NBA: D'Antoni sends Gasol to the bench

Los Angeles Lakers beat writer Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reported Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) that Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni has opted to move Spanish big man Pau Gasol to a bench role.

Pau Gasol is out as Lakers' starter, Mike D'Antoni said. Permanently.

— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) January 22, 2013

D'Antoni wants to play his way: small. "We're better when we're small." Earl Clark is the new starting power forward.

— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) January 22, 2013

D'Antoni already talked to Pau Gasol about the switch to the bench. About that, D'Antoni said: "That's ... sulia.com/c/la-lakers/f/…

— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) January 22, 2013

Ding reported the change on Twitter, saying that D'Antoni has opted to go for Earl Clark at the power forward spot, alongside Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace in the front court. "We're better when we're small," D'Antoni said, explaining the decision. "It also puts Pau in his natural position. He's one of the best centers in the league." D'Antoni added that the move also gives the Lakers, "a little more bounce to our step." Gasol so far has figured in 27 of the 40 games the Lakers have played this season, and is averaging a career-low 12.6 points on 43.2 percent shooting, along with a second-worst 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. Clark on the other hand has blossomed with regular playing time. In the four games he's started, the 6'10" forward has normed 8.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 blocks in 29.5 minutes. The Lakers are desperately searching for a spark. Their current 17-23 record has them 12th in the West, behind the Dallas Mavericks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Houston Rockets. - AMD, GMA News