Early word: Eight weeks
ESPN.com is reporting that Andrew Bynum won't need surgery, but will miss eight weeks or so with a subluxation of the left kneecap. In layman's terms, that's a dislocated kneecap. (For more about subluxation, consult this link, or visit your local library.) I'm sure more info will filter in, and we'll have our reaction to the news ASAP, but it's fair to say that while the news could have been better... it could have been an awful lot worse, too.
BK
Update (1:27 pm): The Lakers have released their official word on the MRI results. Not much different than what was in the initial report from ESPN, except that they mention that Bynum also suffered a bruise of the left knee, and they added the words "minimum of" in front of "eight weeks" in describing the time frame. The team did cap the very brief report with the chipper news that Bynum is "expected to make a full recovery."
Obviously, he might come back a little earlier, he might come back a little later. But nobody should count on the former. At quick check, though, it does appear that on an eight week timetable, Bynum has enough time to come back and get into a groove before the playoffs. So that's good.
hey, let's get Steven Segal to jedi mind train Kwame! Segal could teach aikido to Kwame and Javaris, teaching them to slow down and remain focused... What's Segal doing these days besides some TNT stints? C'mon! Steven Segal, Laker Assistant Coach??? would that be one of the great story lines of the year for the NBA or what? Can you imagine? They would have to close all Laker practices to the media and public due to the black helicopters that would be hovering over the gym.
Posted by: TaosHum | January 14, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Damm...
What's up with the injury bug the last few years. No wonder the team refused to get excited about their record....this feels like last year all over again. We are better than last year of course but this puts such a damper on the excitement and momentum we've had. You have to wonder how this effects Bynum confidence when he gets back on the floor.
Posted by: Brian Swaner | January 14, 2008 at 02:13 PM
fooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hes ruined my fantasy team and the lakers hopes of being a top 4 seed.
Posted by: greek dude | January 14, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Laker fans: DO NOT RUSH BYNUM BACK.
Heck, if Bynum doesnt return until the postseason or NEXT SEASON that is fine.
I saw Mike NOlan virtually kill Alex Smith's career with injury nonsense.
This is a serious injury and does not need to be rushed. We dont want Bynum becoming Jermaine O'neall or Kwame Brown or Lamar Odom.
Give him all the time he needs and when he comes back limit his minutes.
Hopefully, Kobe wont want to leave us this year but the only thing we can hope for is Odom acting like a MAN and coming up big (probably wont happen).
Posted by: Korey | January 14, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Same injury here Lake Show (playing football though). Pretty accurate explanations, but I'll re-emphasize the importance of rehab. Stabilizing the joint by building muscles is extremely important. The first time I injured it (at 14, ironically) I knew nothing about proper rehab and suffered numerous re-occurences of the injury. After an orthopedic surgeon said "no surgery, but ride a bike to stabilize the joint", not only did the reoccurences drop to almost nil, the aching and pain went away also (improved circulation despite scar tissue). Best part for him is that he didn't suffer cartilage damage along with what seemed a minor dislocation. (Shaun Livingston had a serious one)
Unlike either of us, Bynum will have the best medical staff assembled to help him rehab. I'm certain he will return fine, and he's young enough to see the injury as a nuisance versus someting to fear.
Posted by: bryan | January 14, 2008 at 02:21 PM
This is extremely unfortunate. Yes, it could have been worse, so from that regard the news isn't terrible. But the Lakers were on the verge of really becoming a contender. This team, largely riding the play of Bynum, was really gelling.
Now we have to watch the Kwame Brown train wreck for 2 months and that is a disaster waiting to happen. Let's not forget how injury prone Twinkletoes is. If Kwame goes down we are in real trouble.
Sure we can get Bynum back in time to make a playoff run, but this is going to make dreams of the finals much more difficult to achieve.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP BYNUM. WORK HARD, STAY FOCUSED, AND SUPPORT YOUR TEAMMATES. YOU WILL OVERCOME THIS AND SOON YOU WILL OWN THIS LEAGUE.
Posted by: BYNUM FAN | January 14, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Very helpful, Lake Show. It helps to know that Drew will be rehabbed by the best in the business. I seem to remember Shaq having a similar knee injury his first year with us. He came back with about 2 weeks left in the season and picked up right where he left off. Drew will be fine.
Posted by: Laker Kev | January 14, 2008 at 02:23 PM
i think im gonna throw up.
