A Starting SMUSH

OC Register: Now Jackson plans to get Bryant back to on-ball defense more - just how much depends on how good Smush Parker is at it.

Parker, in line to be the Lakers’ other starting guard, is 6-foot-4 with the quickness to smother opposing point guards. Jackson grouped his projected starting lineup on one unit Sunday: Parker, Bryant, Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm.

But Bryant frequently will be out there without Parker. So Jackson is looking forward to putting Bryant on Golden State point guard Baron Davis this week in exhibition games for a barometer of where Bryant’s on-ball defense stands.

Should Smush Parker be our starting point guard? Is he fit for the job or should it go to Aaron McKie? Sound off on the CL.com Forums!

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