Andrew Bynum – (bone bruise in right knee) is expected to be ready for the playoffs. That is great news for the team. If you need to be reminded how important Bynum is to the team: With Bynum the Lakers are championship contenders, without him they’re not.
Matt Barnes – (sore right knee) had an MRI exam on Wednesday that showed no new damage to his surgically repaired knee. He is expected to be ready for Sunday night’s game. His never backdown, you-can’t-punk-me-attitude is what Kupchak signed him for. Barnes brings teh kind of toughness that is intangible during the playoffs.
Steve Blake – (chicken pox) is out indefinitely. Sources suggest that he could be back during the 1st round. It is more likely to expect him to be fully recovered by the beginning of the 2nd round. The loss of Blake is a significant blow to the backcourt and as a result Fisher will need to play extended minutes. The Lakers signed D-Leaguer Trey Johnson through the playoffs to provide an emergency back-up at the point. It’s unlikely that Trey will see many minutes, but at least he’ll have one of the best seats in the house to witness another Laker championship.
Devin Ebanks – (stress fracture in left leg) is expected to be out until mid-April. Which means he could be ready sometime during the 1st round. However even if Ebanks is healthy it’s unlikely that he’ll see many minutes during the playoffs.
[phpbay]Lakers Swingman, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]