Andrew Bynum News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Chicago Tribune

"Pau Gasol made his season debut Thursday night. An argument could be made that Derrick Rose did too. Rallying from a brutal first half that mirrored his season-long struggles, Rose rallied with 16 of his team-high 20 points in the second half of the Bulls' 108-93 loss to the Lakers Thursday night at Staples Center. Rose has flashed glimpses of promise previously this season, most notably the fourth quarters of the Nov. 3 and Nov. 5 victories over the Bucks and Cavaliers, respectively. But if the Bulls are to take the next step this season -- and rebound from a game in which they clearly were outclassed by the defending NBA champions -- they'll need more performances like Rose's second half ..."

Lakers' Bynum to return Thursday

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November 11

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum joined his teammates for Tuesday's practice, suffered no immediate setbacks and pronounced himself ready to play Thursday against the resurgent Phoenix Suns. A strained right elbow no longer was an issue for him. Bynum sat out the past two games, a pair of ho-hum victories over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday. He was injured in the closing seconds of the Lakers' overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Nov. 4. "It's time for me to go out there and try it out," Bynum said. "No, I'm not going to be cautious. I went out there and banged with DJ (Mbenga) a little bit and nothing bad happened. No swelling came back, so I should be all right." ..."

Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol to miss another game

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November 8

Los Angeles Times

"Because the healing process has been slow, Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Pau Gasol will miss another game. Neither was able to practice Saturday and neither will play tonight when the Lakers face the struggling New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center. Bynum will miss his second consecutive game because of a strained right elbow. Gasol will miss his seventh consecutive game because of a strained right hamstring. "Hopefully, I can make it back by Thursday," Bynum said. "It's just a waiting game, really. I don't know, man. Just doing some treatment, doing a little bit of things, but it's basically got to heal up.""

Lakers big men Bynum and Gasol likely out Friday against Memphis

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November 6

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum's injured right elbow isn't as bad as originally thought, but he still might not play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum said it was doubtful he could play after an MRI exam revealed he has a strained elbow. Pau Gasol's strained right hamstring has healed, but he said it would be "very doubtful" that he could play tonight against his brother, Marc, and the Grizzlies. Gasol practiced with his teammates, but indicated he's not ready to play yet. Gasol did not participate in the full-contact portion of Thursday's practice. What might Lakers coach Phil Jackson do if neither of his 7-footers is sound enough to play against the Grizzlies? Well, he could give DJ Mbenga, the ..."

Bynum, Gasol are expected to miss Friday's game

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"It was a day of medical terms and injury evaluations, a time for the Lakers to take a breath after two overtime road victories and, of greater importance, take stock of their ailing big men. Andrew Bynum was their latest 7-footer to undergo an MRI exam, the results showing a strained right elbow that left him listed as doubtful for tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau Gasol did some work on the practice court Thursday but declared himself out for tonight's game, unless his strained right hamstring suddenly felt much, much better today. In other words, DJ Mbenga might start at center. Or if the Lakers go with a small lineup, Lamar Odom might get the call in the middle, with ..."

Lakers win, but Bynum leaves game with an elbow sprain

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November 5

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers won another game but might have lost another big man. Pau Gasol is a little closer to returning, but Andrew Bynum was injured toward the end of the Lakers' 103-102 overtime victory Wednesday over the Houston Rockets. Bynum was fouled hard across his right arm while going up for a shot and sustained a sprained elbow with 24.7 seconds left in overtime. He will be re-evaluated today in Los Angeles. "I can't even lift my arm right now," Bynum said. "They just took a shot at me. That's that, I guess. It's not that bad. It just takes a little while to heal up." Anybody ready for Lamar Odom at center? On the day that Gasol was cleared to resume basketball-related activities, the Lakers ..."

