This is either an indication that the Lakers are preparing for life without Kobe Bryant or that Mike Brown is tired of giving World Peace a chance. Then again, maybe I’m just reading far too much into the Lakers’ decision to bring Devin Ebanks back from the D-League.
However it is very much a reality that the Lakers could be without Bryant as he’s still dealing with lingering concussion issues. And it is also no secret that the Lakers are getting next to nothing from their small forward position.
Bryant’s issues aside, Coach Brown has been waging a cold war with Metta World Peace over playing time and productivity. Metta made it be known that he’s unhappy with his inconsistent PT. Brown didn’t exactly give the former Ron Artest a vote of confidence by saying Ebanks was, statistically, the most productive of the Lakers’ small forwards. That’s what we refer to as a mixed message.
Ebanks began the year as a starter before being replaced then eventually moved to the end of the bench next to Josh McRoberts who also can’t crack the rotation. Despite being the statistical champion of the Laker three-men, Devin was still doing time in the D-League where he dropped 18 and 6 in three games with the L.A. D-Fenders.