Posted by: sixonezero | January 14, 2008 at 02:25 PM
God, I hope Michael Teniente is right about Kwame being a force of nature.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 14, 2008 at 02:26 PM
We neeeeeeeed to pick up Rod Benson from the D-League! he's the d-league counterpart of Bynum haha! come on lakers.
Posted by: darren | January 14, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Yeah, what is about Lamar's feet and other players injuries?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 14, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I'd say it's time for Kobe Bryant to earn that first MVP. If he and the Lakers can weather this next 8 weeks and still get 50 wins, I don't think his greatness can be denied.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | January 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
AK/BK or anyone else:
Do you know of any other NBA players who have had similar injuries and what their recovery times were. Obviously everyone heals differently but it'd be nice to have a reference.
Posted by: Xodus | January 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
This feels like breaking up with a new girlfriend. She hasn't been around long, but man was she hot. Smart, funny, good lookin', good in the sack, and then BOOM! she gets hit by a car. She wasn't around long enough to be married to, just long enough to fall in love with. And now all you can do is sit around trying to be glad for the good times you've had.
I'll still watch, but it won't be easy to do.
Posted by: dustin b | January 14, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Mel
Story goes that Cap. offered assistance to Kwame from the start of his assignment w/ Bynum. Kwame turned it down stating that he's not a back to the basket player and therefore Cap would be of no major assistance to his (Kwame's) game.... Go figure?? #1 pick over all , hummm?
Posted by: lakerfaze | January 14, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Defense is our key...it's gotta be our mantra.
If we play up to our capabilities, we'll be all right.
Go Lakers! Sober Ole!
Posted by: Faith | January 14, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I'm really depressed...I love this team and will continue to be a big fan, but I really enjoyed them this year mostly because of what Bynum gave us....Kwame needs glue for his hands...can't handle most balls, and we give up SOOO much without Andrew...It was so much fun to watch them..I kept saying to myself, the only ones we really can't afford to lose are Kobe and Andrew....well....let's see if Lamar can pick up his game like he never has since being a Laker...Everyone has to step up, but I'm not sure some of the lesser ones can...I hope so...but now we have to go on that tortuous road trip without Andrew...and after tonight, play 4 very good teams without him....
so sad for a team on the rise....
Posted by: kate | January 14, 2008 at 02:37 PM
We be alright till the big fella returns. Time for Kwame to shine on the defensive side. Time to get C-webb in a Laker uniform.
Posted by: xtro | January 14, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Lakerfaze,
Really? Damn, Kwame's dumber than I thought. This might not be an easy task.
Posted by: mel | January 14, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Aight, 8 weeks is a long time, and we all know that LO is gonna have to step his game up, but my question to all of you is, between Luke, and Ariza which one of them is gonna give us the best chance to win? Personally I think Ariza is the answer. With Bynum hurt our offense is gonna suffer, but if we can keep up, or step up our defensive intensity I think we can counter that. When it comes down to it our best defensive starting lineup is:
Fisher
Kobe
Ariza
LO
Kwame
Defense wins games folks, and nows the time to get low, smack the floor, and let the rest of the league know that we're ready to KILL them defensively EVERY NIGHT!!!!!!
Posted by: Weave-Man | January 14, 2008 at 02:44 PM
This is terrible. Bad day in Lakerland. I'm glad he didn't need surgery. But at least 8wks is a long time. I hope Kwame has gotten better at rotations and being big inside turning away easy buckets. Thats what the Lakers really need from him. GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: drefdeezy | January 14, 2008 at 02:46 PM
jon k
remember that kobe never really rested his groin strain and the only way to fully recover from that is complete rest so [ i hate to say this] but look for that injury to pop up at any givin moment
go lakers
Posted by: fonzuhrelii | January 14, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Right now I wish the theory of supernatural powers were actually real...I would hope the have the power to punch Mike T in the f**king face, possibly choke off the oxygen supply to his bone head...Time to see Kwame miss dunks and layups...piece of sh*t.
Posted by: Rhon Salmon | January 14, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Can we get Kwame to work with Kareem?
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | January 14, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Can somebody tell me why we still have Chris Mihm on our roster??????
Seriously we need to acquire big man, what if kwame does go down?
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | January 14, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Amazing_Happens,
I agree with you 100% Kobe is gonna have to step his game up, but I don't think he's gonna have to do it offensively. If Kobe can continue to trust our guys, and lead by example on the defensive end Kobe will get his MVP, and maybe the defensive player of the year too. Does anyone know if that has ever happened?
