LAKERS NOTEBOOK: KOBE WANTS TO KEEP BALANCE.

Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO -- When the Lakers needed to stay afloat last January, Kobe Bryant was able to bail them out with one of the greatest months in NBA history. He averaged a staggering 43.4 points per game, the most by anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain.

Odds are Bryant won't put up the same numbers this season, but he will face a balancing act once again.

The Lakers will be playing the bulk of this month without forward Lamar Odom (sprained knee ligament) and center Kwame Brown (severe ankle sprain) and must account for their 26.2 points and 15.3rebounds per game.

In the past, that might have called for Bryant to score 40points just to give the Lakers a chance. But Bryant would like to avoid that, especially after already having shouldered the load with Odom out the past 10 games.

``I just think it's better if we all get on the same page and play well,'' Bryant said. ``It's always more enjoyable. It's more enjoyable for me, it's more enjoyable for us.

``That being said, some nights you've got to do what you've got to do to try and win the game. But I'll feel much better and be happier if I didn't have to do that.''

Bryant faced what he described as ``kitchen-sink'' defenses throughout the Lakers' recent six-game trip, with teams committing two and three defenders to stopping him. He figures to see more of the same as long as the Lakers are down two starters.

Kid's games: Although he hasn't officially been told he is starting, 19- year-old center Andrew Bynum again practiced with the first team Wednesday. He also has gotten the message from the coaching staff about staying out of foul trouble.

Bynum said he watched tape of himself picking up fouls by exposing his body and letting guards collide with him while driving the lane. He said he's resolved to stay out of the restricted area and contest shots from a distance.

Bynum said he is prepared for teams to attack him with the screen-and- roll, a nemesis for the Lakers in recent games.

``It's more than just myself and the guard at the top,'' Bynum said. ``All of the team has to have a foot in the paint so that if he does get by us, then somebody else is there and we can recover to our man.

``That killed us in the Charlotte game. Kwame and Smush (Parker) were doing a pretty good job up top, but our weak-side defense was so far out of the lane, we just didn't have a chance.''

Lakers coach Phil Jackson was asked about the need for an emergency big man as long as Brown is out. He said the Lakers are estimating Brown's recovery at about four weeks.

``We think that we can see our way through for a short period of time and patch it up,'' said Jackson, who also will give minutes to Ronny Turiaf and Brian Cook at center.

Injury update: Odom shot around on the practice court with a knee brace but was uncertain when he would be able to play again. He has been able to do some light running but can't afford to rush back even with Brown out.

Feel-good story: By having his right hip replaced on the eve of training camp, Jackson avoided having to take a midseason leave of absence. Miami Heat coach Pat Riley did just that Wednesday to deal with knee and hip problems.

Having both hips replaced would have kept Jackson out three months. He is weighing having his left hip replaced this summer and cracked a joke about it Wednesday.

``Next year,'' Jackson said, ``I know I'll take it off during the season and have a holiday in the middle of this.''

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- Ross Siler