Better without Bynum?

Personally, I don't think so. But after the Lakers polish off the Phoenix Suns in a few more minutes, they will have won 11 of 12 games since Bynum was injured.

Bynum said he wasn't worried about regaining his spot in the rotation once he returned.

`` It's cool. It's cool,'' he said. ``Because when I come back in, then we'll all jell. I'll have to work my way back in and make us all better."

Around the league though, not everyone is convinced the Lakers are a better team with Bynum than without him. Denver coach George Karl told Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News that he thought the Lakers might actually be more cohesive without their young 7-foot-1 center.

"Don't you have to make the statement that maybe they're better without
Bynum?,'' Karl said. ``Why do we always say Bynum? How many games has he played for this team? I like Bynum. I think he's a great player. But sometimes you can have too much talent out there and it can kind of be confusing.''