With a depleted lineup, Coach Phil Jackson calls the reserve big man the team's most reliable player off the bench and his efforts showed again in a victory over Memphis.

It was noteworthy in that it was high praise.

But in many ways, it was deserved, because Josh Powell once again delivered for the Lakers off the bench.

And this time, when the Lakers were in need because they were short-handed, Powell came up with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes during the Lakers' 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Staples Center.

"He's been our most reliable substitute this year off the bench," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

Powell's eyes lit up when he was told of Jackson's compliment.

"If Jesus said so, I'm with it," Powell said, smiling. "That's PJ, man."

The Lakers were missing both of their seven-footers Friday night. Andrew Bynum didn't play because of a strained right elbow and Pau Gasol sat out his sixth consecutive game because of a strained right hamstring.

It meant the Lakers had to turn to Powell to play down low.

He was six for 11 from the field, including one of two from three-point range.

"He's been shooting the ball well," Jackson said. "He's much more comfortable playing in the offense. He knows the niches he can find, and plays and knows how to use them well."

Powell's teammates always mention how he is the energy guy in practice and they always talk about how hard he plays in workouts. Now that's starting to translate in the games.

"I'm just staying with it, playing the right way," Powell said. "Especially defensively, I'm trying to do the right thing, hustling, playing hard, talking, which they stress often. Sticking with that, man, and playing hard and everything else is coming."

Powell is much more comfortable with his teammates this season, his second with the Lakers.

"This is the first year I've been on the same team," said Powell, a five-year veteran who spent one season in Dallas, one season split between Indiana and Golden State and one season with the Clippers before the Lakers picked him up last season.

"That's better than having to learn everybody," Powell said. "Like last year, I had to learn everybody, whether it was offense or defense. This year is kind of like you know who is going to do what defensively."

He has worked hard on improving his game. He already had a nice jumper, but he has expanded his range. Powell made a three-pointer against the Grizzlies.

It was the second three-pointer he has made this season in three attempts.

"I got a call on that this summer," said Powell, pointing in the direction of Kobe Bryant's locker. "I just put in a lot of time. Still now it ain't perfect. But I feel confident when I shoot. I've just been working, man."

Link: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-la ... 5572.story

hey i just found out this guy is leading the team in FG% with .590, and in 3FG% with .600. what does that have to say about our guards??

Meh. I think Josh Powell plays stiff. Explains why he fouls so much and gets beat off the dribble a lot.

But I do like the fact that he knows he's a role player, and has worked on his game according to the role we need him to play. No ego, no complaining, just gets on the court and does what we ask him to do.