Kupchak goes to Atlanta to check on Bynum.

huevonkiller · Aug 28, 2008

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Kupchak goes to Atlanta to check on Bynum
Lakers center is working out after knee surgery.
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register

Andrew Bynum is running on the track. He’s hitting the weights. He’s doing basketball drills. More importantly, the young Lakers center shows no signs of any lingering problems from his knee surgery.

Bynum has spent the past month down south, working on his conditioning following surgery in June to repair a partially dislocated left kneecap he suffered Jan. 13. He was cleared to begin drills after a month of rehabilitation, and is expected to be 100 percent for time training camp in October.

“Andrew has dedicated another summer to getting into the best possible shape,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “A month ago he was cleared from the knee surgery he had and at that point he began working on conditioning and getting into shape and I thought he looked like he has made progress.”

Kupchak didn’t rely on second-hand reports. He traveled to Atlanta earlier this week to check on the fourth-year player from New Jersey and said he liked what he saw.

“I could see improvement in his body, his conditioning and mobility,” Kupchak said. “I didn’t see any signs of effects from the surgery.”

Kupchak said he expects Bynum to report to training camp at full strength, considering camp doesn’t start for another month.

“He told me that he is ready to comeback (to L.A.) to start playing full-court drills,” he said. “He sounded eager to play.”

On Bynum’s website, his personal trainer Sean Zarzana wrote that his client has been eager from Day 1 to get back to the court.

According to Zarzana, Bynum, while cradling a basketball, recently told him, “I can’t wait for this season.”

“There is a look in his eyes and a confidence in his workouts that should get all in Lakerland really excited,” Zarzana wrote.

Bynum suffered the knee injury during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies eight months ago when he attempted to grab a rebound and landed awkwardly on Lamar Odom’s left foot. He had been averaging 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds before his injury.

The Lakers had hoped Bynum would return in time for the first round of the NBA playoffs, but eventually announced he needed arthroscopic surgery to smooth over rough spots and fraying on the underside of his kneecap.

Kupchak’s concern regarding Bynum’s health extends further than having him help the Lakers this season. It’s also a financial concern.

The Lakers recently exercised a fourth-year contract option on Bynum, but his agent, David Lee, is seeking a maximum five-year, $80 million extension. Kupchak had said that he wanted to wait and see how well Bynum was well he would rebound from his surgery before offering an extension.
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Source: The Orange County Register

Kobethelegend · Aug 29, 2008

Man I can't wait to get a look at this team next year. Bynum seems like his head is in the right place from everything I've read. I wanna believe he's got that no one can stop me attitude. If he can just pick up where he left of last season, things are gonna be nasty. Anyone know when Kobe is gonna have the surgery on his finger? He needs to take care of that soon. Isn't the recovery time 6-8 weeks? I know he heals faster than most but I want this team to be at 100% when the opening game rolls around.

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