Posted by: Weave-Man | January 14, 2008 at 02:51 PM
D-League is pretty slim on possiblities. The defenders have Jelani McCoy (enough said) and Watkins (playing behind McCoy - not a good sign).
The top rebounder in the D-League is Rod Benson, don't know who owns his rights, but he's pretty skinny (6-10, 225) and probably wouldn't help. Maybe its time to fly in Marc Gasol (just kidding).
With Mihm out (and even if available - clearly not even the same as before - which isn't saying much), looks likes its up to Brown and Turiaf to get the Lakers through. Wouldn't it have been sweet if Sean Williams
had dropped two more spots?
I say Lakers tread water and end up in the 6 spot.
Posted by: jtrincad | January 14, 2008 at 02:53 PM
>>>We neeeeeeeed to pick up Rod Benson from the D-League! he's the
>>>d-league counterpart of Bynum haha! come on lakers.
I'd go with that. Either Benson (13.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg) or Elton Brown (20.6 ppg,
10.3 rpg), or Lance Allred (18.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg). Those are the best 3 big men
in the NBDL that aren't under contract to any NBA club.
Another possibility is Jelani McCoy. He has a few years of NBA experience,
most recently with the Nuggets. He won a ring with the Lakers in 2003, his
rookie season, so he's at least somewhat familiar with the triangle. He's not
as strong or quick as Kwame, but a better rebounder, shot blocker, and
offensive player.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 14, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Xodus,
Honestly, I don't have any comparisons. The only guy I can think of who dislocated a knee cap is Shaun Livingston, but his injury was considerably worse and more severe than Bynum's. They're not even in the same ball park. Livingston's was career threatening. Drew is expected to be fine.
Sorry I don't have anything more concrete. I actually don't think it's an extremely common injury.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | January 14, 2008 at 02:56 PM
lakerfaze,
"Story goes that Cap. offered assistance to Kwame from the start of his assignment w/ Bynum. Kwame turned it down stating that he's not a back to the basket player and therefore Cap would be of no major assistance to his (Kwame's) game"
Is this TRUE??????
There's no way this is true. Not even Kwame would be that stupid.
Someone please confirm that this story is utterly false. There's no way our management staff would keep a guy around who actually refused free tutoring by one of the greatest ever....
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 14, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Ariza should start. Ariza and Roni need to be on the floor at separate times. There shouldn't be a minute when they're both on the bench. Both are athletic, defensive monsters.
Posted by: mel | January 14, 2008 at 02:59 PM
8 weeks = approx 30 games
If the Lakers can play .500 ball until then, that would put them at 40-26 with 16 games left.
This still puts them in striking distance of 50 wins.
Posted by: Voice of Reason | January 14, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Im really concerned about all of this talk that Kobe has to pick up his game. I REALLY hope people just mean he has to shoot a good percentage, not jack up more shots. His percentage is one of the lowest hes had in the past few years, and more shots from him at this rate would simply hurt the team much more than help.
The KEY to the Lakers success this year is the distribution of points, the sharing of the ball, and the sensation the team feels in the locker room after everyone got involved and had a good night. Bynum was the centerpoint of that by creating a presence in the middle which defenses couldn't ignore. Distribution of the ball became easier, and I honestly believe the Lakers would have been better off losing Kobe for eight weeks rather than Bynum.
If Kobe wants these Lakers to continue to win like they have been, he needs to be sure to continue to get everyone involved and start shooting a decent percentage from the field. Everyones needs to get another 1-2 shots a game to pick up the slack as opposed to Kobe shooting another 10-15 shots on his own.
Posted by: Adir | January 14, 2008 at 03:00 PM
AK/BK
can you tell us your reaction to this latest news. Like how do you think the team will fare without bynum, should they pick up another big man? trade? do you think ronny and kwame will pull us through? I would like to know how you guys see this in the wider scope of things and how it will affect the lakers this season.
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | January 14, 2008 at 03:08 PM
enough with the tears already .... we've got kobe ... he'll do what he does, he'll hold down the forte
Hopefully the rest of the team doesn't use this as an excuse to stop their great play so far into the season
San antonio is able to be successful without Duncan, we should be able to absorb a temporary loss of this magnitute as well
we get da big fella back in 2 months ... hopefully he focusses on his rehab and gets back in time to get into game shape for the playoffs ... i.e. don't let that newly found great work ethic slip to the wayside Bynum
Lastly ... mamba24 ... put my name in bold on the 55 wind bandwaggon ... now ain't the time to jump off ... there are worse things than having a former #1 pick to take Bynums place ...
