Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Kaman said he's still adjusting to Mike D'Antoni's system four games into the season. However, the former All-Star big man hopes the Lakers coach will eventually give him more playing time alongside forward/center Pau Gasol.
Kaman, who was signed by the Lakers to a one-year, $3.2 million deal last summer, admitted that he's now itching to get more action on the floor. Through his first four games as a Laker, Kaman averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 boards in just under 17 minutes per game.
Despite his solid production, Kaman is often used as a reliever to Gasol as D'Antoni continued to play more small-ball offensive sets for the Lakers. Yet, the 31-year-old veteran remains patient about the process as he slowly gets back his regular spot in the rotation.
"It's not easy, but I want to be patient with Coach because he's a good guy and he's been straight with me," Kaman told ESPN when asked how he felt about having less playing time with the Lakers. "We've talked and he's said, 'Hey, I want to get you in there more, but I'm trying to do everything.'
"It's hard to make everybody happy and do your job and win. There's a lot going on there for him," he added.
Not The Easiest Job Around
D'Antoni, who has so far put the Lakers at .500 after splitting their first four games, really believed Kaman is finding his groove after a 10-day absence due to salmonella.
Then again, the Lakers head coach stressed that it may take some time for Kaman to get his desired minutes because there are also other guys stepping up as solid contributors.
"He made shots," D'Antoni said. "I thought he played pretty well. I know he wants to play more minutes and that's only natural, but that's kind of the way it's going to be for a while until something happens."
"We have a lot of guys and everybody is going to have to produce when they can. It's not the easiest thing in the world. I'd love to give guys more minutes, but if I give him more minutes, I'm taking them away from someone else. I think everybody right now deserves a shot at it," he added.
Tough Road Trip
The Lakers are scheduled to start their three-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. After taking on Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs, the Lakers are set to meet Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets on Thursday before capping it with a Bayou showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
In this road swing, it will be interesting to see how D'Antoni will play Kaman as he tries to neutralize the size advantage of the Mavs, Rockets and Pelicans.