The Lakerhead

Suns Try Slow Game, Fast Game, To No Avail

The Phoenix Suns were playing their game.  They were dumping the ball into Shaq, who was animated and successful (6-12fg , 15 points, 9 rebounds).  Nash was running the show to finish with 10 assists.  Amare was getting his high flying layups on cuts.  The only problem was, they were losing.

The Lakers showed off their half-court offense, Gasol to Radmonovic for three, swish.  Kobe to Odom for the reverse layup.  Kobe with a crossover and runner.  The Laker lead ballooned to 13 at the end of the third.  Terry Porter decided to go small and run with the Lakers.  Did he have a choice?  The quiet Arizona stadium, along with everyone else, could feel the Lakers had complete control of the game and the talent advantage was beginning to show up in the scoreboard.

Of course, as soon as the Suns went small, the Lakers matched it.  Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, and Trevor Ariza picked the Suns apart in the start of the 4th quarter.  Shaq was never asked to go back in the game.  It was pointless.  The outcome of the game was inevitable, regardless of how the Suns played.

Before the game started, the Suns were tied for 2nd in the Western Conference at 8-4.  After the game, the Lakers showed how far away the rest of the West truly is.