The lineup shakeup that triggered Luke Walton's sudden return to relevancy may turn out to be a permanent move.
One day after Phil Jackson yanked Vladimir Radmanovic from the starting five in favor of Walton, the coach said he'll probably stick with the new lineup tonight against Sacramento. Jackson said he feels he needs Walton's court vision and playmaking more than Radmanovic's long-range shooting.
"We weren't moving the ball well enough and we weren't really passing the ball or executing our offense the way I'd like to see it happen,"
Jackson said. "Luke's a guy that is a good community guy as far as moving the ball and hitting open guys. I thought he'd help us break out of our desire to score too much and our lack of teamwork."
After falling out of the rotation and averaging less than five minutes entering Wednesday's game, Walton made sure to take advantage of his unexpected opportunity to regain his starting job. He scored eight points, dished out six assists and flashed a smile rarely seen the first 20 games.
"It was a lot of fun to be back out there,"
he said. "I missed it from the first game this season. Every game that you sit there is hard. Being back out there, you realize why you miss it because it's so much fun."
Radmanovic had been shooting well enough to justify his starting role, having made 13 of his past 25 threes. Asked how tough it was to not log even a minute against Phoenix, Radmanovic had little to say.
"I really don't want to talk about this,"
he said. "I think the team has a really good thing going on. Regardless of who's starting and who's not, I think we have to focus on our game and who we're playing next."
If there's anyone who can appreciate what Radmanovic is going through, it's Walton, who did not play in eight games this season and logged less than five minutes in eight others.
"Vladdy's one of my best friends on this team, and it really (stinks) not playing,"
Walton said. "I know what he feels. He went from starting and then he didn't play any minutes. But Vladdy's a tough guy and a great player. However it works out, I know he's going to be ready."
D key to Bynum's minutes
Frustrated that he typically has been on the bench the final five minutes of close games, Andrew Bynum offered his latest plea for more fourth-quarter playing time.
"I don't understand why I'm not in at the end of games,"
Bynum said Thursday. "It doesn't make much sense to me, but it's something I have to deal with. I haven't been in foul trouble the last couple games, so I have no idea."
Aside from the final possession of last week's Indiana game, Bynum hasn't played in the last five minutes of any of the past eight games, despite averaging 16 points and nine rebounds during that stretch. Pressed to explain why he has gone with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom late in games, Jackson cited sub-par defense from Bynum, whether it's one on one, rotating to help or defending the screen-and-roll.
"When he shows the ability to play defense appropriately he'll probably be there,"
Jackson said. "Andrew's doing really well. He's making great progress. But there are times in the games down the stretch when we have to have the best defenders. That was the team we had last year in the playoffs. They know how to help each other."
Radio moving to 710 ESPN
The Lakers announced a multi-year agreement that will make 710 ESPN their flagship radio station beginning in the 2009-10 season. The station will replace 570 KLAC, which has aired Lakers games for 32 straight seasons.
