[EmpireWF]

Later tonight the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers will kick off the season for the western conference at the Staples Center. Amare Stoudamire hopes to be healthy for a Suns team that most everyone expects to return to the top of the west. Meanwhile, the Kobe-led Lakers hope to rebound from an upsetting season a year ago. Can Bryant and "those other guys" surpass the Mr. MVP Steve Nash, Marion and Stoudamire?

[Lefty Noob]

Latest word is that both Amare Stoudemire will play tonight, as he had a good week of practice recovering from his knee injury. Kobe Bryant, who had offseason surgery on his right knee, may or may not go for the Lakers -- he's essentially going to be a game-time decision. L.A. can't win if they don't have Kobe in the lineup, don't you think?

[EmpireWF]

Kobe Bryant isn't playing tonight and the Suns have a lead in the 1st.

Looks like the Lakers won't get off to a good start.

[desertrat]

Lakers trailed by 19 early in the game but rallied to win it 114-106. Andrew Bynum made his 1st career start at center for LA and played very well shooting for a high percentage, making free throws, grabbed rebounds, and most impressive of all passed for 5 assists on top of it all. Lamar Odom had a huge night also with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Suns go home to face the Clippers tonight. Lakers play Golden State next.