NULL i join

Jeg har her en query:

SELECT debate.id, debate.subject, debate.time, COUNT(debate2.reply_id) AS replies, user.name
        FROM $DB.$table debate, $DB.user user
        LEFT JOIN $DB.$table debate2 ON debate.id=debate2.reply_id
        WHERE debate.user_id=user.id && debate.reply_id=$reply_id
        GROUP BY debate.id
        ORDER BY debate.time DESC

hvis user.name ikke eksisterer vil den ikke vise rækken?!