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Parker in there . for now

EL SEGUNDO Smush Parker's streak of 157 consecutive games started appears safe — for now.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Saturday that he is "anticipating" Smush Parker will start today against Phoenix in a nationally televised game critical for both teams in the Western Conference playoff race.

Smush Parker went 1 for 5 from the field and had five turnovers in 24 minutes Friday night against Seattle. Backup Jordan Farmar had just three points and two assists in 13:45, but he created energy and was on the floor in the fourth quarter.

Smush Parker's play and attitude have come under scrutiny lately. He was benched for the entire fourth quarter in Wednesday's loss to the Clippers and publicly complained about it afterward.

Smush Parker has averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 assists the past three games after averaging 12.5 points and five assists in the previous four. Asked how Smush Parker responded to being benched in the fourth period Friday, Jackson said, "About the way he always does. He retreated," before adding, "He was responsive to it."

Jordan Farmar still might not be ready to be the first rookie to start at point guard this late in the season for Jackson since B.J. Armstrong did in Chicago. Jackson said Jordan Farmar might go back down to the D-League this week in continued work to regain his early-season form.

Jackson seemed open to using both Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar and playing whoever is hot in the fourth quarter.

"I've done that a lot in my career – let guys start off a game and see who comes out with the hot hand," said Jackson, who added that "Smush has had success against this team and we look forward to having him get some opportunities (today)."

BROWN UPDATE
Kwame Brown will be a game-time decision. He sat out the past two games because of a sprained left ankle

"There's a little more pain than normal, so hopefully if it gets back down to where it was when I was playing, then it's alright," Kwame Brown said.

The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need help inside. They have been outrebounded in five of their past six games and received little production from second-year center Andrew Bynum.

Kwame Brown, like Andrew Bynum, came to the NBA out of high school and said the season took a toll on him even in his second season. But Kwame Brown opined that Andrew Bynum's issue is no longer physical.

"He had all kinds of confidence at the beginning of the season when I went out, "Kwame Brown said. "I don't know where that went, I don't know what he's got to do to get it back … It's not his game, it's his confidence."

NOTE
Vladimir Radmanovic is targeting Thursday or Friday for his return. Radmanovic has been out since Feb.15 because of a separated right shoulder suffered while snowboarding.

He has been shooting with a padded sleeve around the shoulder.

"I haven't had contact yet, so that's what going to determine it," he said.

See more at www.ocregister.com