Pau Gasol participated in a brief scrimmage and Andrew Bynum was told by Coach Phil Jackson he would accompany the team on a two-game trip next week, though he wouldn't necessarily play.
Bynum was doing "really well" in his recovery after working his way through some patellar tendinitis in his injured left knee, Jackson said.
"It's not really connected to his injury per se. It was just the amount of work that he's started to be able to do, which is impressive," Jackson said. "I told him to expect to go on the trip to Sacramento [next Sunday] and Portland [on April 8]. Whether he can play or not, it may not be that time, but he's going to go through the workouts and practices and the pregame and whatever we have."
The Lakers have four regular-season games left after that trip.
Sounds like Pau wont play Sunday and Ariza is still 2 weeks away from running on a tread mill. At least Bynum will be there on the bench
thanks Lakers13... a little glint of light at the end of the tunnel
Anything will help at this point If Gasol aint ready for wednesday, Im officially marking the man as soft. Fish is playing with torn tendons for gods sake, time to man up and play through the pain.
Nice posts... lets hope these guys start playing and contributing quickly.... the Lakers are in a statistical tie with the Suns right now but they have to start winning some games...
It's great to see Bynum workout and move like that. I'm starting to get really excited about his return. Now, we just need Gasol and Ariza back -- HEALTHY!!! And I hope they all get back in time to gel on the basketball court together....I have a feeling that Gasol, Bynum, and Kobe will have a lot of extra practices together before and during the Playoffs.
I just hope we can fininsh in the top four position going into the PO. I really don't like our TEAM play as of late and could it be Phil decision to hold Pau out a little longer then he should. Lakers needs to work on their chemistry before going into the PO.
The funny thing that I find with the lakers situation, is that if Bynum returns and for some reason is able to turn into the Bynum of earlier days this season, he will change the whole dynamic of the team. All he needs to do in my opinion is stabilize himself in being able to take alley oops and finish, and to contest the opponents shots. Those two aspects alone would completely alter what may possibly be the opposite teams game plan.
And with Gasol back, hopefully.. he can be second solid scorer, making the burden less for Bynum.
Looking at the video from Lakers.com it does not seem so far fetched that Bynum may return in a decent state of body, to where he can realisticly contribute to the goal of the lakers.
The funny thing that I find with the lakers situation, is that if Bynum returns and for some reason is able to turn into the Bynum of earlier days this season, he will change the whole dynamic of the team. All he needs to do in my opinion is stabilize himself in being able to take alley oops and finish, and to contest the opponents shots. Those two aspects alone would completely alter what may possibly be the opposite teams game plan.
And with Gasol back, hopefully.. he can be second solid scorer, making the burden less for Bynum.
Looking at the video from Lakers.com it does not seem so far fetched that Bynum may return in a decent state of body, to where he can realisticly contribute to the goal of the lakers.
Its not like we are talking about a 30 year old vet with alot of mileage on him, or even a 25 year old player, the kid is 20! I am sure he will recover fully and just fine. I agree, he doesnt have to be the #2 guy anymore, thats Gasol's role. All Bynum needs to do is fill the paint on defense and block some shots, alter more with his presence and rebound. On offense, grab some rebounds, dunk some lobs and set some picks. If he can block 3-4 shots, grab 10-12 boards and put in 8-10 points a game, I'll be happy.
Anything will help at this point If Gasol aint ready for wednesday, Im officially marking the man as soft. Fish is playing with torn tendons for gods sake, time to man up and play through the pain.
You better not marking Gasol as nothing until you know him better. You can play with pain if you have a finger injured (like kobe), but if you are a 7 footer who moves quickly like Gasol, play with an injured ankle and you will completely broke it, and you will be out for 2 or 3 months. ¿Is that what you want?.
If you have Gasol's (or Bynum) size, your ankle suffer a lot in a game; you can't play with that injured, too risky.
Bynum/Gasol Update
If Gasol aint ready for wednesday, Im officially marking the man as soft. Fish is playing with torn tendons for gods sake, time to man up and play through the pain.
Now, we just need Gasol and Ariza back -- HEALTHY!!! And I hope they all get back in time to gel on the basketball court together....I have a feeling that Gasol, Bynum, and Kobe will have a lot of extra practices together before and during the Playoffs.
