Lakers lose to the Phoenix Suns, 125-105.

Kobe sat out the game with a shin injury. He’s averaged 38.5 ppg against the Suns this season, so you can imagine how much he was missed offensively.

Pau Gasol had perhaps his best offensive game this season in Kobe’s absence, dropping 30 points and 13 rebounds. Andrew Bynum also benefitted from Kobe’s seat on the bench, attempting 27 field goals. Unfortunately Shannon Brown scored 24 on the Lakers, Michael Redd 23, and Steve Nash had 11 assists en route to the thrashing.

No player on the Lakers had a positive +/-. Every player on the Suns except one was positive.

Thoughts?

gotemcoach:

SHANNON BROWN OPTS OUT

Shooting guard, Shannon Brown will test free agency (ya know, when basketball exists again), instead of resigning with the Lakers for an estimated 2.4 million dollars. 

While Brown could return to LA, he most likely will accept a new role and more money elsewhere, leaving this as my fondest Shannon Brown memory.

With about 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Game 6, Pau Gasol threw a lob pass from the 3-point line that Shannon Brown slammed home for a 20-point lead.  [WATCH]  It was at this precise moment I started believing the Lakers had forced the deciding Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

@gotem_coach

Next time you watch a Lakers game, watch Shannon Brown on defense. Forget when he overplays his man and gets driven past, far too often. Forget when he strands off of his man when he isn’t doing the aforementioned, giving up a wide open jumper. Watch Shannon Brown after a shot goes up when he’s near the basket. Then tell me … have you ever seen someone jump up so high to grab a rebound? It’s almost beautiful.

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Shannon Brown’s Putback Dunk during Game 1 of the first round series against the New Orleans Hornets.

We can almost forgive Shannon Brown for having a +/- of -12 for this dunk. Let that boy fly.

(NBAE/Getty Images)

nbaoffseason:

Throw it down, Shannon Brown!

Via @JAdande & NBA.com

@Suga_Shane

One of those photos you feel like you gotta have in poster form.

bueller:

oakleyandallen:

Shannon tells gravity to hold its horses.  

Song by Bronze Nazareth

silly. 

Oh Shannon …

(Source: oakleyandallen)

Shannon had 17 points off the bench, with three three-pointers.

gotemcoach:

Shannon Brown in Denver’s thin air.