notches and it may eventually settle down.