Andrew Bynum is overdue for earning his salary

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October 27

Los Angeles Times

"As another NBA season opens, the Lakers are positioned well, with arguably the best player and coach in the league. Forbes magazine thinks the Lakers have something else: the most overpaid player in the league, Andrew Bynum. Tom Van Riper writes, "Leading the pack [of most overpaid players] is Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, a first-round pick out of high school four years ago who's churned out nine points and six rebounds in 21 minutes per game as a pro. "Despite putting up meager numbers during his first three seasons, the Lakers, still intrigued with Bynum's 'project' potential, invested four more years and $58 million in him after the 2007-08 season."

Lakers' Bynum appears ready, Gasol isn't

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October 26

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum said he would be ready to play in the Lakers' regular-season opener Tuesday against the Clippers. His strained right rotator cuff no longer was troubling him Sunday. Neither was a sore left Achilles or a tight left hamstring. Pau Gasol's status for opening night was less certain, although he made it seem as if Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks or next Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks might be more realistic. His strained right hamstring was no better. Bynum laughed when asked if he was ready to play all 48 minutes Tuesday. "Everything's good," he said. "I came in early and got treatment, so everything's good. I'm feeling good. The shoulder, I got over it in ..."

Bynum looks great, but games don't count yet

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October 23

Los Angeles Times

"Andrew Bynum continues to run rampant on offense, averaging 20.3 points in exhibition play and looking nothing like the player who was such a non-factor in the Lakers' championship run last spring. He has been a presence down low, shooting 57.5% and scoring almost every one of his baskets via dunk or layup, but can he keep up this pace once the games count? "If his teammates are willing to look for him," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "With teams that we have an advantage, we should be taking advantage." There are some forces that might lessen Bynum's presence once the regular season begins. Pau Gasol has missed four games because of a strained hamstring, allowing Bynum to operate freely ..."

Lakers Bynum needs work on defense

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October 22

L.A. Daily News

columnist Elliott Teaford

"Everything seems fine on the surface. Actually, everything seems better than fine. Andrew Bynum is averaging team-leading totals of 20.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 30.2 minutes in the Lakers' first six exhibitions. And he's moving without any signs of trouble from an injured right knee that sidelined him for 32games last season. He's running and jumping and dunking in eye-catching fashion. As far as Lakers coach Phil Jackson is concerned, however, the 7-foot center has mastered only half the game. Offensively, all is right in Bynum's world. Defensively? Well, that's another story, one Jackson was all too eager to share with reporters Wednesday. "There were about four or five defensive ..."

Bynum takes center stage in Lake show

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October 16

Sacramento Bee

"Ron Artest grabbed the microphone, something he likes to do whether in a Kings uniform or otherwise. But he was the master of ceremonies of the Lake show instead of a Sacramento sideshow this time, looking proud in his new purple and gold digs at midcourt and welcoming an announced crowd of 14,741 to UNLV's Thomas"

Lakers' Bynum bracing for a big year

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October 7

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"The champagne had just sprayed in that muggy locker room in Orlando, and Andrew Bynum sat down in front of his locker for a breather amid the celebration. Nearby sat a trashcan, and Bynum looked over at it, lifted his head up, and picked up his knee brace. Bynum ceremoniously began to toss it in the trash. Then he stopped with a smile and pulled it back. Turns out, the thing might end up holding the Lakers together this season, too – and maybe even save Bynum's career. Nearly four months later, that brace for his right knee is still on – and his doctor is telling him he'll be wearing it for the rest of his career. Bynum even came into this season with a plan to wear another brace over his ..."

Lakers' Andrew Bynum does a job on Dwight Howard

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June 5

Los Angeles Times

"Andrew Bynum, the one with the still-smarting knee and the curiously shaky game, played Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to a relative draw, more than enough to allow the Lakers to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals with ease, 100-75. Bynum was averaging only 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in the playoffs before Thursday, but he had nine points and nine rebounds despite fighting foul trouble throughout the game. He was aggressive from the start, dunking off a feed from Pau Gasol, making a 12-footer and scoring a layup off a rebound in the first four minutes. He was part of the reason Howard shot so poorly -- one for six. "He had some times out there that I thought he played [Howard] really well," ..."

