Kevin Ding's post on LA Lakers | Latest updates on Sulia

OK, so apparently we need a more thorough explanation on D'Antoni's starting lineup and planned rotation. Kobe ...

and Metta will still get pretty much all the run they can handle, even if Kobe starts at small forward and Metta begins games on the bench. The only reason Metta wouldn't start is because D'Antoni doesn't want to overwork him by starting him at small forward and then shifting him to backup power forward soon after. Metta didn't start tonight and still played 36 minutes. Jodie Meeks started the second half at shooting guard, with Kobe bumped up to small forward. Devin Ebanks was a bust as the starting small forward as Charlotte just left him unguarded and he shot 1 for 4 (taking four of the Lakers' first 9 shots); Ebanks didn't play again after five minutes to open the game. And when I asked D'Antoni if he would consider starting Meeks, he couldn't answer yes fast enough. I asked if he minded Kobe playing SF, and D'Antoni didn't. Remains to be seen if the starting lineup shifts based on matchups, but D'Antoni loves Meeks and can't get enough of him.