Can the Lakers topple the Spurs?

The Lakers won Game 3 of their seven game series with the San Antonio Spurs this past Sunday evening in what could have been the turning point of the series, as San Antonio came into the game with a 2-0 lead.

With that win the Lakers put themselves right back into the series. Then, with their 98-90 win in Game 4 on Tuesday night, behind the 42-point performance by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers tied the series 2-2.

However, let's get back to Sunday's game, which San Antonio lost 105-81, because it had to be the ugliest game the San Antonio Spurs have played (on there part) since the beginning of the Tim Duncan era

Tony Parker had trouble shooting the ball and his inside game was shutdown by "The Glove" Gary Payton and the physicalness of Shaquille O'Neal.

Duncan, last year's MVP, put up fairly bad numbers, at least for him. However, he still had a respectable 10 points and 13 rebounds, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

In the first two games of the series, San Antonio dominated and it looked like they would go on to sweep the Lakers.

Parker was destroying the back court and front court of the Lakers, by shooting jumpers and driving the ball hard to the lane.

During Sunday's game, the Lakers hedged the picks and collapsed on Parker when he drove, causing misses, offensive fouls, defensive fouls and turnovers.

The Spurs offense just couldn't get going, as Duncan struggled against the Lakers 2-3 zone and the man-to-man match up with Shaq.

However, San Antonio can't just blame Parker and Duncan for the loss, because the rest of the team was no where in sight.

Bruce Bowen, who has always lacked the aggressivness on offense of most players and relies on his defense to get his money and roster spot, sagged off Bryant, which allowed him to do anything he wanted with the ball.

Robert Horry, who may be the only player in the history of the NBA to only show up during the playoffs, sat the bench most of the game, and then when he did get to play, didn't touch the ball.

Malik Rose, a player who seemed to always be on SportsCenter last year, hasn't been seen or heard from in weeks.

Now, don't get the idea that I am a Lakers' fan, because believe me, if you knew me personally you would know usually have nothing good to say about them.

However, I will say this -- Shaq would be the most dominate player in the league if it wasn't for Bryant.

I would like to see Shaq go back to Orlando because I think Tracy McGrady would gladly give up the rock for a post player and some wins.

That brings up a very good discussion though.

Didn't Gary Payton say he would give up the shots for the ring?

Yet now he complains on live television, to reporters, to his coach and to his teammates about his lack of field goal attempts.

On the other hand, I really want to see Karl Malone get a ring though!

Wouldn't we all?

He has worked his butt off since the day he got in this league, but he never had a great team, and when he did, when Utah finally made it to the NBA Championship, they ran into the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls Dynasty.

Yet time after time, he played his heart out, rebounded and scored play after play and carried his his team on his back.

He hasn't won a championship yet, and in this young man's eye he deserves it. However, at the same time, I know he isn't going to get it this year.