Bynum sees opportunity in matchup

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June 3

Orange County Register

"Andrew Bynum's evaluation of his postseason to date goes like this: "I've played well some games. Most games not." Well, here comes the opportunity for the Lakers' 21-year-old not only to salvage his individual situation but help the Lakers win the title in the center matchup with Dwight Howard, 23. Bynum isn't going to be 100 percent as he still recovers from his right knee injury, but he is excited that many of the best ways to contain Howard in the NBA Finals are things Bynum likes to do. For example, Bynum prefers to stay attached and bang with other big guys instead of being pulled away from the basket, and putting and keeping a body on Howard is a key issue. Bynum has been watching ..."

Lakers' Bynum has big Finals examination

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June 3

L.A. Daily News

"Despite playoff struggles, Lakers center eager for first experience in championship round. Lakers center Andrew Bynum glided through the paint, seeking an opening in the Denver Nuggets' defensive coverage. He found a sizable gap at about the mid-post, just to the left of the basket and out of the Nuggets' reach. Teammate Pau Gasol slipped a pass to him from the wing to beat a double team. Bynum caught the ball, took a long step toward the basket and unleashed a thunderous dunk - all in one fluid motion. The backboard swayed and shimmied as players ran to the other end of the court for the next possession. For an all-too-brief instant in Game6 of the Western Conference finals last Friday, ..."

Lakers' Bynum needs to come up big

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May 25

Denver Post

"Lakers' Bynum needs to come up big In search of a bridge that would take the Los Angeles Lakers from the seismic departure of Shaquille O'Neal to another NBA title, Andrew Bynum became L.A.'s version of the Golden Gate. He wasn't as big as O'Neal, but 7-feet and 285 pounds will do, and his whole NBA career was ahead of him. Plus, he liked Kobe Bryant. But after teasing the basketball world with Shaq-like performances in January, Bynum injured his knee for the second year in a row. With the Lakers inching closer to a second straight Finals appearance, he has become little more than he was when he first arrived after the Lakers drafted him No. 10 out of a New Jersey high school in 2005 and ..."

What's wrong with Lakers' Bynum?

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May 21

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"The knee still bothers Andrew Bynum, and it won't completely stop hurting until he gets a month of rest after the season. Phil Jackson has dropped the already lowered expectations for this 21-year-old basketball novice given the pressure of the NBA's final four and considering how effective veteran Lamar Odom was throughout the Lakers' sweep of Denver last spring. The constant foul trouble is something Bynum believes is a bias from referees against him while he's not playing well and not playing much and is not a problem that will just go away. And the Lakers can only rationalize it all by saying Bynum's $57 million contract extension doesn't take effect until next season, meaning it's OK ..."

Lakers center Bynum comes up big

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May 18

USA Today

"Now arriving in arenas near you (if you happen to live close to Los Angeles or Denver), just in time for the Western Conference finals:Return of the Twin Towers. GAME 7: Lakers advance with win over Rockets That is, if what happened Sunday in the Lakers' Game 7 defensive demolition of the Houston Rockets, fueled by 7-footers Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, is any indication. Then again, if Bynum pulls another no-show Tuesday in Game 1 between the Lakers and the Nuggets, the title might have to be Where Invisibility Happens. Bynum has become something of an X-factor for the Lakers, who mirrored his mercurial efforts in the last three games of a rugged Western semifinal series. • In Game 5, a ..."

Lakers' Andrew Bynum comes up big, thinks bigger

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May 18

Los Angeles Times

"Andrew Bynum was relieved. It was time to move on to another playoff series, one in which he would make a bigger impact if the Lakers and their center get their wish. If timing is everything, Bynum was solid Sunday against the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. He was pretty much a human pendulum against Houston, swinging back and forth between scoreless games, of which he logged three, and productive efforts. In Game 7, he had 14 points on six-for-seven shooting. He also had six rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal in 22 minutes. "Andrew played great," forward Pau Gasol said. "His production was very, very good. He played aggressive, he controlled the ..."

