The Western Conference arms race quickly became a game of escalation.
It began quietly at the end of December when Utah got the shooter they desperately needed in Kyle Korver. A deal that has shot the Jazz up the standings but is largely forgotten with the names and teams involved in trades in the past month.
The domino that got everything going was the Lakers straight out thievery of Pau Gasol. Phoenix quickly countered with Shaquille O'Neal; Dallas and San Antonio have since followed with Jason Kidd and Kurt Thomas respectively.
The Suns not only brought in Shaq to counter the Gasol deal but to contend with all of the Bigs in the West that have dominated this team all year long including Duncan and Bynum.
In doing so they addressed three of their biggest problems: interior defense, rebounding and chemistry.
While focusing on matching up with other team's frontcourt they may have unwittingly created a monster in a division opponent's backcourt.
Kobe.
The difference between All Star players and Hall of Famers is focus and motivation. Michael Jordan, the greatest to ever play the game, knew this and created his own motivation to hone his focus. No one has ever been as good as he was at living in his own reality.
What the Suns have done is provide Kobe his ample focus and motivation. Already rebuffed twice by Phoenix in the playoffs Kobe brought his A-game every time he squared off with the Suns. Now he sees his old teammate and biggest adversary in purple and orange.
Imagine if Isaiah Thomas had been traded to the Knicks in the late 80's early 90's. Jordan would have dropped half a hundred every time he visited Madison Square Garden (he nearly did anyway).
They've given Kobe all the fuel he'll ever need and it was evident in their last meeting. He did everything in his power, 41 points on 16-25 shooting, to ensure Shaq would not be victorious in his debut.
Love him or hate him Kobe's the closest thing we've ever seen to MJ on the court. He's already had to watch as Shaq went off and got a title without him, now he's in his division standing directly in his path to his very own title.
It's like poking a stick through the bars at an enraged baboon and laughing only to find, to your horror, that a few feet away the door to the cage was left open. The laughter stops, the sphincter tightents, and you know this will not end well.
I'm scared.
See the latest episode of 2 Big Bald Guys where they discuss Shaq's impact and a crazed fan attempts to replace Steve Nash.
