Suns-Lakers: A Preview

It is the first meeting of the year between the two teams who have forged a bitter rivalry of sorts in the post-Shaq era of Lakers. 

The Suns have dominated the Lakers during the better part of these last four years, with Lakers getting ousted from the playoffs during the first round twice at the hands of Phoenix. 

Also, to add the hostility, the Suns have added the one-time Laker and not-best-friend of Kobe, Shaquille O'Neal. 

This should be an entertaining game to watch, as both teams are playing well, play in the same division, and both are the class of the West so far in this young season.  Let's take a look at what both teams have done this season and then I'll go into individual match ups, which are just as entertaining.

Phoenix Suns

Currently standing at 8-4 with a loss coming at the hands of Utah on a second game of a back-to-back on the road.  Their four losses have came at the hands of some pretty tough teams in Hornets, Rockets, Bulls, and Utah—although each one was by at least 10 points. 

The Suns definitely aren't that old Suns that most of us remember for their run-n-gun style of play.  They have settled for a more traditional offensive style, and have been playing much better defense compared to what we have seen from them in the last few years.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have the best winning percentage in the league with a record of 8-1 and are the lone team in the league with only one loss, coming at the hands on the Pistons last Sunday.  

Los Angeles is coming off a victory against the Chicago Bulls, in which they played like a team that can blow out anybody—but only for spurts.  Their offense is much more balanced that it has ever been, and they are trying to become a great defensive team like the Celtics, Rockets, and Spurs, featuring some very aggressive defensive schemes.

These teams have some history between few players, most notably between Kobe and Bell and Kobe and Shaq.  Also, there was a little issue between Bynum and Shaq during Bynum's first season with Lakers while Shaq was still with Miami Heat. 

I am sure these things will be shown over and over before the game.  So lets take a look at the individual matchups.

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