When I worked in Denver TV our Sports Director said "If you get there for the fourth quarter of a Nuggets, or any other NBA game, you're seeing everything worth watching." I agree.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Bynum's status still uncertain
By CURTIS ZUPKE The Orange County Register
LOS ANGELES — The ongoing saga of Andrew Bynum has turned into the never-ending story.
The projection for the Lakers center to return from a serious knee injury was pushed into the unknown and perhaps stretched credulity Thursday when Bynum was not cleared for full practice or contact drills after an examination by New York specialist Dr. David Altchek. Coach Phil Jackson wouldn't speculate on any timetable for Bynum's return. He acknowledged before Thursday's game that it is bad news, but he said he understands the turn of events. "There's a sense of disappointment," Jackson said. "He's been practicing a little bit. But this is not unexpected. He's had a little bit of swelling around that knee persistent for the last week or so it's probably a good decision to back him off a little bit."
Despite Altchek's statement in a release that "This should not be seen as a setback in any way," it is a significant blow to hope that Bynum would be a factor in at least the early postseason, which starts April 19. Bynum must get cleared medically to practice and demonstrate healthy recoveries in successive days. He would then have the daunting reality of being thrown into the playoffs more than three months after he suffered a bone bruise and briefly dislocated left kneecap. Would the Lakers consider shelving Bynum for good?
"I don't think anybody would even consider that," Jackson said. "If he's able to play, he can contribute." Bynum was not available for comment before the game.
It sounds like remote just turned into extremely remote.
"I doubt there's going to be a comeback this year," the Laker's Andrew Bynum said Friday. "I've got to get my knee straight. At this point, I'd have to train for a good month just to be able to go out there and play." There are no plans for Bynum to begin practicing any time soon. If the Lakers eventually advance to the NBA Finals, the earliest start date will be June 3. Bynum has been out since Jan. 13.
Quote:
Utah is a physical, push-'em-around team that went 1-3 against the Lakers this season. Lakers assistant coach Frank Hamblen, who was in charge of scouting the Jazz this season, said Utah's players were "bangers" and underscored Carlos Boozer's ability to consistently get 20 points and 10 rebounds, not to mention backup forward Paul Millsap's burly presence. "I think they were second in the league as far as getting points in the paint," Hamblen said.
Said Bryant recently: "They're a physical bunch . . . they scratch, they claw. Denver was pretty physical too though, but we're used to playing that type of basketball." The Jazz also has Deron Williams, who is "definitely a top-five point guard, maybe even higher," Hamblen said. "He's their igniter, makes them go," he said. "He's a guy that not only gets the other guys involved, but he can take the ball to the rim and he can knock in threes." The Lakers managed to knock back Utah in an unusual game in March, winning at Salt Lake City, 106-95, despite playing without injured big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Lamar Odom was seemingly everywhere that night -- 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists -- and the Lakers halted the Jazz's franchise record-tying 19 consecutive home victories.
The Lakers, however, were on the other end of a bizarre decision, posting an embarrassing 120-96 loss in November even though the Jazz played without Boozer and starting center Mehmet Okur. Williams had a career-high 35 points in that game, versatile forward Andrei Kirilenko had a triple-double, and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said his team was as "soft as Dairy Queen ice cream." The Lakers, however, fared well in their home games against Utah, collecting a 119-109 victory in November and a 123-109 victory in December.
Utah has one of the top home-court advantages in the NBA, going a league-best 37-4 during the regular season. Jazz fans were already anticipating the matchup against the Lakers, chanting "Beat L.A.!" in the final minutes of Friday's game against Houston. The Jazz has a decent group of reserves, including sharp-shooter Kyle Korver. "They're a deep team," Hamblen said. "They basically have a nine-man rotation that they use. They run their stuff very well, they set a lot of screens. You have to have really good interior defense with active hands because they are such good interior passers."
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
