Phoenix Suns merciless in Lakers takedown — and it was fun

The Phoenix Suns knock out the Los Angeles Lakers, second quarter

Cam Johnson tries to join the 3-parade. Misses but grabs the offensive board and it’s 38-14.

LeBron drives and can’t convert. Whines, and then heads back up court.

Cam Johnson to Frank Kaminsky for two.

Cam Johnson for 3 and it’s another …

Timeout Lakers.

Text to me just came in from a four-decade Lakers fan: “Payne a lefty like me, but my jumper is prettier.” Then Cam Johnson hits his 3. “CALL IT,” he said. Then, quickly, some perspective. “This better not be the championship, hope the Suns have their eyes on the bigger picture.”

Booker and CP3 would allow for nothing less than the game-day focus every night.

Lakers get interested. KCP hits another 3 and it’s a 9-0 run with more than six minutes left.

Schroder, 0-9 in Game 5, forces the action and draws a foul on Booker. Two free throws cut the deficit to 19 with just more than three minutes left before halftime.

No worries. After a very questionable flagrant on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (players from the 1980s and 1990s, along with millions of old-school basketball fans cringed), Booker finished the half with a pair of free throws to give him 33 — on 11-16 shooting.

HALFTIME: Suns 62, Lakers 41

Shaq says Booker is a budding superstar. Those players sense the kill. Booker, Shaq said, is a guy who says, “Gimme the damn ball and get out the way.”

Suns fans have to be so happy to have a national audience find out what they’ve known for years. Book is a killaaahhhh.