Bryant missed four shots over the next 2 1/2 minutes and the Suns used free throws — two by Nash and four by Barbosa — to go up 88-82 with 6:21 left. Thomas’ 3-pointer with 5:15 to go put Phoenix ahead 93-85 and Barbosa’s 3 made it 98-89 with 3:49 to go.

The Lakers, though, scored six in a row, the last two by Odom inside, to cut it to 98-95 with 2:12 remaining. Smush Parker, who had 15 points, missed what would have been a game-tying 3-pointer. Raja Bell missed a running 14-footer, but Diaw tipped the rebound to Nash, whose 3-pointer put Phoenix ahead 101-95 with 1:07 to go.

Bryant took only three shots in the first quarter, making two of them, as the Lakers tried to take advantage of the Suns’ small size inside.

But Phoenix used a 10-2 run to go up 21-15 on Bell’s two free throws with 5:34 left in the first quarter. Marion’s 3-pointer, followed by Eddie House’s 22-footer gave the Suns a 39-29 lead at the end of the first.

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 Home Game 1

April,23 US Airways Center

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 Home Game 2

April,26 US Airways Center

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Round 1 Home Game 1

April,28 Staples Center

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Round 1 Home Game 2

April,30 Staples Center

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 Home Game 3 (If Necessary)

May,02 US Airways Center

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Round 1 Home Game 3 (If Necessary)

May,04 Staples Center

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 Home Game 4 (If Necessary)

May,06 US Airways Center

Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Round 2 Home Game 1 (Date Subject to Change)

May,07 Staples Center

Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Round 2 Home Game 3 (Date Subject to Change)

May,13 Staples Center

Things aren’t the way they were when Shaq was here.

The Big Aristotle led a team that could “turn it on” when it wanted, playing hard when they felt like it, and the team was expected to make deep playoff runs, let alone qualify for the Second Season. Championships were the measuring stick and anything less would get you removed from your position (Del Harris). Not playing to the best of their abilities, the Lakers could still win plenty of games.

Now? The Lakers fought to get in. We all monitored Jazz, Kings, and Hornets games, throwing up emoticons upon a game picked up in the standings. Nothing was handed to this team and we weren’t always sure which Laker squad would show up on most nights. If they didn’t bring it that night, it was a loss. This Laker squad had to play well to win, not relying on sheer starpower like with in the Bling Dynasty.

With the Lakers starting their first playoff run without the biggest of big men playing in the middle, will our mentality as fans shift as well? Will we no longer expect nothing short of a Championship banner being raised into the rafters?