NBA Playoffs 2011: Who Replaces Ron Artest?

As we all know, Ron Artest was been suspended and will not play in what will be the Lakers' biggest game of the season, Game 3 tonight, on the road in Dallas.

With the Lakers down 0-2, they would need to win four of the next five in order to advance to the next round. And please don't minimize the fact that three of those five games would take place in Dallas.

In those first two games, the Mavs have looked pretty good. My Lakers...not so good. No matter how hard Kobe is trying to get Gasol to Hulk levels, he remains in Bruce Banner mode. Tonight will Andrew Bynum be Dr Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Will Lamar's head be in the game or will he be focused on his reality show with Khloe? 

Will Kobe trust the triangle offense or decide to wear blinders tonight and go for 40+? Does Fisher have any big shots left? What can we expect from the bench?

If those questions weren't enough, who steps into Ron Artest spot? Let's look at the possibilities.

Luke Walton: Seniority, Good Passer

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

Luke has been with the Lakers for eight years. He's a good passer and knows the triangle offense as well as anyone. But it's apparent that Phil has loss confidence in him. Walton has played less than 500 minutes this season and so far none in the post-season.

Will he get the bulk of minutes at the three spot tonight?

Matt Barnes: Tough Guy

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Matt Barnes #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to his bench during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 31, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Another option is Matt Barnes. Think a less talented, thinner version of Ron Artest. He can provide the same type of intensity along with the same type of poor shot selection. He's a regular rotation guy, a member of the Laker's "Killer B's," a group that too often looks more like the "Honey Bees." Matt averaged about 20 minutes during the season, and less than 14 during the post-season. 

He's very capable of providing weak side help on Dirk.

Devin Ebanks: Rookie

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Devin Ebanks #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the NBA Europe Live match between Los Angeles Lakers and Regal FC Barcelona at the at Palau Blaugrana on October 7, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/

Devin Ebanks:

-rookie

-untested rookie

-untested rookie w/ zero postseason minutes

-untested rookie w/ zero postseason minutes in Phil Jackson's system

In other words, he may dress tonight, but game time...don't hold your breath. 

Lamar Odom: Hmmm

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as he is guarded by Shawn Marion #0 of the Dallas Mavericks from behind in the second quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs

Lamar was the 6th man of the year. At 6'10", he usually comes in for Bynum or Gasol, one of the Lakers' seven footers. But Lamar is very versatile, and while the Lakers would have a problem matching up with Marion's quickness, Dallas would now have to deal with a taller L. A. front line. 

Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO

Lest we forget, Kobe plays small forward, usually with Shannon Brown at the two. While I'm sure we'll see a lineup featuring them together tonight, I don't like it for long periods of time. Marion is a little too big for Kobe to mess around with all night, sorta like Pierce, 'Melo, and LeBron. Players like that are exactly why the Lakers bought in Artest in the first place.

So Who Will It Be?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the national anthem before the Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on

I'm sure the Zen Master knows who SHOULD give him the best option of pulling out a win tonight. I think Walton gets the start at the 3, followed by Barnes and some Kobe mixed in.

However, personally, I'd love to see Odom in there with Bynum and Gasol. 

Just imagine if Luke Walton earns his pay tonight. If so, he will guarantee at least one more game in L. A. this season.