No Quit in Kwame


LOS ANGELES - There are so many things Coach Phil Jackson has said and done to push Kwame Brown into playing despite his injuries.

The most recent was Jackson waving a white handkerchief when Kwame Brown said he didn't think he could play even in the playoffs because of a bone bruise in his left ankle.

But Kwame Brown started at center Sunday night, his first appearance since missing the past six games, and he said it had nothing to do with Jackson's antics.

"If we would have won (games), then I would have stayed with the idea of trying to rest it as much as possible and then coming back," said Kwame Brown, who had three points and four rebounds in 27 minutes. "But now we don't have a choice."

Jackson agreed with Kwame Brown's assessment. The Los Angeles Lakers had lost four straight and eight of 10 before finally clinching a playoff spot with Sunday night's win.

"We can't depend upon the way we've been playing to sustain any momentum and gain momentum in the playoffs," Jackson said, "so that's why he needs to play."

Jackson admitted he doesn't believe any of his comments have had an effect on Kwame Brown.

"I've tried a lot with him, but none seem to collect," Jackson said. "I think he needed confirmation that he's going to be fine."

That came a week ago when Kwame Brown got an MRI that confirmed the bone bruise.

Kwame Brown had trainer Gary Vitti tape the ankle so he could withstand the pain.

"It's feeling decent," Kwame Brown said before the game. "We're losing. I've got to do something. My ankle, I've been icing it and steaming it every day and taking my medicine. It feels a little better since I've been wearing the boot."

Smush Benched

Before Sunday's game, Jackson debated whether or not to bench the struggling, brooding Smush Parker. The possibility became a reality when rookie Jordan Farmar started over Smush Parker.

Smush Parker had started all 162 of the Lakers' games in his two years here. But he's fallen out of favor due to his struggles on both ends and his attitude, and Jackson is committed to finding someone to get the job done alongside Kobe Bryant.

"I'm trying to find out what the combination is going to be that gives us the best effort as a team," Jackson said. "And it's funny to be fiddling with it still after 80 games. But that's what we have to do."

Jordan Farmar had nine points and three assists in 28 minutes, while Smush Parker had four points in 20 minutes.

But Can He Lip-Sync?

Luke Walton came into the locker room with his hair shaved close to his head.

Jackson, always one to chide his players, was asked if Walton cut his hair to show a warrior mentality.

"No, I think it's just because he wants to kind of emulate Britney Spears. She has a bald head," Jackson joked. "It's a look-a-like contest.

"No," Jackson added, "he's a warrior."

Walton has been linked romantically with Spears in tabloids but has denied it, saying he has a girlfriend.

Reach Broderick Turner

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