<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With ample amounts of sarcasm, Kobe Bryant pumped his fist Sunday night in the locker room after being informed he played only 39 minutes in the Lakers' 103-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers. "Under 40 -- yes!" said Bryant, who ranks second in the NBA in minutes per game (42.0), behind Philadelphia's Allen Iverson. It's not such a laughing matter to interim coach Frank Hamblen, who would like to see Bryant play no more than 41 minutes most nights. That is if the Lakers can weather the stretches with their superstar guard on the bench, as they were able to do Sunday. "I think it's important for him to not get carried away with minutes played," Hamblen said. "We can't play him 46, 45, 47 minutes every night. "There's going to be some nights when you just have to play him more. But we're trying to get in a rotation where we can pick our spots, get him out, have (Lamar Odom) in and have L.O. more featured." Bryant has played fewer than 40 minutes only six times this season, and one of those was the Jan. 13 game in which he severely sprained his right ankle in the first quarter. The Lakers managed to outscore Indiana 16-12 when Bryant sat Sunday. The Lakers have looked lost at times this season without Bryant, especially while switching to the triangle offense. Hamblen said he thought the 14 games the team played without Bryant should have them prepared for the stretches in games he will rest. "It's very important mentally for our team, whenever he takes a break, for us to pick it up and almost become better," Odom added.</div> Source I'm surprised the Lakers haven't played Butler more minutes at SG and keep him on the court with JJ and Odom.
I think it would be ideal for him to play anywhere from 35-40 a game. No more than that. Lets see if this can continue, if the Lakers can continue to produce without him.
