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When Lamar Odom was asked how Andrew Bynum looked in L.A.’s Saturday practice, he needed just a word: “Awesome.”
Odom went on to explain what ‘Drew was able to do in the team’s 5-on-5 session and what having the young center back in L.A.’s lineup will mean for the Lakers, and we had the camera rolling:
We’ve been talking a lot about Andrew Bynum lately, haven’t we?
It’s a simple supply and demand thing … But you’re ready for some more, right?
Before Sunday’s game against the Clippers - whom Bynum torched for 42 and 15 a few games before going down - Phil Jackson had his most positive comments to date regarding his young center’s return: “There’s an outside chance that we may activate him before the week’s out.”
In fact, Jackson hinted that Bynum could begin playing in games almost immediately, but that the team would like him to have a few more solid practices before he sees game action. Apparently, Bynum was back to his dominant self in Saturday’s practice.
“He looks good - physically he’s strong,” Jackson explained. “He had contact on Thursday and on Saturday we played 5-on-5 without Pau, Fish and Kobe. (Bynum) did well. He stood out, he was aggressive … He was kind of a dominant force in there.”
Alas, Bynum will not accompany the team to Sacramento on Monday afternoon for Tuesday night’s game; it still appears that the Memphis* game a week from today is the most likely return date for Bynum. Jackson didn’t rule out an earlier return, which would mean Denver on Thursday or Portland on Friday.
*Jackson did acknowledge the mental challenge Bynum would face in going against the team he’s hurt both knees against, but said he expects ‘Drew to handle it.
The next question, of course, is whether or not Bynum returns to L.A.’s starting lineup or comes off the bench, and Jackson implied the former.
“I haven’t crossed that yet but I kind of envision him going back as a starter again, just because he has an injury that he’s recovering from that takes some activation still,” said the head coach.
Jackson’s basic reasoning is that Bynum can use pregame warmups to get his leg going, and not run the risk of it cooling down by sitting for the first few minutes of the first quarter. This also makes sense alongside Lamar Odom’s recent comments that he’s more than willing to go back to the bench if that will help the squad.
Sensing that you might want to see this for yourself, we kept a camera on ‘Drew for a few minutes.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been undergoing supervised basketball and conditioning workouts at L.A.’s practice facility since Monday, March 23, making progress towards the full rehabilitation of the MCL in his right knee that was torn on Jan. 31st in Memphis.
According to team spokesman John Black, Bynum is operating under the watchful eyes of both Lakers Director of Scouting/Basketball Consultant Bill Bertka and longtime team physical therapy consultant Clive Brewster of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Bertka has been putting Bynum through various basketball drills while Brewster – who has successfully rehabilitated injuries suffered by Mitch Kupchak, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and others – is in charge of Bynum’s step-by-step rehabilitation.
To read the full article, HEAD HERE ON LAKERS.COM.
When Phil Jackson was asked his opinion of a photo of Andrew Bynum, he came to the defense of his young center:
“You know what, I think there’s a lot being made out of that that’s unnecessary … Andrew’s a 21-year-old guy who’s been out of basketball for six weeks, and he’s got to have some energy and have some fun. I don’t know if putting a girl on your shoulders or not is (the way to go) … But the fact that people are beating him up about it, I think that’s crazy. Andrew’s doing fine and he’s going to be fine.”
Jackson was much more concerned - for the better - with Bynum’s claim on his official website that he’d been playing 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 under Mitch Kupchak’s watchful eye.
“I think the best news out of his blog that he sent out is the fact that he said he thinks he’s going to play in a regular season game,” he said. “That shows me some confidence. The last time I talked to him before we left on this road trip, Andrew said he was ‘Hopeful.’ But this time he sounded confident.”
Here’s the pregame audio of Jackson’s comments not just on Bynum, but on Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats.
Among Jackson’s most interesting comments was a description of what made Jordan such a special player.
