Ding on Luke and other notes.

huevonkiller · Mar 31, 2009

1. Andrew Bynum is on track to return before the end of the regular season. While the Lakers have been away on this seven-game trip, Bynum began structured, half-court basketball in a 2-on-2 format, eventually moving up to 3-on-3. The sessions were organized by General Manager Mitch Kupchak and staged with contact kept to a minimum. Bynum isn't far off from full-scale practice and should be able to play in at least a couple of regular-season games to gear up for the postseason, which has been Coach Phil Jackson's hope.
How much would Pau Gasol like to see Bynum back? Gasol is depending on the mental motivation of a championship drawing near to offset how tired he is getting as he soldiers on. Said Gasol: "I hope my mind stays stronger than my body."

2. Luke Walton has begun to grow into a little Bill Walton. In part because Bynum isn't around, Luke Walton has gotten more opportunities in the post lately and has been productive with his back to the basket. He's shooting 15 for 25 from the field (60 percent) the past six games, and the "Bench Mob" would be wise to look for Walton even more to run the triangle from the post for everyone.
Asked back in training camp how much he would use the 6-foot-8 Walton at power forward, Jackson said probably not at all — more likely at guard ahead of power forward based on the composition of the roster. Bynum's injury has changed that, and Walton is diving to the post even when on the floor with Gasol and Josh Powell — and looking natural doing it.

3. Kobe Bryant's sprained right ankle already has healed. He didn't even wrap it with protective tape Monday before a long practice here, saying: "It feels fine now." You can bet Nike will be relieved to hear the news given how Bryant's Zoom Kobe IV sneakers were marketed for uniquely lacking the usual basketball ankle support.
Sasha Vujacic in practice Monday was the latest Laker to try Bryant's lightweight sneakers; Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell and Shannon Brown are satisfied customers. (Derek Fisher tried the shoes and liked them — especially the low cut — but didn't think they were quite right for him; Fisher and Walton need more cushion given past foot injuries. Jordan Farmar, Adam Morrison and Sun Yue have contracts with adidas, which leaves Bynum, Gasol and DJ Mbenga, but big guys prefer high-tops. Bynum said he has never worn a low-top on a basketball court.)

4. Ariza had a foul to give and actually gave it. Unlike in the home loss to Philadelphia when Ariza allowed Andre Iguodala hit the winning shot, Ariza was as fundamentally sound as could be with 5.7 seconds left in the first half Sunday in Atlanta.
Ariza stayed up close to Joe Johnson at the top of the key, and at the first instant Johnson began a move, Ariza jumped on him and gave the extra foul. Left with less time to operate after another inbound play, Johnson missed a fading 15-footer at the halftime buzzer with Ariza contesting the shot well. That's progress, especially after Ariza promised that brain lock would never happen again.

5. Even if they don't rally past Cleveland by regular season's end, the Lakers do figure to hold home-court advantage over Boston or Orlando. At 58-15 with nine games to go, the Lakers need to go 8-1 the rest of the way to validate me as a latter-day Nostradamus in predicting a 66-victory season
In any case, just a reminder: The Lakers are going to wind up better than even owner Jerry Buss expected. He projected "close to 60" victories. Try to enjoy the ride.
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Source: OC Register

Very good to know that about Kobe and Luke.

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Ding on Luke and other notes.

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