Lakers' Bynum looking sharp at the right time

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May 18

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum defied gravity now and again Sunday afternoon in Game 7. He leaped for shots and rebounds and blocks, moving with an ease that was glaringly absent from other recent games since his return from a 2 1/2-month layoff because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Instead of spending his day in foul trouble, instead of playing a step behind the opposition, Bynum had a positive impact on the Lakers' 89-70 victory over the Houston Rockets. He scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots. Bynum matched his career highs for points in a playoff game and set one by making six shots on seven attempts. The 7-foot center also had only two fouls and one ..."

Andrew Bynum and pals: young at heart and on court

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May 14

Los Angeles Times

"Reporting from Houston -- They're going down to the crossroads. . . . Having embarrassed themselves memorably in their last trip, the Lakers are about to show who they are: NBA title favorites? A young team that's merely one of several contenders? The NBA version of "Animal House"? Not that it was a great sign after their Game 5 wipeout to see the Lakers insist it wasn't payback for Game 4, maintaining the nonchalance that prompted ABC's Jeff Van Gundy to blurt, "What are they thinking about? What do they care about?" during Sunday's game. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant struck a dark new tone, however briefly, after a season of looking as tranquil as a Stepford wife. Bryant was asked if ..."

Bynum starts off hot for Lakers in Game 5 rout

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May 13

Houston Chronicle

"Had it not been for the back injury suffered by Lakers forward Lamar Odom two days earlier, Andrew Bynum likely would have been afterthought in Tuesday night's Game 5 against the Rockets. Lakers coach Phil Jackson had expressed his displeasure with Bynum's play since returning from a midseason knee injury and had been giving Odom more starts in the playoffs. But with Odom moving slower after falling hard to the floor Sunday, Bynum started and scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Lakers' 118-78 win that put them with one win of eliminating the Rockets. "He looked energized and he played with the kind of spirit we like to see from Andrew," Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said. ..."

Andrew Bynum gets up to speed

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May 13

Los Angeles Times

"Kareem Abdul-Jabbar smiles when he hears the question. How many times has he been asked what's wrong with Andrew Bynum? At least once," Abdul-Jabbar deadpanned. Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers' special assistant in charge of mentoring Bynum, has seen his protégé struggle since the playoffs began, averaging 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds coming into Tuesday's game against Houston. Bynum's regular-season averages were 14.3 points and eight rebounds a game. Bynum seemed to lose more confidence with every game, bottoming out with a scoreless effort Sunday against the Rockets and failing to look at the basket whenever he received a pass in the post. Abdul-Jabbar's reasoning? "Playoff basketball is ..."

Lakers' Bynum admits he's not 100 percent

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May 6

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum has tried to fight through it, to give what he could give and hope everyone lost the footage of what he was before the January knee injury. But the memories of that dominant young center are too near and dear to the Lakers' hearts. And video footage of a few months ago isn't that hard to come by these days. So Tuesday, after he made it onto the court for just more than 15 minutes in the Game 1 loss to Houston, Bynum acknowledged what has been obvious to anyone able to compare the before and after: his knee isn't 100 percent yet. "It's just not ready," he said. "I'm probably about 85-90 percent." Bynum said his knee doesn't hurt or swell up, but he doesn't feel the same ..."

Lakers help Bynum take baby steps

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May 1

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"As much as Andrew Bynum likes logic, mechanics and engineering, perhaps it will help the Lakers to put it this way: Here's a three-step guide to fixing their big man-child before the re-release of Postseason Bynum in just a matter of days. 1. Remember you are special Yes, it reeks of psychobabble, but you finished the first round stepping so softly through your 12 minutes of Game 5 that it was as if you were trying not to make plays. Your personal trainer was right in advising you to rediscover your "instincts." You'd been called for so many fouls and made so many mistakes in recent games that you just wanted to be quiet - and that's cheating yourself and your talent. That means you're ..."

