Co-MVP's Cap Off All Star Weekend!

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By Digger

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant put on quite a show Sunday night. Shaq was the last team West All Star player introduced. He came out wearing a Jabbawockeez mask and then did a "freelance" routine while boogying side by side with his kids favorite group. Then Shaq made his former coach look good. Phil Jackson's West team was trailing by 10 before deciding to send in Shaq off the bench. The West scored 11 in a row with Shaq & Kobe on the floor as part of a 19-0 run and never looked back. O'Neal needed only 11 minutes to slam down 17 points. He had played in 14 straight All Star Games before missing out last year. He was voted in by NBA Coaches and didn't disappoint his home crowd.

Kobe had a great game too. It seemed obvious Shaq was going to be named game MVP. In the 2nd half, Kobe went to work. His 27 points & 23 shots led were game highs.

It was fun watching these two playing on the same team together. Their in game chemistry came back to life as an electified crowd went nuts. Who knows how many more Championships they would have won? LA's star was on the rise as these two delivered 3 consecutive NBA Titles from 1999-2002. Lakers have not won a Championship after the well publicised Kobe/Shaq fued fueled the big mans departure out of LA.

O'Neal and Bryant were voted All Star Game Co-MVP's. Both men have won this award 3 times each (tied for 3rd most). It was a fitting ending seeing these two share this award.

Both said they've made up after years of media driven ill will. Their fallout had become quick Hollywood fodder. Could it be possible there's more too this quick little friendly get together? I wouldn't be overly surprised if these two are reunited in LA before next weekend. Shaq's current team, Phoenix, is about to make some serious changes. News of coach Terry Porter's firing will have been made official by the time most of you have read this. It's rumored the Suns will dismantle their current roster.

Shaq back to LA with Jackson & Kobe? We'll soon find out if LA can push the right buttons in search of another Championship. This move, while unlikely, would do it. Shaq's having a solid season and the Lakers lost starting center Andrew Bynum for the year. Rent-a-Shaq makes perfect sense. Not the best move for Phoenix to trade their biggest gate attraction to a division rival. However, these aren't normal times. Owners/teams cash strapped, etc. A few Suns players names have already been floated between GM's. If LA wants a title now, this makes would really turn up the volume on other NBA teams. LA would then be ready to take down anyone in their path.

NBA trade deadline is right around the corner. I suspect most teams not living up to expectations or in dire straights financially are about to start swapping out players.