Time To See How Much Fuel The "Diesel" Has Left In The Tank

This seems like eons ago, a happy Shaq and Kobe together. Its been three struggling seasons since the departure of Shaq for Miami, but finally the Lakers have got the pieces around Kobe to be a championship caliber club. The first few years without Shaq looked bleak for Bryant, having to carry the team with 40 and 50 point games just to keep it close. Then there was Bryant's legal troubles, everything seemed to be on the decline for Bryant. As for Shaq nothing could have been better, pairing with Dwayne Wade the Heat captured a NBA Championship in 2006. It was going great for Shaq, he was living life and just being the normal "Shaq". Then came this season, Bryant's future in LA at the start of the season looked dismal. There were trade rumors swirling around the world's best player, but nothing was ever executed. Instead, the Lakers began to gel and young Andrew Bynum started showing signs of brilliance. Then in a stunning move Laker GM Mitch Kupchak was able to aquire former All-Star Pau Gasol from Memphis for basically nothing. This shot the Lakers up the Western Conference totem pole. Now the Lakers are considered a top 3 contender for the title. As for Shaq this season hasn't started too well. After an injury plagued and poor start to the season for the Heat, Miami decided to ship O'Neal to Phoenix for Shawn Marion. Many have questioned the Suns (myself being one) logic in bringing in the 7 ft 330 pounder, especially with the up and down system they run. But the Suns and Shaq both seem to think this is gonna be what puts them "over the top". Tonight is our first glimpse of Shaq in Phoenix and how convenient he will be going against Kobe and the Lakers. Should be a very entertaining game, but I have to go with my boys, Lakers by 8.