There is something special about beating the Suns in Phoenix. For me it dates back to old days at the Phoenix Coliseum where the Magic/Kareem led Lakers of the 80's always had a tough challenge against the Suns. When winning, they have great loud fans with a hate for LA that extends well beyond the court. Well last night they got a new taste for the life of mediocrity. Despite holding Pau Gasol to 4 points, a terrible shooting night from Kobe (8-23), and outrebounding the Lakers, the Suns still managed to lose by 13 while never threatening the Lakers past the first quarter.
The Lakers looked entirely beatable which should sound alarms in Phoenix in what appears to be a slow decline of the Suns. While many teams are stockpiling young talent, the Suns are holding onto old talent.
And the game should not have even been this close. The Suns kept relatively close with what seems like half a dozen 3 point "and-one" plays at the basket. This does concern me. One such instance involved Bynum - who, once again, played soft and timid.
I just don't get the guy. I made a call into Lakerline on Thursday night after the victory over Chicago to say that he is playing like a guy who just signed a big contract. Matt Money, of course, defended Bynum - but watching again last night further supports my argument. Watch him try to body on any rebound. He won't. He screens are soft and his man up defense is pathetic. If this continues, come playoffs he will shrink.
Player of the game (besides Kobe): Vlad-Rad - 5-5 3's. Killer shots. Honorable mention to Lamar. How could the Lakers not sign this guy?
Did you notice: The Suns come out in the third in a 3-2 zone only to have the Lakers quickly break it down with a nice baseline bounce base to Lamar for the layup. Then have the Lakers go into a weak-side zone whenever Shaq was in the game (of course due to Bynum's foul issues)?
Did you notice part 2: After an embarrassing facial on a Luke Walton jump shot, Walton calming inbounded the ball in front of the still celebrating Suns bench. Walton stepped into the corner, waited for the pass, and then drained the 3. The look back was classic.
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