Before tonight’s game against the Jazz, Coach Jackson said that injured centered Andrew Bynum saw a specialist today, but the prognosis was essentially the same as it was a few weeks ago.
Bynum has seen slight improvement in his injured knee and will wait another three to four weeks before determining his next course of action.
If there is no improvement, Andrew will likely undergo arthroscopic surgery on the knee.
Injured Lakers Center Andrew Bynum will seek another opinion on the left knee that has caused him to sit out since mid-January.
Team spokesman John Black informed the media that Bynum will seek the advice of Dr. Steven Gecha of Princeton, New Jersey.
Bynum was injured mid-way through the January 13th game against the Memphis Grizzlies and has not returned to action since. Andrew has followed a rehab regiment that has allowed him to work on the court, but not to the point that he would be ready to compete at an NBA level.
He recently told the LA Times, “I doubt there’s going to be a comeback this year. I’ve got to get my knee straight. At this point, I’d have to train for a good month just to be able to go out there and play.”
“It’s frustrating because I can do everything but what pertains to basketball — running and jumping, defensive slides.”
Lakers.com reflects on the team’s tremendous ’07-’08 campaign, doling out its end of the season awards.
Most Improved: Andrew Bynum
Prior to his knee injury mid-way through the season, the Lakers phenom was well on his way to a 
breakout season, carving his place as one of the NBA’s best up-and-coming big men. Although his averages of 13 points and 10 rebounds for the season are more than solid, #17 improved each month prior to his injury, capped off by his outstanding month of January in which he put up over 17 points and 12 rebounds a game. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, who knows where his numbers would have ended up this season had he not missed the final 46 games.
Most Surprising: Sasha Vujacic
Even though he was heading into a contract year, few experts or fans had any reason to expect 
much from the Slovenian guard. Once labeled an “11:00 a.m.” player by Coach Jackson, Sasha has shredded the title this season, finally becoming the sharpshooter the Lakers thought they signed four years ago, putting up nine points a game on 44% shooting from beyond the arc. Whereas only a season ago, Vujacic was one of the last men off of the bench, it is now not uncommon to see Sasha playing critical minutes as a key part of the Lakers’ rotation.
Most Disappointing: Luke Walton
With Odom injured at the start of last season, Kobe desperately needed a teammate that could help 
keep the Lakers afloat in the über competitive Western Conference. Enter: Luke Walton. For most of last season, the forward was arguably the second best player to don the purple and gold, finally combining his widely discussed basketball IQ with a vastly improved offensive repertoire. However, this season has brought on one disappointment after another for Walton as injuries and a lack of confidence have derailed much of the momentum he established last season. On the year, Luke is averaging only seven points and four rebounds.
Before tonight’s victory against the Hornets, injured center Andrew Bynum spoke with reporters, offering his perspective after receiving news that he has not been cleared to play.
When asked about his return, Bynum said, “I don’t know. I guess I’ve got to play when I’m ready. I’ll get there some day. I just feel unstable, kind of. I still have a little bit of pain…jumping, landing, back pedaling, quick changes of direction, there’s still problems.”
With the season winding down, Andrew said he does not know when he will be able to make his much-anticipated return to action.
“There’s been a bunch of target dates, but as of right now, I don’t see a target for me,” said Bynum. “Like I said, it’ll just happen when I’m ready.”
Andrew said he hopes to be back at some point during the playoffs, but said, “Nobody knows…a couple of weeks from now, I might be good, I might not be good.”
Injury Update: Before tonight’s pivotal game against the Hornets, Coach Jackson said that Trevor Ariza will be re-examined in 2 weeks to check on the progress of his broken foot, after receiving word today that the fracture has yet to fully heal. With regards to injured center Andrew Bynum, Jackson said that he was justifiably disappointed after learning this weekend that he has not been cleared to play yet.
Jackson also discussed Chris Mihm’s ongoing return from injury, revealing that, “Right now, D.J. (Mbenga) is probably a little more active, a little more in condition in game shape than Chris is right now. But we’re still bringing Chris along in hopes that he’ll be there to help shore up our front court.”
Jackson compared this season’s final push to 15 years ago when his Chicago Bulls faced off against the New York Knicks in the final game of the season with the conference record yet to be decided and Scottie Pippen in the thick of the Most Valuable Player debate.
When asked about the team’s game plan tonight against point guard Chris Paul, Jackson said, “The thought process is to stop his penetration. What happens after that, try and close down on the shooters, yes. Try and limit the amount of lobs and dunks, of course. If that means he has got to take shots, that’ll be part of it, but not to let him score or really let him do anything hopefully.”
