Winning a championship in his first season down in South Beach with the Miami Heat must surely top The Big Aristotle?s list of priorities these days.

 A close second?  How about, at the same time, putting a final nail in the Lakers? coffin ? and sending a dagger through the heart of one former teammate in particular - as far as post-season aspirations are concerned?

 Well, only time will tell whether Shaq does wind up leading Miami to a title in year one.  But after Thursday night, we know this much:  thanks to Shaq?s Heat, you can stick a fork in Kobe?s crew, because they?re done.

 Both Shaq and Kobe downplayed Thursday?s showdown, their second head-to-head battle this season after a tumultuous separation over the summer, as ?just another game.?  But for the Lakers, there are no inconsequential matchups; not when you are a team fighting for your playoff lives.  

 After Thursday?s 102-89 setback, the Lakers now sit at 32-32 on the season.  .500 basketball this time of year isn?t nearly good enough.  Not in the superior Western Conference.  Not when L.A. has to play 10 of their last 18 games away from Staples Center and 13 of their remaining games against teams with records above .500.  Not when you?re a team on a current three-game losing streak and losers of eight of 12.  Not when the George Karl-led Denver Nuggets, who currently occupy the West?s eighth and final playoff spot and hold a game in hand on L.A., are playing inspired basketball.

 And more importantly, not when the franchise himself is playing uninspired basketball.

 While Bryant finished with a team-high 26 points, he only registered five points in the second half and finished the night shooting 8-of-23 from the field.  In his last three games, all losses, Bryant is shooting a putrid 33% (20-of-60) from the floor ? certainly nowhere near good enough for a team on the ropes.

 When a franchise player is having difficulty knocking down shots, you would expect him to pick up his game in other areas.  

 Not so, in Bryant?s case.  

 Not only did Bryant struggle defensively versus Shaq?s new boy wonder Dwyane Wade, allowing the super sophomore to explode for 27 points ? eight in the fourth quarter - on 8-of-16 shooting, but while looking to take over the game down the stretch, Bryant decided to be a one-man show, forcing up low-percentage shots and holding onto the ball for way too long during many possessions instead of involving his teammates.  

 As a result, the Heat were able to wear the Lakers down in the fourth quarter, breaking open what was only a two-point Miami lead after three quarters into an eventual 13-point blowout and season series sweep.

 Even though they are now bitter rivals, you always have to wonder what life would be like if Kobe and Shaq could set their differences aside and just co-exist.  

 The Lakers probably would have won a title last year, and be well on their way to another one this season.  Surely this year?s top contenders in the West ? Phoenix, San Antonio, Seattle and perhaps Dallas ? wouldn?t have stood in their path.

 But Kobe wanted to be the man, and now he?s likely to be on the outside looking in when the playoffs roll around next month.

 ?(Shaq) has a great team down there,? Bryant said of O?Neal?s new team.  ?And we?re trying to get to that point.?  

 But with the Lakers unlikely to be out of the salary cap woods for at least a couple of seasons, they don?t figure to be a Western power any time soon ? not if Bryant refuses to re-adjust his game and help make his teammates around him better.  

 Barring any off-season trades this summer, the Lakers will once again be built around Kobe, Lamar Odom and Caron Butler ? with the latter two needing to have expanded roles in the offense.

 Odom and Bryant in particular have had a difficult time meshing on the court this season.  Their games simply do not co-exist.  Often times Odom - who thrives with the ball in his hands in more of a point forward role ? has had to stand around while Kobe does his thing and scores his points.  Should Odom remain with the team next season, he?ll need to have an expanded role on the offensive end, as he can be so instrumental if allowed to thrive.  

 Shaq and the Heat, meanwhile, winners of 11 straight games overall and 14 straight at American Airlines Arena, appear to be peaking at just the right time.  

 At 51-16, Miami has all but assured top seed in the East and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs - which can only benefit a rather young and unproven squad looking to make their mark in the post-season.  At this point, it?s NBA Finals or bust for the Heat.

 ?I?m finally on a real team now, and not surrounded with so much nonsense,? O?Neal said, who finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds.  ?This is the first time that I can say I?ve been on a good team where everyone was on the same page.?

 Apparently so, although Shaq has his work cut out for him if he wants to repeat the back-to-back-to-back championship exploits he enjoyed in L.A.

 As for Kobe?s Lakers, who face an uphill playoff climb from here on out, to say the least?

 ?I think we?re at our best when the odds are against us,? Bryant said following defeat.

 Well, Kobe, your playoff chances are slim and none at this point, so here?s hoping you have some late-season magic up your sleeve, because you?ll need it.  

 Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com