The Lakers are 12-1 since losing Andrew Bynum to a knee injury, and Nuggets coach George Karl believes we should entertain the idea that they are better without the center.

"Don't you have to make the statement that maybe they're better without Bynum?" Karl asked reporters on Thursday.

"Why do we always say Bynum? How many games has he played for this team? I like Bynum. I think he's a great player. But sometimes you can have too much talent out there and it can kind of be confusing."