Balanced Attack Leads to 2-0 Lakers Lead

While not a total ass whupping by the Champs the Lakers still ran 124 on the under size Suns with Kobe being more a facilitator dishing a playoff career high 13 assists. The Suns came back from 14 and hung around but in the end just do not have the size to compete against LA, at least not in the first two games. The Suns shot 49% 41% from the 3 point line, dished out 29 assists had 7 steals, lost the rebound battle to the tall Lakers by only 5, how in the hell can they lose? Well Lakers shot over 56% in from the floor, including from downtown, where is the D. It was a much better game overall for the Suns Jason Richardson scored a team high 27 points, Grant Hill turned back the clock and scored 23, Nash had a double double including 15 assists and Jared Dudley found his touch and hit 5/5 from downtown for 15 points off the bench. The key for the Suns before the series started was supposed to be the bench, but they were outscored again in game 2 by the Lakers biggest weakness, their reserves. "Lucky" Lamar had another double double this time 17 and 11, Farmar hit all 3 of his 3 and finished with 11, and Shannon Brown contributed 8 in limited minutes. The starters sans Fisher did well as they were dared to shoot and time and time burned the Suns, Ron Ron chipped in 18, Bynum was 5/5 and the dynamic duo of Gasol and Kobe combined for 60 pts. The scene now shifts to Phoenix where the Suns should shoot better, but where the Lakers won the last meeting. The Lakers cannot get into a shooting contest against Phoenix, they must continue to pound the ball inside and take advantage of their size, I like the Lakers chances to steal a win on Sunday especially with Mamba continuing to get rest, about the only negative thing for the Lakers is the health of Andrew Bynum who will be needed when the inevitable rematch against the Celtics is official.

Player of the Game: Pau Gasol continues to be as important as Mamba for the Lakers success. Pau tore it up in the 4th scoing 14 of his game high 29 pts pulled down 9 rebounds and dished out 5 dimes.

X-Factor: Ron Artest smart shot selection and hot shooting made the Phoenix plan to make Kobe a passer fail.

Should Have Been Benched: Mr. dependable quiet leader Derek Fisher had an off night hitting only 2/7 for 7 points he did dish out 5 assists.

Laker Hater: Grant Hill took at least 15 shot only 1 other time this season. While very capable of scoring he is no longer the explosive offensive force he once was, on game 2 though he single handley led a big 3rd quarter by Phoenix, it's cool to see him healthy again.

Overtime: 20 Yrs ago I witnessed the Lakers not making to the final four for the first time in 8 years also against the Phoenix Suns. I boycotted basketball after that out of disgust and did not see another game until the Finals. The particular '90 team was the last team coached by Pat Riley and the first without hall of famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 16 Yrs. The had the best record in the league and were favored to win the west. The quick Suns led by Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers used their speed and athletism to dismiss the last declining Showtime Lakers. Laker great and fan favorite Michael Cooper would play his final season with the team and future Laker fan favorite and later nemesis Vlade Divac impressed hoop fans in his rookie season. Magic Johson scored over 40 points in the last three games, all losses. The fastbreak finishing trio of Worthy, Scott, and Green had a very disspointing series. The Suns won the next 3 series against the Lakers ('93,'06,'07).