Bench rotation still in flux
The Lakers are struggling to win games which may lead Coach Mike Brown to tinker with his rotation.
The pecking order is clear at point guard with Steve Nash getting the bulk of the minutes, assuming he quickly gets over the lower-leg contustion that knocked him out of the game in Portland.
Steve Blake is the primary backup. Chris Duhon gets spot minutes. Darius Morris is a project.
At shooting guard, Kobe Bryant will get the lion share of minutes. Brown went with Jodie Meeks in the first game behind Bryant but relied more on Devin Ebanks the next night.
Rookie Darius Johnson-Odom made the team but won’t get much opportunity to play.
Metta World Peace is the team’s primary small forward. Brown’s rotation with Antawn Jamison and Ebanks at the three isn’t quite clear yet.
Ebanks is younger and more athletic. Against the Blazers he scored just two points with three personal fouls and two turnovers.
Jamison is more experienced but is still searching for how he can help this team. Through a pair, shot just 33.3% from the field for 3.5 points a game.
Jordan Hill and Jamison backup Pau Gasol at four. Rookie center Robert Sacre probably won’t get many minutes initially.
Overall, clearly something isn’t working yet. Brown has said the group needs to stay the course for a better long-term result.
How long can the Lakers afford to be mediocre?
ALSO:
A look at the Lakers’ depth chart
The good, the bad and the ugly for the Lakers in exhibition games
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