31-year old power forward Lamar Odom is back to coming off the bench due to the return of Andrew Bynum.  He doesn’t look like coming off the bench is bothering him one bit.  He has played in 13 games this month for the Lakers and he is averaging 28.7 minutes, 14.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.  Odom is shooting 56.5% from the floor and 41.4% from the three point line so far in January.  Odom has now played in 46 games (31 starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 33.6 minutes, 15.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 57.5% shooting from the floor!  He has been outstanding for the Lakers so far this year.

36-year old Derek Fisher knows his role for the Los Angeles Lakers.  Fisher’s role is to stand around the three point line and wait for the defense to collapse inside, leaving him open.  Fisher has played in 39 games (all starts) for the Lakers this year and he is averaging 26.8 minutes, 6.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  Fisher is only shooting 38.4% from the floor this year but he is still hitting 41.1% from three point range so he is still an asset for the Lakers.

23-year old center Andrew Bynum is rounding into shape so far this January.  Bynum has played in 5 games this January and he is averaging 26.4 minutes, 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.6 blocked shots on 59.6% shooting from the floor.  Bynum has now played in 14 games (7 starts) for the Lakers this year and he is averaging 22.6 minutes, 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.6 blocked shots per game.  The Lakers need Bynum to stay healthy as he makes the Lakers very big in the paint teamed up with Pau Gasol and at times, Lamar Odom.

31-year old starting small forward Ron Artest needs to pick up the pace before 30-year old Matt Barnes takes his job.  Artest has played in 30 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 26.9 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  But, he is only shooting 39% from the floor and that is pretty awful.  Matt Barnes has played in 30 games (0 starts) so far this year and he is averaging 21.5 minutes, 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.  He is shooting 47.1% from the floor this year so he’s adding punch to the offense when he’s on the court.  Artest better start playing better soon or he’s going to be playing in less than half of the game.

25-year old SG/SF Shannon Brown might have gotten more money and P.T. from another team over the summer but he decided to return to the Lakers for another shot at a ring.  Brown has played in 18 games (0 starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 18.7 minutes, 10.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  Brown is also shooting well from everywhere on the court this year.  Brown is shooting 48.6% from the floor, 46.2% from three point range and 91% from the free throw line so far this year.  The Lakers are glad Brown decided to return to them.

36-year old point guard Derek Fisher isn’t showing any signs of slowing down yet for the Lakers.  Fisher has played in 17 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 27.1 minutes, 7.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Fisher is 17 of 36 (47.2%) from three point range so far this year so he still has his stroke from long range.  Derek Fisher is giving the Lakers just what they expected out of him which makes them happy.

30-year old C/PF Pau Gasol is really playing outstanding basketball right now. He has played in 12 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this season and he is averaging 38.7 minutes, 22.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Gasol is shooting 55% from the floor and 79.1% from the free throw line so far this year as he has been very accurate. The Lakers need Gasol to keep up the good work as he’s more than making up for the loss of Andrew Bynum.

31-year old Lamar Odom will be the Lakers’ starting power forward until Andrew Bynum is ready to return to action around Thanksgiving. Odom has started all 3 games for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 34.0 minutes, 16.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is also shooting a scorching 67.7% from the floor so far this year. The Lakers are lucky to have a guy like Odom who can step in a dominate whenever the need arises.

Shooting guard Kobe Bryant won the MVP Award for the NBA Finals for the second time in his career last night. He played in 7 games (all starts) in the NBA Finals for the Lakers and he averaged 41.1 minutes, 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He won the MVP Award despite only shooting 40.5% from the floor but that’s nitpicking as he was the best player on the floor in this series. Bryant played in 23 games (all starts) this post season for the Lakers and he averaged 40.1 points, 29.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been going up against a tough Utah Jazz team in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, but they have a 2-0 series lead.  The Lakers have taken control of the series thanks to Kobe Bryant putting a ton of pressure on the Jazz.  Kobe has really picked up his play this round and as helped the Lakers take a 2-0 series lead.  Through two games, Bryant is averaging 30.5 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.  He his shooting 54% (22/41) from the field and 94% (17/18) from the line.  The Lakers have also been doing a great job slowing down Jazz star point guard Deron Williams.  Williams was perhaps the best player of the first round, but the Lakers have slowed him down some.  In round one he averaged 25.8 points, 11.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field.  In two games against the Lakers so far, Williams is averaging only 19.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 1.5 rebounds on just 36% shooting.  With Kobe on top of his game right now and with Williams struggling some, the Lakers should feel very confident going into game three tomorrow in Utah.