Prior to L.A.’s win over Detroit, Phil Jackson answered a few questions about Andrew Bynum. Here’s the word-by-word transcription, followed by a chronological trail of Bynum updates since he tore his MCL on Jan. 31st against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Q: On if the Lakers are just as good offensively without Bynum:
Phil Jackson: “We’re more fluid as an offensive team without Andrew. With two seven footers, you don’t run as well … You don’t have probably as quick a fast break or as consistent a flow game, which the NBA is really suited for. Pau Gasol is a very mobile, active player that can step off the post, shoot shots, make passes and plays and gives us an opportunity to play Lamar Odom considerable minutes. He’s a terrific player, and gives us a whole different (way) to play - it releases Kobe (Bryant) to play a forward position, striking position and he’s much more aggressive in that spot.”
Q: On if Bynum will start or come off the bench:
Jackson: “We just have to see how he comes back. Is he going to be in condition where he can play 25-30 minutes and (be able to start) or is he going to play 12-14 minutes a game and increase it that way. We’ll see how it fits in.”
Q: On Bynum’s current activity:
Jackson: He’s running on the court and that’s about it. He’s doing some basketball skills, but he’s a considerable amount of time yet before he’s going to be able to even (practicing) with us.
Q: On why L.A.’s better defensively with Bynum:
Jackson: Better rebounding team, have a shot blocker that’s a considerable talent back there to face drivers. There’s a lot of things he gives us that we don’t have right now.
Past Bynum Links
1) Could Be A Bit For Bynum: March 19
2) Bynum Continues to Improve: March 12
3) Phil on Bynum: Ask Me In April: March 9
4) Andrew Bynum (Brief) Update: February 25
5) Andrew Bynum Update: February 17
6) Pregame On Camera Interview: February 2
7) MRI Reveals Torn MCL for Bynum: February 2
8) Scene of the Crime - Lakers/Grizzlies Running Diary: January 31
Two weeks ago, when Phil Jackson mentioned that he wasn’t interested in answering questions about Andrew Bynum until April, it didn’t keep reporters from asking.
Sure enough, prior to Thursday’s media session, the latest news we had was that the center had begun running on a treadmill with no negative repercussions, and that he had begun basketball-related activities, but he was still a ways away from playing with his teammates.
But Jackson went further prior to L.A.’s game against Golden State
Right now Andrew is, it looks like, a month away, and that’s like the end of the season. This is a from a guy who has been watching players recover and not a trainer, and certainly not a physical therapist, but I think he’s still a month away from being a player.
Jackson went on to say that the best case scenario is that Bynum plays in early April, but qualified his statement by saying that it’s “really hard to see him (playing) in two weeks.”
So much for no news until April…
Good news on the Andrew Bynum front: The young center began running on a treadmill Tuesday, and there have been no negative repercussions thus far.
The news is at least a tad surprising, since in Portland on Monday Phil Jackson had informed reporters that there would be little to talk about until April.
Last week, we learned that Bynum had begun doing cardio on a stationary bike and a Precor machine, which was progress from Jackson’s comments just after the All-Star break.
Just after the injury, we spoke to Bynum in New York City, and he already was in high spirits. With the ongoing news all suggesting that he remains on schedule, chances are that his mood hasn’t changed.
Phil Jackson made it quite clear prior to Monday evening’s tip in Portland that he won’t have anything to add when it comes to Andrew Bynum until April.
Phil’s exact quote: “We’ll find out when we get back (to L.A.) whether or not (Bynum) will start running or not. We’re just allowing this part of his body to heal and come back at the appropriate time. I think I said last week, “Don’t ask me again until April.” … There’s nothing that’s going to go on here until April.”
Lakers center Andrew Bynum has progressed in his rehabilitation regiment to include cardio work on a stationary bicycle as well as on a Precor machine. The Precor machine simulates cross country skiing and is popular with athletes because it does not create any impact on one’s joints.
There is no schedule for Bynum’s return, as he’ll simply progress on the rehab of the torn MCL in his right knee based on his response to the training.
We’ll be sure to include updates as soon as they’re made available.
FROM LAKERS.com
