The Lakers refused to part with Bynum for players like Jason Kidd and Jermaine O’Neal and they are starting to reap the benefits of those decisions. Bynum is getting a lot of playing time due to Kwame Brown being out with injuries and he’s making the most of it. In 14 games this season, Bynum is averaging 25.7 minutes, 11.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Bynum also is a solid shooter as he has nailed 58.5% from the floor (mostly from close range) and he has also hit 72.1% of his free throws this season. Look out if the Lakers let Bynum start playing 35+ minutes per game because he has the talent to dominate the paint.

Center Kwame Brown is out indefinately with a sprained MCL. He has played in 7 games (6 starts) so far this season and he has averaged 21.0 minutes, 4.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He better hurry back as Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm have both been playing well and there might not be many minutes left for Brown.

The Lakers have acquired small forward Trevor Ariza from the Magic for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans. Ariza can really run the floor and he has a much bigger upside than either of the players the Lakers traded. Ariza has played in 11 games (0 starts) so far this season and he has averaged 10.5 minutes, 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Ariza has now played in 205 games (29 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 18.4 minutes, 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Mark my words, this was a good trade for the Lakers.

The Lakers rushed out to a 61-49 halftime lead but they had to fight to hold off the Rockets last night. The Lakers also played solid defense as they held the Rockets to 35.3% shooting from the floor. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Derek Fisher pitched in with 13 points and 2 assists. Lamar Odom had a solid game with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. The Lakers are now 4-3 on the season.

The Lakers fell behind 54-38 in the first half of this game and they never made a game of it. Kobe led the way for the Lakers with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots. Jordan Farmar only played 22 minutes last night but he still scored 16 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Lamar Odom had another solid game with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The Lakers are now 3-3 on the season.

The Lakers outrebounded the T-Wolves 51-44 and they held them to 38.9% shooting from the floor to cruise to an easy win. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Lamar Odom had a great game to back Kobe up with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Both Chris Mihm (10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Andrew Bynum (10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks) gave the Lakers great production at center in this game. The Lakers are now 3-2 on the season.

The Lakers were stung by the Hornets last night as they just couldn’t keep up. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Ronny Turiaf also had a solid game with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Andrew Bynum had another solid game with 8 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots off of the bench. The Lakers are now 2-2 on the season.

The Lakers wanted this game more than the Jazz did as they outrebounded them 40-32 and they shot 55.8% from the floor which were two large keys to victory. Kobe Bryant filled up the stat sheet with 33 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots. Derek Fisher had a solid team against his ex-buddies. He made 13 of 14 free throws and he finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. Andrew Bynum was outstanding in 19 minutes before he fouled out. Bynum scored 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. The Lakers are now 2-1 on the season.

The Lakers came to Phoenix with a chip on their shoulders and they kicked the Suns butts! The Lakers shot an amazing 56.5% from the floor and they also outrebounded the Suns 54-34. Vladimir Radmanovic led the way for the Lakers with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in only 23 minutes on the floor. Kobe Bryant only scored 16 points….but he also had 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Andruw Bynum was outstanding off of the bench with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists in 23 minutes. The Lakers are now 1-1 on the season.

The Lakers had all kinds of issues in this game and it’s amazing that they even had a chance to win this game. The Lakers were outrebounded 49-37 in this game as they couldn’t stop Yao in the paint. Still, Kobe Bryant tried his best to pull out a miracle win on opening night. Bryant finished with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Derek Fisher was the only player that helped Kobe out on offense. He scored 17 points, dished out 2 assists and stole the ball 4 times. The rest of the Lakers only scored a combined 31 points and that’s a big reason why they are 0-1 right now.