The Lakers have played so well as a team that you would never realize that they’ve been playing without two starters, but they have. Lamar Odom is the #2 player on this team without Kobe, so the Lakers should take off starting Friday when he returns. Odom is averaging 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season but somehow the bench players have made up for it. Kwame Brown will also return to the starting lineup. He was a little easier for the Lakers to replace as young Andrew Bynum played well in his absence. But, Brown will be welcomed back as he was averaging 8.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Brown & Bynum combined gives the Lakers one good center.

Kwame Brown is out until early February due to a bad ankle sprain. He was averaging 8.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game so far this season. Andrew Bynum will get his big chance to show what he’s got while Brown is out.

Lamar Odom had to leave last night’s game after only 3 minutes. He has a moderate MCL sprain to his right knee and will be out at least 1 month. This is a tough blow to the Lakers as Odom does everything well for the Lakers. Odom is averaging 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Someone will have to step up to replace him or the Lakers will be in trouble.

Chris Mihm has had more surgery to his injured ankle and will miss 5-8 months putting his season in jeopardy. Look for Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf to get all of the minutes Mihm would have and they need to step up and take charge. Both of them have played well so far this season.

Lakers starting center Kwame Brown will be out until late November after bruising his rotator cuff and having bursitis in his right shoulder. Chris Mihm, the back-up center, is still experiencing pain in his surgically repaired ankle. This could put second year player Andrew Bynum in the starting line-up which could spell trouble for the Lakers.