While Lakers rest, Bynum puts in some work

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April 30

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum returned to the practice court Wednesday with a renewed sense of purpose. While some of his teammates showed up at the Lakers' training facility only to get medical treatment on nagging bumps and bruises, Bynum worked on his game. The 7-foot center played in an extended game of 3-on-3 under the watchful gaze of assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bynum then launched jump shots with assistant Kurt Rambis rebounding and offering pointers. Bynum didn't have much of an impact on the Lakers' victory over the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs. He would like to bolster their odds for a second-round win over either the Houston Rockets or Portland Trail Blazers, however. ..."

Andrew Bynum is ready to bounce back

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April 30

Los Angeles Times

"The low-key Lakers practice was already over on Wednesday, but the three-on-three sessions had not been enough to satisfy Andrew Bynum after his substandard play in the team's first-round playoff series against Utah. So Bynum put in extra work after his teammates left, shooting off to the side with Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis, the two talking about Bynum's correct form. Then, Bynum spoke about his poor play against the Jazz and about preparing to return to the starting lineup when the Lakers play either the Houston Rockets or Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center. The Rockets lead Portland, 3-2, with Game 6 tonight in ..."

Bynum's game needs fixing

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April 29

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"1. Remember that you are special. Yes, it reeks of psycho-babble, but you finished the first round stepping so softly through your 12 minutes of Game 5 that it was as if you were trying not to make plays. Your personal trainer was right in advising you to rediscover your "instincts." You'd been called for so many fouls and made so many mistakes in recent games that you just wanted to be quiet - and that's cheating yourself and your talent. That means you're cheating the Lakers, who don't have anyone as big and bouncy as you - especially when it comes to matching up with a behemoth such as 7-foot-6 Yao Ming next round, in all likelihood. As well as the Lakers can play with Lamar Odom and ..."

Andrew Bynum shows he's not ready for the show

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April 28

Los Angeles Times

columnist Bill Plaschke

"The most important celebrity at Staples Center on Monday night wore no baseball cap, beard stubble or attitude. The most important celebrity at Staples Center did not have torn jeans, a pouty smile or affected swagger. But, like the rest of them, he didn't stroll in until the second quarter. And, at times, it did seem as if he wasn't really watching the game. And, no, we're not sure when he's coming back. On a night when Will Ferrell or Leonardo DiCaprio filled the room, the most important celebrity was Andrew Bynum. Only there is no humor here, and the drama is real. On a night the Lakers smoothly paved over their first-round series against the Utah Jazz with a 107-96 victory and a ..."

Bynum struggling with fouls

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April 25

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andrew Bynum has rarely performed like he did Thursday night in Game 3 of the Jazz-Lakers series. The young center hopes it doesn't happen again. Limited to seven minutes by foul trouble and possibly the lingering effects of regular-season knee surgery, Bynum scored two points and grabbed two rebounds during Utah's 88-86 win. Bynum was called for his first foul 16 seconds into the game. He picked up his second foul four minutes later, when his ability to impact Game 3 went to the bench with him. Asked if he's ever been less productive in a NBA game, Bynum smiled and said, "I've done that about two of three times. Never in only seven minutes, though." He continued: "Offensive fouls are ..."

Jazz: Bynum's tall task: Joining L.A. elite

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April 22

Salt Lake Tribune

"He's a legit 7-footer. Athletic, long limbed, blessed with enormous potential. Andrew Bynum is not under any particular pressure in L.A., other than following in the line of George Mikan , Wilt Chamberlain , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal as the Lakers' next great center. Yet in the opener the 21-year-old was next to invisible, scoring only seven points and pulling down just three rebounds. Of course, it was only his fifth game back after missing 32 games with a knee injury. "He's fine," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson . "Andrew had just one of those games where he got in foul trouble. They just had too much penetration. He got caught up in some things that didn't work out ..."

Bynum is finding his playoff legs

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April 22

Orange County Register

"Five games isn't much to measure a player's progress. But apparently it's enough according to Phil Jackson's barometer. He said Andrew Bynum was "fine" after watching him ease back into the Lakers' offense since returning from a tear in his medial collateral ligament. The coach was somewhat concerned about the foul trouble that limited him in Game 1 of the first-round series against Utah, but it wasn't enough to add to his gray hair. "We have to use him on the other end of the floor where his strengths are," Jackson said. Jackson might want to recheck his gauge after Bynum's performance in Game 2. After hitting his first five shots, Bynum disappeared. He went scoreless in the second, third ..."