Center Andrew Bynum has missed 42 games because of a knee injury suffered against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 13th. That number will continue to rise after receiving news today that he has not been cleared for full practice or contact drills.
The news came after Bynum flew to New York to consult with knee specialist Dr. David Altchek on Wednesday.
“This should not be seen as a setback in any way,” said Altchek. “Andrew will continue with his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers’ training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status.”
Injury Update: Jackson said that Andrew Bynum is scheduled to fly to New York today to undergo a check-up that will go a long way for determining whether or not Andrew is able to practice this Saturday in preparation for a possible Sunday return. Jackson also updated Luke Walton’s injury status, revealing that he is back on the court doing basketball related activities, but has yet to run at full velocity.
After today’s practice, Coach Jackson said that the team went through a video session today that focused on guard defense and penetration–two areas the team had trouble with in their loss to the Blazers last night.
In glancing ahead to the remaining four games on the season, Jackson said that he warned his team that the Clippers still pose a formidable threat, especially now that Elton Brand is back in action. Although center Chris Kaman’s might not be available, the Lakers coach said that a lineup featuring Magette, Mobley and Brand is still potent.
Jackson also reiterated his season-long stance that the team’s goal is to do the best they possibly can in the standings and to make sure they have home court advantage in the playoffs. With that said, Jackson said it is too early to begin scouting potential matchups with teams still jockeying for position heading into the season’s final week.
Before tonight’s final regular season showdown with the Dallas Mavericks, Coach Jackson was asked whether or not the Mavericks would be playing with an air of desperation tonight with their place in the playoffs anything but secure.
“I just think that they’ll play the same way they play…I haven’t seen any teams do what we used to call “mail it in” or play on a limited basis,” said Jackson. “Everybody’s came out and played basketball versus us for the past month…we think all of the teams are very competitive and we have to rise to meet that challenge.”
Jackson praised the Mavericks’ effort in heir blowout victory over Golden State on Wednesday night, particularly their ability to break down the Warrior’s defense.
“They came out and did exactly what they had to do against that zone which was bust out and gets fast breaks against it and early baskets and they took the wind right out of Golden State early in the ball game,” Jackson said. “It was a good adjustment–coaching adjustment–right attitude, but I don’t know if it was a bust out game for them. But, one of the things I do know is that they have been starting quickly and they’ve been getting out of the blocks early.”
Team Spokesman John Black informed the media members at practice today that Center Andrew Bynum ran on the court for the first time since sustaining a knee injury against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 13th.
Bynum’s rehab has included running on the team’s Alter-G treadmill, which can regulate a percentage of the users body weight.
Bynum has been increasing the percentage of his body weight on a regular basis, but today was the first time that he has ran at 100% since the injury occurred.
“He’s doing good. He did more work today than he’s done up to this point. We just push him to a point where he’s really active and see how he reacts to it,” said Head Coach Phil Jackson.
Jackson plans to have Bynum accompany the team on it’s next road trip to get back into the flow of the team.
“One. So he can stay abreast of what we’re doing from day-to-day. We’re putting new things in as we go along through the season, so you’ve got to know that. Two. So he can go through shoot-arounds and practices. There’s a sequence of days that we’ll be doing that and those are all participation that you get yourself ready to play. Three. So he can get with his teammates and hang out with his teammates so he remembers their names.
Before tonight’s game against the Warriors, Coach Jackson said that the team probably will not take Gasol with them for tomorrow night’s back-to-back affair against Golden State, but hopefully he’ll be able to get on the court this week, with hopes that he’ll be able to return on Friday against Memphis.
Once Gasol and Andrew Bynum return from injury, Jackson said he expects an adjustment period before the two can play with maximum efficiency with one another. Jackson said that the acclimation process will be, “No problem with Gasol. Playing with both Bynum and Gasol will probably take a little bit.” According to the Lakers coach, there may be some initial confusion about defensive assignments and rebounding.
With the Western Conference race so tight heading toward the postseason, Jackson said that the increased competition will certainly keep teams sharp down the final stretch, but the Lakers will still have to step it up a notch once the playoffs begin. “You always have to have an extra gear in the playoffs,” Jackson said. “There’s a step up of energy, execution, physicality because you don’t play back-to-back so you can catch an extra breath in between games.”
Jackson also addressed the role that injuries continue to play in determining positioning in the West. Although Dallas lost Dirk Nowitzki to injury for at least two weeks today, the Lakers coach said that he still expects them to play at a high level thanks to the solid backup play of Brandon Bass and Deavean George. Jackson related the Mav’s unfortunate turn of events to the Rockets’ loss of Yao Ming for the season; for Houston, an injury to their superstar player forced the Rockets to come together as a team, propelling them to a 22-game winning streak.
FROM LAKERS.com
