<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="vitstorybody"><span class="vitstorybody"> Bynum played all 82 games last season, averaging 7.8 points on 55.8 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots.</p> Because of injuries to Brown and Mihm, Bynum started the first 14 games, averaging 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds. But there was a slow decline in his productivity, and his stamina and work ethic were questioned.</p> If Bynum were to live up to the big expectations placed on his 7-foot, 285-pound frame, something had to change. That's where Zarzana came in.</p> Zarzana began the process by educating Bynum on nutrition, sleeping habits and overall wellness. He worked with something Zarzana calls core neuromuscular proprioceptive training, to "try to get the brain and body to function together."</p> Then there were the workouts. Zarzana designed a program that makes Bynum "more effective at his position." They worked out four to six hours, six to seven days a week in Atlanta.</p> Bynum ran a mile in 8 minutes, 49 seconds when they began. Zarzana said he's shaved more than two minutes off that time.</p> Bynum improved his bench press from 265 pounds to 305, and his squats from 265 pounds 10 times to 405 pounds 10 times. His body fat dropped from 12 percent to nine.</p> He ran 50- and 100-meter sprints. He did sprints with a parachute on his back, 50 to 60 yards on straightaways, backpedals at 45-degree angles and zigzags.</p> And of course there were basketball drills that former NBA star Gerald Wilkins put Bynum through.</p> "The kid has worked extremely hard, and on his own accord," Zarzana said by phone. "It didn't take anybody to fire this kid up but himself. He realized going into his third year that he's no longer a rookie and he's expected to be a starter now. He came to me and said, 'I want to be the best center in this game. Can you help me?' "</p> Jackson said he would be happy with Bynum's progress when he can average 15 points and 10 rebounds. However, Bynum has impressed his teammates in pickup games at the Lakers' training facility.</p> "He looks real good out here," Luke Walton said by phone. "He looks stronger. He jumps better. He's definitely improved since last year. I'm kind of excited to see if he keeps it up."</div></p> Source: Riverside Press Enterprise</p> Sounds like Bynum made some tremendous strides this summer with 100% focus on getting better. What's most impressive is his willingness to want to do it on his own. Shows he's maturing and has made a commitment to become one of the best centers in the league. These were two barriers I wasn't sure Bynum would get past, but with this interview at least some hope has been restored in Bynum's potential.</p> Lakers fly out to Hawaii on Monday and face the Warriors two weeks from today. I can't wait to see how Bynum looks out there.</p> </span></span></p>
That's a pretty damn impressive turn around from when he first entered the league. Either way, I'm still not sold on him. He can work his ass off all he wants, he still gets lazy and uninterested during the game, until he changes that, I won't even think about being sold on him.</p>
<span class="vitstorybody"><span class="vitstorybody">I'm kind of excited to see if he keeps it up.</span></span></p> <span class="vitstorybody"><span class="vitstorybody">I don't want to pick apart Luke's words too much but it seems like he almost thinks it's too good to be true and wonders how long it will last.</span></span></p>
Man, this is great news. It's amazing what he's done, if it's true. I hope he'll be a beast out there on the court, and earn that starting position.</p>
This is definitely some exciting news. Hopefully this newfound work ethic carries over to the season though. If he can work as hard on the court as he is off the court, he could endup having a very, very good year for the Lakers.</p>
Damn. I'm impressed with the way Bynum's been working. All offseason, we've been hearing about how hard he is working to improve his game. It's great to actually see some numbers to justify the statement. Hopefully Bynum will continue to work out and become a great center for us one day. Like Mamba said, I'm still not exactly sold on him just yet, but it's definetely encouraging news. At least he trains in the offseason and actually wants to improve. Unlike the Kwame Browns or Brian Cooks of the world</p>
It is great news but how is his Hook shot nobody has said if he has improved with his shotting ability.</p>
Wow Bynum has impressed me, he wants to improve and become a monster.But I just really hope that all this improvement could help him become a better player and I hope he continues to do this to become a player but I'm impressed by Bynum his showing that he wants to improve.</p>
Exciting to hear. It still boils down to his mental toughness as well. An 82 game season is a long hard road!</p>
I'm loving this kid's work ethic and it looks like Zarzana has had a huge effect on his game this summer. Shaving two minutes off your mile time and lifting that much weight? He's showing that he wants to start and that he thinks he can be a huge part of this team.</p>
Seems almost too good to be true. And reminds me of Troy Murphy a couple years back. He went into this intense off-season training regimen, bulked up big time and got BEAST! But then the season came, and that's all he had improved on. Still couldn't score. Still didn't D up. But rebounded the heck out of the basketball. Maybe that's all the Lakers need from Bynum, but I'm betting they were expecting more from the guy they hoped would fill Shaq's shoes.</p>