Is Bynum the missing piece?

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April 19

Orange County Register

columnist Jeff Miller

"They are more whole this time, more themselves, more defensive, deeper and longer, 14 feet worth of discouragement awaiting the opposition. The prelude hasn't been ideal, not with half of that 14-foot obstacle still searching for his game legs - and his game. But 14 feet is 14 feet, no more so than in basketball, an endeavor that can be greatly altered if one team plays with a more positive altitude. "Having two 7-footers out there at the same time can be tough for our opponents," Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic said. "It can make them go into a wonderland kind of thing." Make the opposition go ga-ga, that's the idea Vujacic was trying to express, his Slovenianess getting in the way. But can ..."

Andrew Bynum excited to experience playoff series

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April 17

Los Angeles Times

"He's not quite a novice, but Andrew Bynum is really a neophyte when it comes to experiencing the postseason. Four years into an NBA career that has been derailed by knee injuries, Bynum has played a total of 57 minutes for the Lakers in the playoffs. That will all change when Bynum suits up Sunday for the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. "I'm just a little bit excited, a little bit anxious because I've never been there, I've never had an opportunity to play in an actual playoff series," Bynum said. "I want to see what the atmosphere is going to be like, how the fans are going to react." He knows ..."

Lakers' Bynum eager for playoffs

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April 17

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum's playoff experience consists almost exclusively of sitting at the end of the Lakers' bench and watching his teammates play. After all, he played only two minutes in one playoff game as a rookie in 2005-06, when the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round. He played in five games in 2006-07, when the Lakers again lost to the Suns in the opening round. Last season, he couldn't play because of a left kneecap injury. He could only watch the Lakers lose to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, disappointed that he couldn't help them by throwing down a few dunks or grabbing a couple of rebounds. Naturally, Bynum said he is looking forward to playing a more significant ..."

Lakers center Bynum playing catch-up

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April 15

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum played in his fourth and final tune-up on Tuesday night at Staples Center, which also happened to be the Lakers' regular-season finale. Bynum and the Lakers will begin the playoffs this weekend, and his game is still a work in progress. The 7-foot center scored in double figures in each of his first three games, looking almost like he did before he injured his right knee in a Jan. 31 game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Almost, but not quite. He looked a step behind the action at times, particularly on the defensive end. His rebounding wasn't what he hoped it would be, and he didn't block many shots. His fitness was good, but not as good as he believes it will be soon. Asked ..."

Bynum's knee passes big test

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April 13

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"Just 2:19 into the game, it happened again … and Andrew Bynum's world stopped. In almost the same spot under the same Staples Center basket where Bynum crumpled last season, he froze, cringed and grabbed his knee. Bynum had been caught flat-footed Sunday night by Memphis center Marc Gasol's baseline spin move. Bynum's just-healed right knee had been left out there in a wide stance, the exposed leg planted like an orange cone for the big guy Memphis fans call "The Tank" to crush. The 265-pound Gasol did, in fact, drive forward through Bynum's leg. One guy's right knee mashed into the other guy's. Bynum bent over at the waist, checking for reasons to fall to the floor. "I stood there and ..."

Andrew Bynum looks good in return

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April 10

Los Angeles Times

"There was a video montage filled with his highlights, followed by a black-and-white screen that said with strong simplicity: "Bynum's Baaaack." Indeed, Andrew Bynum returned after missing 32 games, and the Lakers continued along the same successful path they had experienced without their 21-year-old center, defeating the Denver Nuggets, 116-102, Thursday at Staples Center. Bynum had 16 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes as the Lakers (63-16) moved to within half a game of Cleveland in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Lakers also managed to clinch home court against Boston (59-19) should they happen to meet again in the Finals. Kobe Bryant had 33 points ..."

