Add center Chris Kaman to that list of big men who have grown frustrated in the system of the offensive-minded coach.
Since playing five minutes against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 17, the 31-year-old center has appeared in just one game. That was a 12-minute run in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 13.
He scored nine points in those 12 minutes and then didn't get off the bench for the Lakers' next game.
His inactivity hasn't been all due to coach's decisions. Kaman has a history of back issues, and as ESPN's Ramona Shelburne points out, he was hurting physically after tweaking his back during a practice a "few weeks ago."
He is back to health and ready to go now, however, yet he remains a fixture on the bench. Meanwhile, second-year center Robert Sacre has picked up at least 10 minutes in six of the last seven games.
For the record, and any interested parties, I am looking for a $3.2 million annual salary for watching every Lakers game from the best seat in the house.
Kaman's frustration, however, is understandable. The 7'0", 265-pound veteran has had an up-and-down career, but his solid defense, decent post game and good rebounding have always been worthy of playing time.
In 16.8 minutes per game this year with the Lakers, he is averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the floor. Those per-minute numbers are what we should expect from Kaman.
For his career, he is averaging 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game.
Those numbers aren't enough to get him off the bench ahead of the likes of Sacre, who, in 16.6 minutes per game this month, is averaging 6.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
