Brown could get the start

With every loss that collects at the feet of the Lakers, the door to the starting lineup is pushed open another inch or two.

A few minutes after a punchless 108-92 defeat Friday in Philadelphia, Coach Phil Jackson paused dramatically before allowing that Andrew Bynum needed to “get off the front line” and “out of that enemy fire for a while,” and, later, that Smush Parker “has trouble resetting himself after he doesn’t get going.”

Bynum, with time in his corner, is more likely to be replaced as a starter by Kwame Brown than Parker by Shammond Williams, but the next couple of games will be interesting to track, staring tonight against Dallas.

Brown, who turned 25 on Saturday, still feels pain in a tender left ankle that caused him to sit out 27 games, but his effort against the 76ers -- 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists -- might make him a starter again.

“I thought I was pretty good out there,” Brown said. “In a few games, maybe even Sunday, I’ll be ready [to start]. Whatever he decides, I’ll do it.”

Parker’s situation is more complex.

Despite starting every game last season and all 63 this season, Parker can’t shake inconsistencies in defense and shooting. Parker and Williams are free agents after the season, although Williams deferred when asked about a possible starter’s role after scoring a season-high 14 points against Philadelphia.

“I’m not here to take over Smush’s position and all those types of things,” he said. “If they feel like Smush isn’t playing up to his level, my job is to get him up to his level so we can compete and get successful. All that other stuff, that’s Phil’s job.”

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Other than throwing open the possibility to lineup changes, there seems to be an overall tranquillity in Jackson’s actions and words, even though the Lakers (33-30) haven’t been so few games over .500 since being 8-5 back in November.

A believer in playing the hand he’s dealt, Jackson knows the roster will eventually be restocked by players coming back from injuries, with Lamar Odom’s return being the main question mark.

“When we get our personnel back, we’ll be fine,” Jackson said. “There’s attrition in some form or fashion when you just don’t have personnel. It’s just numbers. It’s just a matter of that.”

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Kobe Bryant looked down the court before last Tuesday’s game against Minnesota and saw Kevin Garnett, whom he considers a friend. A somewhat unlucky friend, at that.

Since losing to the Lakers in the 2004 Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves haven’t been back to the playoffs and are struggling again this season despite beating the Lakers last week.

“It’s tough whenever a player goes such a long time and doesn’t win an NBA championship or have an opportunity to contend for an NBA title,” Bryant said recently. “A couple years ago, they had the best record in the league. I feel for him.”

Bryant was then asked how he would feel if he were in Garnett’s shoes. “I don’t know what I would do if I was in that situation,” he said. “It’s tough. I don’t know.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 6, FSN West, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 33-30, Mavericks 51-9.

Record vs. Mavericks -- 1-2.

Update -- The Mavericks have won 16 consecutive games and have pulled away from Phoenix for the best record in the NBA. The Lakers ended the Mavericks’ 13-game winning streak with a 101-98 victory Jan. 7 at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points in that game,

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com