O'Neal will make his Phoenix debut Wednesday against the Lakers. This is a must see game for all Laker fans!
I'm not that excited, honestly. We're not at full strength. We don't get to see Bynum embarrass him. Both Amare and Shaq are also very physical, so I'm kind of worried to see how Gasol reacts to that. I hope he can handle it, because if he's effective, there is no doubt in my mind that we should win the game. Is it crazy that I'd start Mbenga against Shaq? Fisher, Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Mbenga.
I'm excited, but I'd be more excited if Bynum were playing. At least we'll have the opportunity to pull within a half game of the division lead with a win.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 15 2008, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm not that excited, honestly. We're not at full strength. We don't get to see Bynum embarrass him. Both Amare and Shaq are also very physical, so I'm kind of worried to see how Gasol reacts to that. I hope he can handle it, because if he's effective, there is no doubt in my mind that we should win the game. Is it crazy that I'd start Mbenga against Shaq? Fisher, Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Mbenga.</div> Yeah, without Bynum, you've gotta get this nervous feeling that Shaq might actually make a difference. With Bynum, of course, I'd say 10+ difference ftw. Get ready for some Gasol foul trouble. It's looking extremely possible for this game.
I know non-Laker fans are thinking we're hyping Bynum up too much when they read posts like mine, but if they've seen every game...they know that Bynum was on a path to start averaging 15+ and 10+ before he went down with injury. That's why I'm not excited for this matchup, I don't think Shaq would've been able to handle's Bynum's explosiveness. Very disappointed, now. I really don't think Gasol will have much of an impact stopping Amare or Shaq, and like you stated, I'm worried about him in foul trouble. We need to play the game that we did the first two times we played the Suns...make Nash beat us by letting him score at will, but cutting off his passing lanes.
Let's be honest with ourselves guys. Radmanovic can't handle Stoudemire and Gasol is puny compared to Shaq. I forecast a loss, although as always, I'll be rooting for a Laker win.
How can you guys not be excited about this game? We get to watch Shaq struggle up and down the court and completely disrupt the Suns rhythm on the court. Imagine how the Suns are going to feel when we beat them without Bynum. Shaq can be defended by single coverage these days and Gasol is a nightmare matchup for him on the defensive end. The Lakers can pick and roll Shaq all game long.
Gasol is going to take a pounding, one lowered shoulder from Shaq has the ability to snap Gasol in half.
I'm excited for this game, but the reality to the matter is that Shaq and Amare are probably going to kill us since Gasol and Radmanovic are going to get beat. I could understand Gasol guarding either Shaq or Amare but he could ony guard one so the other one is going to run lose.
I think Odom will be the player defending Amare and Gasol on Shaq. If Shaq lowers his shoulder, Gasol will draw the charge. He's very good at establishing position and taking the contact.
I'm not worried about Shaq, he's much more inconsistant in scoring. With the Sun's speedy offense, I don't see Shaq making a effective difference. I think Suns though, are going to try to get Shaq started early which might be to our advantage because like I said he's not hitting his baby hooks anymore.
