Lost amid the run that the Lakers are currently on in the playoffs, is the fact that Andrew Bynum hasn't returned from his knee injury. Can you imagine this team if they added the 7 foot center who was averaging 13.1 ppg and 10.2 boards? Wouldn't they be even more incredible?

Not exactly. Actually, I'm not so sure that the Lakers aren't secretly happy that Bynum will be out of the playoffs. If Bynum were to come back at this point, were would hit fit into the system? Gasol has taken over his spot at the "go-to" post player. And since Bynum and Gasol haven't played together, how would they mesh on the court?

Chemistry is so important in basketball (see the Portland Jail Blazers from a few years ago). How many times have you seen a team add one player and it changes the dynamic of the whole squad? Many of the local (Alabama) readers of this blog, will remember when Alabama freshman Kennedy Winston was added to the team after an NCAA suspension. The team lost all cohesiveness and fell from a number one ranking to obscurity. (Others will blame coaching, but we're not hear to talk about Bama right now)

However, in keeping with our theme from last week, you'll never hear anyone from the Laker organization publicly state that they don't want Bynum back this year, for fear that his presence would disrupt the play of the team.

In Friday's Orange County Register, it was noted that Bynum will not likely join the team for the playoffs.

You'll see some quotes from several prominent Lakers and below. I've translated them for you below.

Coach Phil Jackson said Friday that he has been prepared for two months to proceed without expecting Bynum to play again this season. "I've pretty much been resigned to that fact from March on," Jackson said.

Translation: Once we acquired Gasol and saw that we were playing as well as we were with Bynum, I was hoping his injury would keep him out for the rest of the year. Next year, once those guys get a chance to play together we're going to be really good.

"Obviously, Andrew's going through a time that's very, very hard on him, especially being a young guy," teammate Pau Gasol said. "It's tough being away from the team for so long and it's unfortunate. But we want him to do what's best for himself because it's going to be best for the team, in the long run."

Translation: Man, it's unfortunate for Bynum, but he's got to put in his dues. Me, I played for Memphis and now I'm in LA filing his role. It will be best for him (and me) if he just stays out until next year. Right now, we're doing fine without him and he knows that. Since I'm the veteran, he'll have to wait his turn.

"Things happen for a reason," Bynum said. "I definitely didn't think it was going to take this long. Fortunately, we have guys that have stepped in and we have a good chance to go all the way this year. But more than that, I think our team has a chance to be great for the next 7-10 years."

Translation: I can't win. If I come back early and we play bad, then it will be my fault. If I come back and we play well, it will be because we added Gasol. I'll just sit out and wait until I can dominate in a few years and Gasol has to back me up.

Also, notice that Kobe is not quoted in the article. Essentially his quote would be, "We're winning that's all I care about. Who's Andrew Bynum?"