Steve Nash Goes Back To The Future [PHOTO]

Kobe Bryant Demands Lakers Either Trade Pau Gasol Now Or Say They Won't

About 45 minutes after the Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Phoenix on Sunday night, Kobe Bryant walked out of the trainers' area of the visiting locker room and spoke his mind about how his employers are handling possible trade discussions involving Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Gasol has been the subject of many trade rumors recently and was part of the aborted deal before the season that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers.

According to Kobe, it's hard for Gasol to "invest himself completely or immerse himself completely in the game with all this trade talk."

This was clearly on Bryant's mind as he initiated the discussion and then went on to make his point in no uncertain terms.

"I wish management would come out and either trade him or not trade him," he said.

"I'd rather for them to not trade him at all. If they want to do something, I wished they'd just fucking do it, and if they're not going to do it come out and say you're not going to do it. ...This way he can be comfortable and he can go out and he can perform and he can play and invest all of himself into (the team)."

Bryant added that he thinks the core group of himself, Gasol and Andrew Bynum can be a championship contender with "some tweaks here and there," but, "you can't have one of our pillars not knowing if he's going to be here or not."

Bryant said Gasol has been a "consummate professional" through all the trade talks, but it's only natural for the uncertainty to affect Gasol.

"Do something. One way or another, do something," Bryant said.

Here's video of Bryant talking to the media about the game. He brings up the Gasol situation.

For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter @SBNArizona and "Like" us on Facebook.

Phoenix Suns Survive Kobe Bryant Onslaught, Beat Lakers 102-90

The Phoenix Suns held down Kobe Bryant for most of the first half, as he only scored 12 en route to building up a huge 23 point halftime lead. So Kobe had to do what Kobe does and put up a scoring exhibition in the second half, putting up 20 points to finish with 32 points (although he did have ten turnovers to go along with that).

Nevertheless, it wasn't enough, as the Suns staved off the Laker rally and held on.

Jared Dudley had 25 points, Steve Nash put up 14 assists, and Marcin Gortat contributed 21 points and 15 assists. Grant Hill added 15 points and Channing Frye put in 13 points. The Suns used good free throw shooting and took advantage of 18 Laker turnovers to win it out.

To talk about the Suns, head on over to Bright Side of the Sun. To discuss the Lakers, check out Silver Screen and Roll.

Suns Vs. Lakers, Part 2: TV Schedule, Lineups And More

After a 111-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at the Staples Center, the Phoenix Suns return home to face the Lakers again on Sunday night. The game kicks off a three game homestand before All-Star weekend, after which nine of the following 11 games are also at home.

In their meeting on Friday, Kobe Bryant scored 18 points in the third quarter en route to a 36 point performance. Also, Matt Barnes and Shannon Brown played well against their former teams. Barnes, a former member of the Suns, went for 17 points on 6-7 shooting while Brown, who last played for the Lakers, scored 15.

Projected Lineups:

• Point guard: Steve Nash --- Derek Fisher
• Shooting guard: Jared Dudley -- Kobe Bryant
• Small forward: Grant Hill -- Metta World Peace
• Power forward: Channing Frye -- Pau Gasol
• Center: Marcin Gortat -- Andrew Bynum
• Key subs: Suns (Markieff Morris, Michael Redd, Ronnie Price, Robin Lopez). Lakers (Steve Blake, Troy Murphy, Matt Barnes, Andrew Goudelock)

TV broadcast info:

The Suns game tips off at 6:00 p.m. Arizona time on Fox Sports Arizona. Arizona Sports 620 radio. Bright Side of the Sun will have the live game thread.

For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter @SBNArizona and "Like" us on Facebook.

LA Lakers Beat Phoenix Suns 111-99 Behind Kobe Bryant's 36 Points

In the first of two consecutive games, the Phoenix Suns started strong and finished better, but the middle of the game was where things fell apart as the Los Angeles Lakers win 111-99 on Marcin Gortat;s birthday behind the play of Kobe Bryant and former Suns player Matt Barnes.

Phoenix played well in the first quarter, ending the first with a 25-21, but the Lakers followed with two straight qurters of over 30 points. Kobe went for 18 points in the third quarter and the Lakers pulled away.

Kobe finished for 36 points and Matt Barnes had 17 points on 6-7 shooting.

For the Suns, Marcin Gortat had another double-double, finishing with 21 points and 16 boards. Steve Nash had 11 points and 17 assists, while former Laker Shannon Brown had his best game in some time. He had 15 points, including a spectacular offensive rebound and dunk late in the game.

The Suns and Lakers face off again on Sunday in Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns Vs. Los Angeles Lakers: TV Schedule, Lineups And Kobe Again

The Suns head to L.A. to face a rested Lakers team on Friday and then come back home to get a second shot at Kobe and friends.