With Game 1 of the first round of the post-season slated for this afternoon, the Lakers are ready to take on the Denver Nuggets.
Since Metta World Peace is suspended for the first six games of the post-season, the Lakers are left trying to find a replacement starting small forward.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles, head coach Mike Brown has decided to start Devin Ebanks rather than Matt Barnes.
Mike Brown said that even if Matt Barnes is healthy for the playoff opener, Devin Ebanks would probably be the starter at SF
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 27, 2012
Ebanks, who began the season as the team’s starting small forward, found himself out of the rotation for the majority of the season. Once Kobe Bryant went down with a shin injury at the end of the season, Ebanks found himself back in the rotation and capitalized on this opportunity.
Ebanks averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game during the regular season.