Wait til you see Andrew Bynum

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April 6

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"Andrew Bynum is coming back, perhaps as soon as Thursday night against Denver. Just as those "Banging with Mbenga" T-shirts were starting to take off, too. (It's just as well, because it doesn't take a wordsmith to realize those shirts should say: "Mbanging with Mbenga." Maybe as a tribute, Bynum will go out there Thursday night with "MBYNUM" on his back.) Just in watching Bynum do his thing in a pregame workout session with Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw on Sunday night, anyone would conclude that Bynum can do pretty much whatever he is needed. He is pain-free and if this were the postseason would undoubtedly be playing right now. He's fully capable of helping right now, too. Phil ..."

Jackson expecting Bynum to participate in workouts today

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April 2

L.A. Daily News

"Coach Phil Jackson expects injured center Andrew Bynum to participate in today's workout when the Lakers return to their El Segundo practice facility. It won't be anything special, maybe just a 2-on-2 game with teammates. "We anticipate he'll be playing multi-player games," Jackson said Wednesday night. "You know, two-on-two or something like that, so there's some traffic, but he's not ready for 5-on-5. And to be honest with you we won't have that type of practice (today). I'll probably ask a couple of guys come in (today)." Bynum has been playing in 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 games at home in Southern California while the team has been on its seven-game, cross-country trip. The Lakers completed ..."

Bynum still in the picture

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April 1

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"There are too many people taking the short view, and it's misleading. Image No. 1: Andrew Bynum, wearing too-cool sunglasses and an open-mouthed grin, is happily holding on his shoulders a likewise smiling Playboy Playmate - white bunny ears on her head and white bra bulging at all the appropriate places. He's not with the Lakers on their season-long seven-game trip because he's recovering from a knee injury, and he hasn't played since Jan. 31. He was photographed Saturday night while attending a pajama party at the Playboy Mansion after Playboy's annual golf tournament. Image No. 2: Pau Gasol, eyelids droopy and hair still wet from a long postgame shower to steam away the aches, has just ..."

Lakers center Bynum does bunny hop

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April 1

L.A. Daily News

"If the Lakers were troubled in the least to see an Internet photo of injured center Andrew Bynum partying with a friend on his shoulders Saturday night at the Playboy Mansion, they weren't saying so publicly Tuesday night. In fact, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wondered what the fuss was about. "I think there's a lot being made out of that that's unnecessary," Jackson said before the Lakers lost to the Charlotte Bobcats. "This is a young guy. He's a 21-year-old guy. He's been out of basketball for six weeks. He's got to let out some energy and have some fun. I don't know if putting a girl on your shoulders is a good idea. "The fact that people are beating him up over that, I think that is ..."

Lakers rolling, but Andrew Bynum key to ring

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March 29

New York Daily News

columnist Mitch Lawrence

"Kobe Bryant left the Meadowlands late Friday night with a win in his pocket and a burning sensation in his right ankle. He was headed back to the city, but not for a nightÂ on the town. He was going back to the Lakers' team hotel to get his next round of treatment, to get the tendon in his ankle to "calm down," and to make sure he'll play today in Atlanta against the Hawks, when the Lakers try to go 5-for-5 on their seven-game road trip. Somebody joked, so you're 50-50 to play against the Hawks? Bryant laughed, then said, "The only question is if I'll play like crap, or if I play good to help the team out." Chances are, it will be the latter. No team has ever gone 7-0 on a road trip in ..."

It's logical - Lakers need to bench Bynum

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March 27

Orange County Register

columnist Kevin Ding

"Enough with all this irrelevant talk about how long it has been since the Lakers won here. If you want to live in this day and age, look at it this way: This was Pau Gasol's first trip here as a Laker, and the Lakers won. Gasol wasn't here last year - when the Lakers lost by one on Lamar Odom's buzzer-beating air ball and Kobe Bryant walked off the court asking Phil Jackson in frustration, "What are we doing?!" Then the Lakers traded for Gasol the next morning. Odom played better than Gasol on Thursday night. And it'll bear watching the rest of the regular season whether Gasol is wearing down from the team-high minutes he has logged all season and the overtime he has worked since Andrew ..."

