Cook Wants Back in the Game

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Cook was back on the bench, a spot of good news for him in an otherwise rocky few weeks.

He has fought off an upper respiratory tract infection and dealt with a brief bout of vertigo that left him clinging to the walls of the team training facility, wondering what was happening to him.

But even before that, his playing time had been almost halved.

Cook, 26, signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract extension Oct. 31, but other numbers haven't been as comforting for him.

He has sat out eight consecutive games, some for health reasons and others because he has fallen out of Coach Phil Jackson's rotation. Cook averaged 7.9 points and 19 minutes a game last season. He is now averaging 5.2 points and 9.9 minutes.

"I'm frustrated with my time," Cook said. "I started 46 games, played significant minutes last season. I'm just trying to get better.

"At the same time, we're on a roll right now. I love to win. I have to do what's best for the team. But if he calls on me, I'll be ready."

"He" would be Jackson, who acknowledged Cook's situation before Wednesday's game against New Orleans.

"I'm looking for places to put Brian in the ballgame, but Ronny [Turiaf] is playing well coming off the bench in a big man's role," Jackson said. "He's frustrated about not playing, but ? he knows that I'm looking for situations to put him in."</div>

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Honestly, I did too.

I don't think the Lakers need him. If in fact we do look to make a trade near the deadline for another impact player, Cook could be a piece we could offer.