Posted by: Taliq | January 14, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Mike T's been awwwwwwwwwfully quiet. I think he knows if he shows up the full wrath of our blog will descend upon him for jinxing bynum.
Posted by: Jeff | January 14, 2008 at 03:12 PM
i had a kneecap dislocation.
he'll be allright.
it's a real bummer how long Drew will be out. Kwame better stop fooling around. we need the good Kwame now.
Posted by: man | January 14, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Weave-Man - Michael Jordan won both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 1987-88
I don't think it's unreasonable to think that this team should be able to play .500 ball or above until Andrew Bynum returns.
Posted by: Amazing_happens | January 14, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Let's not forget that we were able to get out to a nice start last year with Kwame and Smush Parker as starters before injuries to Kwame, LO and Luke derailed us. Here we are in basically the same position as last year but now we have Fisher and an almost completely healthy Kwame. There's no reason why we can't continue winning and playing good basketball until we get Andrew back. This is why it's nice to have the depth that we have and that players have been in the system for a couple of years.
Greg Anthony on ESPN just said that the loss of Andrew was monumental for the Lakers. He said that the Lakers could've won the Pacific and possibly the WC before the injury to Andrew. Anthony closed the segment by saying it's possible for the Lakers to contend when Andrew returns in time for the playoffs. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 14, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Mike T did not stick his foot under Bynums ... last thing y'all need to do is fuel his g*d complex
Y'all need to stop claiming Kwame will drop passes and rather hope that he'll finaly find his way ...
Posted by: Taliq | January 14, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Now we can see if Kobe really deserves the MVP or not.Remember Amare went down Nash still won 50 games without him and made the conference finals.Even without Bynum this team is better than the last couple years because Fisher is playing pg not Smush.I would say winning 60% the games he is out would be a success and anything under 50% would show Bynum is MVP of the team and not Kobe.
Posted by: jf | January 14, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This isn't just about Kwame, this is about the PF/C roster of which the Lakers have 3 available bodies - Kwame, LO and Ronny. The wear and tear on them is going to be magnified unless the Lakers can pick up another big body, if only to take on some of those minutes and hopefully not hurt the team.
Just like Fish and Farmar have provided stability at PG, Drew provided stability at C and Kobe at SG. With that stability gone, everyone has to compensate, and the danger is they can start to play outside of their roles. It's a completely different rhythm. Like I said earlier, they're going to have to figure out a new way to play which will probably be more reminiscent of last season.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 14, 2008 at 03:17 PM
i feel that our points allowed in the paint are probably going to go up now since we dont have that huge 7'8'' wingspan man in there to deter some of the shots. Turiaf should get to play more lamar wil pick it up, and now that we have fish and farm playing effectiely we will be alright.
we'll beat phoenix and denver and probably the cavs too. Dallas will be interesting. Depending how parker and duncan play we still have a chanc to beat them too, but that is really going to be hard. Denver will be a test now that bynum isnt there to gobble up the boards. kwameis going to have to focus on boxing out. last night i noticed him get lazyand instead of body up the guy tree feet behind him he just trned around a sometimes gave up the board.
i think this season i a great building season. i hope we can attract marc gasol enough and buy out his contract in europe and have him come over here to help in the middle, by the end of this year, r for the next year. he is the MVP of his league right now, i dont see why we cant use somebody with that type of recognition, even if it is euro -ball (thats not a knock at euro-ball either)
those are mythoughts.
1. kwame focuses on grabbing boards.
2. lamar focuses on boards and tries to post up near the pinch post more or the baseline
3. more trevor
4. Fish
5. acquire a big for a while. Marc Gasol or a few 10 ten guys.
andand
Posted by: andand | January 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Someone please light a fire under Kwame's behind!
Posted by: manu | January 14, 2008 at 03:21 PM
It is Kobe time. We are at a time were we will see if Kobe can really be an MVP.
Posted by: manu | January 14, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Good to hear that the rehab for this type of injury includes cardio-type exercises because 8+ weeks is a long time to get out of shape.
Also, it's no secret that we got bit by the injury bug at this time last year. LO going down meant others had to try and replace his production, which led to more injuries. Each L threatens to take the demeanor of the team closer to that tipping point where morale will be so bad, it won't matter when Drew comes back because the season will be lost. Then, another off-season of turmoil. Then, even if the team performs well at the beginning of next season, the attitude will be, let's see if they can stay healthy.
