Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Remember all that doom and gloom being spread when it was assumed the Lakers would be without both Pau Gasol and then Kobe Bryant for the balance of a disappointing season? I do…hell I even helped spread some of it.

Well proving the heart of champion still beats in the chests of Mamba and the Spaniard both men are slated to return to the Lakers tonight in a starting role no less. Tonight the Lakers will welcome the Washington Wizards to Staples Center where both Bryant and Gasol are reported to be back in the starting lineup.

As this relates to Kobe it comes as no surprise. KB24 played within days of suffering the worst ankle injury he’s claimed to have ever suffered. Over the years Bryant has toughed it out through various ailments so it’s no surprise that the game’s greatest competitor is ready to give it a go with the starting five.

No Gasol on the other hand. His status as a starter comes as a bit of a surprise. Before being sidelined with his foot affliction the Spaniard was playing behind Earl Clark. Now that Clark as reverted to playing like Earl Clark coach Mike D’Antoni has no choice but to put a proven commodity back in the starting five.

Of course D’Antoni cites his desire to get Gasol back into the swing of things right away as his reasoning but I think we all know the real season. The season is in the balance and the time to for square pegs in round holes is over. The Lake Show is looking poised to make postseason noise and having the best five on the court is mandatory.

Hopefully this won’t be a lingering problem going forward. Clark has emerged as a quality contributor for the Lakers a team that can ill-afford another injury to a key player.

Already it’s being speculated that the Lakers are considering adding the recently released Lou Amundson. While that could still be in play at least it’s not a move that will be made to fill yet another hole in an already thin frontline.