Category: Los Angeles Lakers Blog

The Press Enterprise reports:

Lakers coach Phil Jackson received surprising news Sunday, finding out that star center Andrew Bynum might not be ready to play until December.

Bynum said a week ago he would be back in late November, yet now said the timetable might be pushed into December, the Los Angeles Times’ Mike Bresnahan reported.

“Yeah, it’s a possibility,” Bynum told the Times. “I’ve got a little bit of pain still. It just depends on when I’m cleared.”

Bynum, who had knee surgery in July, said he would see his doctor in three weeks. Jackson seemed surprised at Bynum’s timeline.

“He’s been saying that,” Jackson told the Times. “I don’t know why he’s talking about December. He can get weight-bearing activities started at the end of this month. Can you play in two weeks (after that)? Can you play in three weeks? Four weeks puts you at the end of November. So let’s just let it happen and not talk about what the timing is.”

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Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports:

Andrew Bynum said Saturday he does not expect to make his season debut until late November.

“I see it more towards the end of November,” Bynum said of his return.

Bynum had surgery on his right knee on July 28, and the procedure involved his doctor reattaching the damaged cartilage instead of just cutting it off, as is customary in these surgeries. The goal is to give Bynum’s knee more long-term support — perhaps wise considering he is predisposed to knee injuries and has already had so many in his short career — but requires more recovery time.

Bynum said he can’t do any impact activities for four weeks. He said he got an update from his doctor, David Altchek, on Thursday.

Frank O’Neill, Lakers trainer from 1960-1974, died Tuesday at his home in Playa del Rey from congestive heart failure.  He was 81.

O’Neill, who took over training duties when the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, received his training to become an athletic trainer while attending the University of Florida.  He earned his certificate as a physical therapist while in the Navy and worked with the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and the University of Southern California before joining the Lakers.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank O’Neill,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.   “Frank was a highly respected trainer and played an integral part in bringing our first championship to Los Angeles in 1972.  Our condolences and prayers go out to his family.”

Born on May 25, 1929, O’Neill is survived by his four children Frank, Jr., Patricia, Michael and Mark; and six grandchildren.

Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports:

The fiancée of Lakers player Matt Barnes said Thursday he has never physically abused her or her family and that the domestic violence charge against him is false.

Laura M. Wright, a publicist who represents both Barnes and Gloria Govan released to The Sacramento Bee a statement on Govan’s behalf Thursday: “Any accusation of domestic violence are false. My fiancé, Matt Barnes, has never physically abused me or my family.”

Barnes said as much Wednesday night, stating he was the “victim.”

NBA.com reports:

Ron Artest finally won a title in June after 11 regular seasons of trying … and now he’s planning to sell the championship ring as a fundraiser to put more psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists in schools.

“I’m never going to put it on,” he said.

Artest plans to soon announce details of what he hopes will become a worldwide auction, and he takes possession of the jewelry in an Oct. 26 pre-game ceremony before the Lakers open against the Rockets. It’s an incredible gesture. But it’s even more meaningful as a statement.

“You work so hard to get a ring, and now you have a chance to help more people than just yourself, instead of just satisfying yourself,” he said. “What’s better than that? For me, this is very important.”