There has to be a way to avoid the slippery slope of having the same season as last year.
Amare has to be licking his chops for Thursday's game.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 14, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Adir,
"continue to get everyone involved "
There's a flaw with this.... in the triangle, the object is to get the ball into the middle post and work from there. Without Andrew, it means we have Kwame in this position, which is a HORRIBLE place to put him.
Thus, the Lakers will be forced to go back to how they ran the triangle in years past... with Kobe playing this position.
I suggest having Kobe & Lamar both play this mid post. Lamar on the weak side when Kobe posts up, and when Lamar posts up, put Kobe on the strong side with Fish on the weak side, in the corner ready to spot up... if Kwame's man doubles Lamar, Kwame would be open, if Fish's man doubles, he'd be open for a corner j.
Kobe in this pivot spot would also mean he's taking on more of a scorer's mentality. If Lamar is on the weak side when Kobe posts up, that means Kwame is in the way, so my idea of having Lamar on the weakside wouldn't work I guess. I wish Lamar had an outside game.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 14, 2008 at 03:30 PM
TrueLakerFan-
AK is working on a longer post as we speak, but here are a few quick thoughts from me:
-The reason the Lakers had reached the sort of heights they had found this season was due to the improvement of Bynum, if you had to pick one thing. Fish and Farmar have helped, as has the addition of Ariza, but if you can only take one, it's how Drew changes the game and the way opponents have to play the Lakers. The true inside-out thing has been incredible, and defensively he's become more and more of a presence.
-I was sitting next to Heisler last night at the game, and we both commented at the same time in the first half, when Drew hit that little drop step hook with the left hand that a) his footwork is great and b) it was starting to become very clear that his confidence in his ability to create his own shot, recognize how he was being defended and counter, etc. was all starting to grow in a big, bad way. In short, Drew was becoming aware of how good he is.
-Kwame is Kwame. People can't and shouldn't expect him to produce on the offensive end like Drew, nor should they expect the sort of rebounding he provides. If 54 tries to be what he isn't, he'll struggle more than he might otherwise. Kwame is a good post defender, and can muscle people around and run the floor a little. But don't expect him to suddenly become a 15/10 guy. That's not who he is.
-Just as the Lakers had a problem when Kwame was out and Bynum was starting without a lot of help behind him, the Lakers have a serious problem with Kwame starting and not a lot of help behind him. It's not simply the difference between Kwame and Bynum, but also the gap between that pair and the backups who now get more time. And the Lakers are incredibly thin right now in the front court. Mihm is out for a couple weeks (at least, I think), Vlad isn't healthy. Ronny is undersized at the five. While this year's backcourt is better than last year's, the frontcourt will be worse off for the next eight weeks than they were last season. No depth.
-They have to sign a player, maybe even two depending on Mihm's health, to shore up the front line. That might be bad news for Coby Karl down the road.
-They're not a terrible team now, and should still make the playoffs (though given how much more top heavy the WC is this year, a swoon like they had in '06-'07 will hurt them a lot more this season than last), but any chance of being a top 4 seed seems totally gone. If Drew can come back and play at a high level by playoff time, they could be okay in the postseason, but dreams of a high seed are likely burst. I just can't see how it'll happen. They're much more like last year's squad, which wasn't elite by any stretch.
Like I said, AK will have his thoughts comign soon in a more formal post, but those are my early impressions. Some of them, at least.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | January 14, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Let's all take a moment and thank Lamar Odom for injuring not one, but two of our centers.
First he pushes Kwame into Ben Wallace, now his rebound-thieving ways have taken down Bynum.
Apparently Lamar really wants to play center, I can't think of any other reason he keeps trying to take out the ones on his own team.
Posted by: J. Walter Weatherman | January 14, 2008 at 03:30 PM
I hate seeing Kwame, LO, and Walton in at the same time. Now I gotta see them start the game. I wish Phil would instead start Ariza or Turiaf. I wouldn't mind seeing a starting lineup of
Kwame
Odom
Ariza
Bryant
Fish
or
Kwame
Turiaf
Odom
Bryant
FIsh
I think any of these two line ups would give us at the least 500 ball. I trust Phil in whatever he does. But, thats what I'd like to see, GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: drefdeezy | January 14, 2008 at 03:33 PM