Did the Lakers/Suns rivalry just get better?

[remingtonbo2001]

This current Laker squad will mop the floor with PHX if they meet in the playoffs.

The fact that the Suns traded Marion for Shaq proves how scared less they are of the Lakers. In fact if I told you during the offseason that Marion would be moved for Shaq you'd prob. die of laughter.

[Avitus1]

It just got down graded.

[himat]

I hope they meet in the first round, but that probably won't happen. Again the WC playoffs are going to be insane. In the East it is most likely going to be Boston and Detroit with Cleveland as a darkhorse.

[Findog]

Okay, dip . Dwayne Wade has been treated with the respect he deserves by Maverick fans. Sports talk radio in Dallas doesn't suggest that Dallas got screwed by the refs or suggest that any of Wade's trips to the foul line were less than legitimate. That the Suns fans are the worst whiners in history doesn't change the fact that Mavericks fans are second.

I didn't say anything about Mav fans. I'm saying the Mavericks themselves comported themselves with class after both those series. The Suns still whine and complain about how the Spurs and the league were out to get them.

As for this Mavs fan and his take on Dwyane Wade, Game Five was officiated poorly. There are three other Miami wins in that series that can't be blamed on anybody but Miami outplaying Dallas.

And Spurs fans of course were quick to credit the Mavs and not whine about the officiating. All fanbases pretty much behave the same.

[anakha]

stretch: "can't win without interior defense or rebounding"

Suns get a guy who fills both those voids.

stretch: "turrrable, just turrable."

Dunno about the rebounding, considering O'Neal's stats this year compared to Marion's. Rebounding-wise, it seems like a lateral move at best.

Interior defense? O'Neal's certainly a sizeable presence inside, but effort-wise, he's looked mostly off this year. Hopefully, he can at least bring some energy now that he's been traded.