LAKERS vs SUNS (PRE-GAME REPORT)

BREAKING NEWS:
Sun trade: Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Sean Singletary.
For: Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley of the Charlotte Bobcats.

While the Lakers took another loss last night, the Phoenix Suns took a 125-110 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Though the Suns Won their last two, they've also lost 4 of their last 6 games.
Undermanned because of the trade(which I can't confirm but I'm pretty sure), not only will Diaw and Bell not play, but also due to a death in the family Shaquille O'neal will not be attending tonights game. Which means either Amare will move up to the center position, or the Suns will start the hustling rookie Robin Lopez. And in the absence of Bell will most likely be Barbosa taking the shooting guard position(up until Jason Richardson joins the line-up). The Last time these two teams met, the Lakers won 105-92.

This Phoenix team still searching for it's identity. For the past couple of years this team has been known as a running team while under the coaching of Mike D'Antoni. With D'Antoni gone, and Coach Porter in, this team is now confused. With the running mentality embedded in their mind, Terry Porter is trying to focus their offense around Shaq making them a half-court team. Almost nullifying Nash's quick moves to the basket. Shaq had a good point when he said that if this team really wanted to be a running team, they should just go out there and run. They don't need permission. Amare has also been opening his mouth saying he wants to be the "Go-To-Guy" in tough games. Charles Barkley said is he wants to be a go-to-guy, he should just go out there and do it. Put up numbers and stuff, because you don't see Kobe or LeBron sayin "I want". You see Kobe and LeBron just doing it like Nike.

With the Suns undermanned and the Lakers coming off a loss. The Lakers better come out blazing and take advantage of the mismatches early on in the game. If they can't find a way to contain Steve Nash it'll be hard for them(which seems to be one of the Lakers biggest weakness' in containing point guards). And if Los Angeles comes out playing like they did last night, don't expect a win tonight unless the Suns do allot worse.