Chris Kaman had his best game as a Laker, and arguably of his career, last night as he scored 29 points to go along with 17 rebounds, and six assists in the Lakers upset win over the Phoenix Suns.
Kaman’s playing time has fluctuated wildly this season, particularly when Pau Gasol is healthy. With his skillset being similar to that of Gasol’s, Mike D’Antoni has rarely chosen the play the two together, leading to frustration on Kaman’s part.
With Gasol due to return soon from his bout with vertigo, Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters reports that D’Antoni realizes the dilemma he will have on his hands once Gasol is back in the lineup:
D’Antoni’s on what happens to Kaman when Pau returns: “It makes it tough because you know Robert Sacre plays and now we got two guys that play a little bit of the same type of game and it’s going to be tough, and I’ll try to figure that one out.”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 31, 2014
Kaman has really thrived when Gasol has been out of the lineup but has barely been able to see the floor when Gasol is healthy. It seems as if D’Antoni is now warming to the idea of playing the two together with a little more. Even still, he remains uncommitted to playing both, instead choosing to leave the door open, according to Winters:
“I would love to play him but we’ll have to see what happens.” – D’Antoni on Chris Kaman when/if Pau returns.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 31, 2014
While Kaman and D’Antoni have been at odds for much of the season, D’Antoni praised Kaman immensely after last night. Whether this means Kaman will stay on the floor once Gasol is back, remains to be seen.