<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bynum runs on treadmill for first time since being injured By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer 2 hours, 53 minutes ago LOS ANGELES (AP)—Lakers center Andrew Bynum ran on a treadmill Tuesday for the first time since injuring his left knee two months ago. Bynum temporarily dislocated his kneecap and sustained a bone bruise early in the third quarter of a 100-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 13 when he landed on teammate Lamar Odom’s left foot while going for a rebound. “He’s coming along well. He’s progressing,” coach Phil Jackson said before Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors. “It’s not as fast as he’d like to, but we’re looking at the big picture here. “We know that he makes a big difference in our team, but ultimately the organization feels we don’t have to rush him into anything and jeopardize the situation.” Lakers spokesman John Black said no timetable has been set for Bynum’s return, adding: “We set a minimum of eight weeks. We didn’t set a maximum.” The Lakers hope the 20-year-old center will return before the playoffs begin the weekend of April 18-19. He has been rehabilitating by running in a swimming pool. Bynum ran for 20 minutes on a new $75,000 treadmill that simulates low gravity situations. A player can run without the pounding he would normally experience on a regular treadmill or on the court, which gives his legs a break. Black said Bynum ran at 60-65 percent of his body weight. “The thing with Andrew is how the knee responds when he works out,” Jackson said. “You can see the strength coming. He still gets fatigued and it’s all about that muscle firing and the protection and all that stuff that’s going on. “It’s just part of recovery from an injury and the body protecting itself. But the swelling that happens around that injury is what we’re going to have to watch and eliminate as we go down the stretch toward the end of the season.” A third-year pro taken by the Lakers with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, Bynum is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.06 blocked shots. He was the NBA leader in field-goal percentage (63.6 percent) and ranked 11th in rebounding and ninth in blocked shots when he was injured.</div> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkJn...p&type=lgns
Good read. Personally, I believe the Lakers are just taking their time with him. Had we not traded for Pau Gasol, Bynum's return would have been much sooner. Hopefully with all this extra time, he'll return to the court no less than 100%
He's still weeks away. I agree with Brian, I feel the same. I think the Lakers really slowed down his process when we acquire Gasol. I think we do need Bynum back soon though, as I think Gasol is burning out at C.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Mar 12 2008, 12:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's still weeks away. I agree with Brian, I feel the same. I think the Lakers really slowed down his process when we acquire Gasol. I think we do need Bynum back soon though, as I think Gasol is burning out at C.</div> Have you read any other news on Bynum? I guess he's still coming back in early April.
The direct quote from the broadcast today was he's still weeks away. I figure they mean 2-3 weeks, which would put him right on early April target date.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Mar 12 2008, 12:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's still weeks away. I agree with Brian, I feel the same. I think the Lakers really slowed down his process when we acquire Gasol. I think we do need Bynum back soon though, as I think Gasol is burning out at C.</div> I can't wait to see Gasol and PF with Bynum and Odom. I agree about the Burnout. You can see it. We need him fresh!!! This road trip is going to be tough!!!
I would be shocked--shocked!--if Bynum returned before the playoffs. He's past 8 weeks, the swelling hasn't decreased, and he's just NOW starting to run on a treadmill, and that too at 65% of his body weight?!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yodawgsup @ Mar 12 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would be shocked--shocked!--if Bynum returned before the playoffs. He's past 8 weeks, the swelling hasn't decreased, and he's just NOW starting to run on a treadmill, and that too at 65% of his body weight?!</div> Well, I'm more than willing to bet that the Laker slowed down his rehab when they landed Gasol. When that happened, I think they realized that they didn't have to try to rush him back, so now they're taking their time with him. Personall, I'm ok with this, because I want a 100% Andrew Bynum come playoff time, and that's what it appears they're shooting for.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Moo2K4 @ Mar 12 2008, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yodawgsup @ Mar 12 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would be shocked--shocked!--if Bynum returned before the playoffs. He's past 8 weeks, the swelling hasn't decreased, and he's just NOW starting to run on a treadmill, and that too at 65% of his body weight?!</div> Well, I'm more than willing to bet that the Laker slowed down his rehab when they landed Gasol. When that happened, I think they realized that they didn't have to try to rush him back, so now they're taking their time with him. Personall, I'm ok with this, because I want a 100% Andrew Bynum come playoff time, and that's what it appears they're shooting for. </div> Bynum will be a back-up when he comes back, so that gives him some extra time to adjust. 80% of Bynum off the bench is respectable and gives us some depth. It's that glass-footed Ariza I'm worried about. Whatever, screw him.
Phil Jackson said that Bynum was seen dunking and shooting ball in practice. Great news. It was on the Laker's Practice Report on Lakers.com
That's good to hear about Drew, hopefully we can have him back ASAP, even if its only in limited minutes...this road trip is gonna suck without Pau
