Brown, Walton doubtful

December 27th, 2007, 2:44 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

By CURTIS ZUPKE

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - The Lakers didn’t miss Kwame Brown and Luke Walton too much, judging from their most recent performance. So perhaps they won’t miss them for their next big matchup.

Brown and Walton likely won’t play when the Lakers host Utah on Friday at Staples Center, Coach Phil Jackson said. Brown is recovering from a sprained left ankle and knee while Walton has a sprained ankle.

Brown practiced Thursday but Jackson deadpanned that he looked “old and decrepit.” Walton did not practice.

Brown has missed 19 games. The Lakers have gone 12-7 in that span, and Tuesday’s victory against Phoenix was a statement that the club can compete with the upper tier in the Western Conference.

Having the 6-foot-11 Brown can only help. While he’s not the offensive force the Lakers would like him to be, Brown brings a defensive presence in the paint and takes pressure off fellow big man Andrew Bynum.

Jackson will have to decide how to work Brown back into the lineup. Brown played center to start the season until Bynum took over following Brown’s injury on Nov.18. Asked if forward Ronny Turiaf could see more minutes at power forward when Brown returns, Jackson said, “Yeah, that’s possible.”

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