Steve Fan has been out of commission this last week after having awesomeness reduction surgery.  He’ll be back in the swing of things next week.  Our Fanster colleague Greg Esposito stepped up to the plate to discuss the history between the Suns and Lakers and what to expect for tonight and the near future.  Here goes…

Mark: the Suns have a huge game tonight with the Lakers.  I classify it as a big game for a couple of reasons.  First, the Lakers have been christened the greatest thing since sliced bread by those in the baskeball media, and with good reason.  I’ll admit it, they’re pretty darn good.  The game will be a nice test for the Suns to see how far along they are in their development as a team.

Next, it’s Suns/Lakers, simple as that.  Plenty of history between the teams, and no love lost.  I, for one, truly despise the Lakers and cannot help but cringe every time I see a Kobe Bryant jersey.

Over the years, the Suns have more often than not ended up with the proverbial short end of the stick, with the Lakers frequently smacking them around with it.

With the Spurs at least temporarily dead and buried, it sure looks like the Lakers are in position to pick up where they left off half a decade or so ago and continue tormenting the Suns.

Are we in for more heartbreak?  Or are the Lakers masters of smoke and mirrors?  And am I alone in my unhealthy, crippling hatred for all things Lakers?

Greg: This is obviously a huge game for the Suns for the pure fact that the Lakers have supplanted the Suns as the cream of the crop in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference. If the Suns want to be taken seriously, a win against the Lakers would go a long way in gaining credibility.

One reason this game shouldn’t be looked at as a major match up is the Kobe/Shaq “feud”. People need to give up on that angle. Did I find Shaq’s “tell me how my … tastes” rap entertaining? Hell yes but it’s not a feud any more than it’s a sideshow, and mostly something to entertain the big man when he is bored.

This game is going to be all about the other match ups. Shaq versus Bynum, Amare versus Gasol, Raja or Barnes against Kobe. I’m not sure the Suns come out on the better side of said match ups though.

The Suns are on the down turn, as much as it pains me to say, and unfortunately, the Lakers are on the upswing.  I don’t think the Suns are quite ready to be the Lakers whipping boy, but there is only a year or two left for the Suns to be a viable Western Conference contender.

I like that you can’t stand the Lakers.  Any win against them is a good one. It’s the closest thing to a true rival the Suns have. It’s next to impossible not to despise the likes of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant if you aren’t a Lakers fan.

I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m a Suns fan or some rational, logical thinking but I don’t see the Lakers as the real deal. I certainly think they are good, but not yet a complete basketball team and at some point this season it will show. I don’t buy into the fact that all of a sudden Kobe is a “team guy” and that Odom, Bynum and Gasol can all co-exist and “get theirs’.

My thing is are the Suns to old or slow to keep up with the Lakers?  Will a few days off before this game give the Suns enough energy not to come out flat like they did against the Jazz and Bulls earlier this season?

And are you as confused as I am about who this team really is and what they are really capable of? One moment I think they are world beaters, the next I don’t know what they are. I’m hoping the Lakers game provides some answers.

Mark: Suns too old?  Nonsense!  Well…maybe.  Their odometers have turned over quite a few times, that’s for sure.

I’m not too concerned about a letdown or lack of energy from the Suns come Thursday night.  It’s a home game against the best team in the West, a team their fanbase almost universally loathes.  If they can’t get up for this game, the team may as well pack it up.  Besides, they should have plenty of rest after playing practically no defense in Utah.

I’m still not sure what this Suns team has and what they’re capable of, but the Lakers are a good enough team to provide us the answers we’re seeking.  As you said, it will be interesting to see how the matchups play out, especially Bynum and Shaq.  I can’t imagine Shaquille is happy with the attention his de facto replacement has received the last couple of years and will come out in full “I must break you” mode.  Whether or not he’s able to bust him up, or even prevent him from blocking a dunk attempt like Paul Millsap did the other night, remains to be seen.

I would agree with you regarding the Lakers and their chances this year.  They’re incredible on paper and have started the year off hot, but it’s far too early to crown them as kings of the NBA, or even the Western Conference.

My biggest concern with the Lakers and the possibility of their dominating the league the next few years, is what seems to be an inferiority complex Suns fans have developed the last few years.  I’m not certain if the example set by Coach D’s foot-stomping antics have anything to do with it, but at some point this fanbase needs to let go of what happened with Amare and Boris a couple of years ago, and not be so quick to whine when things don’t go perfectly.

I can’t help but think the tremendous success the Lakers have had (often at the Suns expense) has contributed to this phenomenon.

Greg: The Suns are old but not incapable of winning. They just need their rest.

How can Suns fans help but feel inferior? 40 years without an NBA Championship while always seeming to be a playoff contender will do that.  Seeing as the Suns don’t have a championship banner to call their own, fans have every right to feel like they aren’t as good as the likes of the Lakers and the Spurs.

The only way to get past this complex is for Shaq to play like a beast this season, Nash to find his groove and Amare to be MVP and the Suns shock people by winning it all.

Shaq can prove a lot tomorrow night by taking Bynum to school and dominating. It would be equally as nice if Amare could do the same with Gasol. This game is huge when it comes to perception around the league and for the Suns own confidence this season.

My main concern is there ability to box out and keep the Lakers off the boards, specifically on the offensive boards. Rebounding was a huge issue against the Jazz, and Amare, Shaq, Lopez and the rest of the bigs need to step it up against Gasol, Bynum and Odum.

Also where the heck is the bench? They are hit or miss. Consistency is key from them.  I think it might be time to start Hill and bring Barnes off the bench.

Another question, are the Suns tougher than the Lakers?

Mark: I would agree, a championship would cure all.

The bench has been frustrating thus far but continuity has been an issue.  With Barnes’ suspension and twins, and the passing of LB’s mother, the rotation is difficult for Coach Porter to set.  Once the dust settles and the team is thrown their last curveball, this will be one of the better benches in the league.

As for the toughness of the Lakers, any team with Pau Gasol as their power forward cannot be, by definition, considered tough.  I think back to Alvin Gentry’s desciption of Michael Olawokandi in :07 or Less when looking at Pau play basketball.

Time to wrap this up, last question.  Suns by 100, right?

Greg: Lakers by 5. I just think that the bench will once again be the downfall of the Suns. I don’t see them stepping up big enough to win the game and out do the Lakers bench. Also I think foul trouble will be a big issue for the Suns. Amare, Shaq, and Barnes/Bell all have tough assignments and I think they will have a lot of trouble. Lakers 104, Suns 99.

Mark: I’m going to stay with my original prediction.  Suns 104 - Lakers 4.  The new and improved Suns defense will get the job done, and Amare, Shaq and Nash will have their way with Kobe and Co.  So it is written, so it shall be.

// Click here to read the rest from Black Jesus Disciples

November 20th, 2008 9:57 AM

Subscribe to your favorite Phoenix team or sport or Follow us on Twitter.