Bynum's role upon return depends on what Lakers need

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March 27

L.A. Daily News

"Coach Phil Jackson hinted Thursday that Andrew Bynum might play a reserve role when he returns from a torn medial collateral ligament. He also seemed to suggest that the 7-foot center could rejoin to the starting lineup. Jackson would not say when Bynum would be back on the floor, however. "We'll just have to see how he comes back, not when," Jackson said before the Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons. "Does he come back in condition where he can play 25 or 30 minutes? Is he going to be a `Starbury' (Stephon Marbury of the Boston Celtics), where he's playing 12 or 14 minutes a game, and then increase it that way? "So, we'll see how he fits in. He's running on the court and that's about it. ..."

Lakers center Bynum could be 'one of the greats'

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March 18

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum is still wearing street clothes for at least another few weeks, but if and when he ever gets healthy, he could be "one of the greats." That's the opinion of the Lakers resident guru of all things triangle, Tex Winter. "He doesn't feed (pass) as well yet," Winter said. "But if he keeps learning, and if he can stay healthy, he could be one of the greats." The 87-year old Winter literally wrote the book on the triangle, or triple-post, offense in 1962 and has coached it with Lakers coach Phil Jackson throughout each of his two NBA dynasties. So how do the Lakers current big men stack up to some of the Chicago Bulls big men during their glory years? Winter said he thought Horace ..."

Lakers' Bynum still in running

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March 16

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum's running career is going nicely. No pain, no setbacks, no reason to slow down. He believes it won't be long before resumes his regular gig as the Lakers' starting center, however. "I just hope in a couple of weeks I'll be able to do more in practice and then in another week after that I'll be able to play," Bynum said after the Lakers' 107-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. Bynum has been sidelined since suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee in a Jan. 31 game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers' original estimate was that he would be out for between eight and 12 weeks. If all goes well, if Bynum's plan is ..."

Bynum says he'll 'definitely' return

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March 16

Los Angeles Times

"Andrew Bynum will be back this season. He guarantees it. The Lakers center is feeling optimistic entering his seventh week since sustaining a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee Jan. 31. "It's been a good six weeks," he said Sunday afternoon. "I'm running on the treadmill, no pain, every day. I just hope that the lateral movement gets a little better in the next couple of weeks. That's what the doctor told me." Bynum has been out since Kobe Bryant collided with him in a Jan. 31 game at Memphis. He is on schedule to return in April, though whether it's earlier or later in the month remains to be seen. "I went to get on the court and see what happens if I start trying to do ..."

Maybe only six regular-season games for Bynum

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March 10

Orange County Register

"Figure on Andrew Bynum getting maybe six regular-season games, at most. Given that Phil Jackson doesn't expect Bynum until sometime in April, it'd be reasonable to envision the Lakers bringing Bynum back for a relatively cushy situation on Jan. 5 against the Clippers, whom Bynum roasted last time the teams met. That would give Bynum six games before the playoffs. (Jan. 3, the Lakers' first game back from a seven-game trip, brings Houston and Yao Ming.) When a reporter asked before the game for an update on Bynum's attempt to return from his torn knee ligament, Jackson said: "There's nothing that's going to go on here until April." So the Lakers apparently aren't expecting Bynum to beat the ..."

It's not the same without Andrew Bynum

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February 28

Los Angeles Times

"It started here in Denver and then swept to the cable sports TV shows. Are the Lakers better without Andrew Bynum? Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl brought up the question and gave his own answer -- they probably are -- when asked about it Thursday by Denver reporters. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson didn't commit either way. "Offensively, we're more streamlined," he said. "We run probably a little bit better offensively and we can do things out there with multiple ballhandlers on the floor, particularly with Luke [Walton] and Lamar [Odom] at that wing spot. That part of our game -- fastbreaks, scoring -- has, I think, gone up." Then he balanced out his thought process with one sweeping ..."