News that won't make y'all happy, I presume
But we're nonetheless gonna report it, because that's how we roll around on this blog.
Just got an emailed update from the Lakers PR dept. Apparently, Andrew Bynum hasn't been cleared for contact or practice drills just quite yet, per his examination in the Big Apple. The doc says it's not considered a "setback" in his recovery. We'll try to find out more later at today's game. But at any rate, that's the latest.
The official (and very brief) announcement is below the jump.
UPDATE: More from Eric Pincus at Hoopsworld.com.
AK
EL SEGUNDO-
Lakers center Andrew Bynum was examined yesterday in
New York
by knee specialist Dr. David Altchek and has not been cleared to progress to full practices or contact drills, it was announced today.
“This should not be seen as a setback in any way,” said Altchek. “Andrew will continue with his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers’ training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status.”
There is no target date for Bynum’s return.
that sucks!
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 10, 2008 at 01:23 PM
This just totally sucks man...great way to ruin an afternoon.
Let's start the WE NEED NEW DOCS AND TRAINERS BANDWAGON
Ughhh, I'm just so disappointed.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 10, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Nothing to say................
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | April 10, 2008 at 01:27 PM
*_________________________*
GO GET A CHEERLEADING SKURT
AND SOME POMS POMS
*_________________________*
(01) MAMBA24 - Riding Shotgun
These birthday shout outs are nonsense. How about celebrating my team trip to the NBA Finals. Lakers, we're coming for you! Don't lose to the Spurs!
Posted by: The Big Cactus | April 10, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Booooooooooo!
Posted by: frank1rizzo | April 10, 2008 at 01:29 PM
NOT GOOD... LAKER NATION... NOT GOOD... DAM KNEE... HE BETTER BE READY BY PLAYOFFS THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY....
Posted by: SISCO | April 10, 2008 at 01:29 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hell, so does this mean his earliest return will be in the second round? What a blow to the team. I can't imagine he will be cleared in a few days. Hopefully sooner then later.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 10, 2008 at 01:31 PM
NOT GOOD... LAKER NATION... NOT GOOD... DAM KNEE... HE BETTER BE READY BY PLAYOFFS THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY....
Posted by: SISCO | April 10, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Can someone tell me why the 7-footer with the bum knee has to stuff himself onto an airplane and fly across the country to find this out? Surely the doctor could've come to LA?
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 10, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Not the news we wanted to hear, but we have to remember that Drew is the cornerstone of the franchise for the next dozen years. Better to err on the side of caution than blow that knee out for good. We can'r forget about the fragile nature of bigs with their feet, ankles and knees (see, amongst others, Luke's daddy and Mitch himself, both of whose careers were cut short and minimized by leg issues).
Lakers, take good care of Drew!
Let's win one for Faith tonight with 48 minutes of solid defense, and get a roll going for the playoffs!
Posted by: toad | April 10, 2008 at 01:34 PM
AK,
Is this an April Fool's prank sent 10 days late?
Posted by: Robyn | April 10, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I'm going home and crawling into bed.
Posted by: ShowtimeTake2 | April 10, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Let's fire Dr. David Altcheck, he is a knee specialist for race horse from Nu Yok. Go to UCLA, U C San Diego Medical Center, they handle bionic knees for soldiers what more for Socks!
Is this another PJ misinformation?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 10, 2008 at 01:35 PM
As sad as it is it looks like Andrew is done for the year
Posted by: shneurson | April 10, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Yo that New Yowk Docta wiseguy don't know what he's talkn' 'bout.
He should shut uppa his face!!
Posted by: Lawrence Tanter's understudy | April 10, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Well that's disappointing.
Posted by: Xodus | April 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Jeez
Posted by: Charles | April 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
just heard this on the radio. bleh.
Posted by: eddie brock | April 10, 2008 at 01:39 PM
SKIRT... not SKURT Mamba!!!
But put me on!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 10, 2008 at 01:40 PM
UGH............not good news at all. But I would say the staff probably expected it more than the fans.
And since that would cover tomorrow and Dr. Altchek probably doesn't work weekends - out with Sunday too.
Does he have to keep flying back and forth to NYC before he gets clearance? That's pretty lame if he does because that would mean 1st round playoff appearance = maybe. But they will have 5-6 days rest.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 10, 2008 at 01:41 PM
AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!
It is what it is -- move forward and do what you can in the first round. It is nice that the first round takes approximately 16 weeks though.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 10, 2008 at 01:42 PM
FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN ON APRIL 10TH
Haley Joel Osment - "I see people on this Lakers Blog"
Mandy Moore - pop singer, A Walk To Remember
Ryan Merrimar actor
Lil McClarron, member of Atomic Kitten
Steven Seagal - a look alike of Mamba24
John Madden - Monday Night Football
Omar Shariff - Dr. Zhivago
Max Von Sydow - a resemblance of Jon K. w/ dit dat jow
Chuck Connors - a rifleman like Gunner
Harry Morgan - M A S H
Joseph Pulitzer - the ancestors of AK/BK
Commodore Matthew Perry - 250 years ago we are all small dots including our birthday girl
And last but not the least. (drum please) boom boom boom boom boom.......... our first lady on the blog,
FAITH SINCLAIR
HAPPY NATAL DAY
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 10, 2008 at 01:44 PM
he's not even cleared for contact drills apparently, so I don't think he's going to be playing this year. That being said when the team is fully motivated, the gasol lineup is still one of the best lakers lineups i've seen. lakers need to keep focus, odom needs to remember how crucial his first-step is to the whole team. fisher needs to get some semblance of his stroke back, and vlade just needs to stay off the slopes.
Posted by: eddie brock | April 10, 2008 at 01:45 PM
This is the worst news possible at this time and the Lakers should just shut him down for next year. The "no timetable or target date for Andrew Bynum's return" has become redundant and disappointing to say the least. What I don't understand is why is it so hard to say exactly when he can return or if he should just shut it down until next year. I no longer look forward to him coming back at all this year and just accept that as reality. Time to ride with who we have right now and not waste time with reports that are just discouraging. In regards to Andrew, I don't anticipate him coming back this year. The reports are terrible when it comes to giving specifics on the injury, why it's taking so long and why he hasn't been cleared to practice or play. Also, why did he have to fly all the way to NY to see a knee specialist? Are there none in LA?
Posted by: | April 10, 2008 at 01:45 PM
NOT HAPPY JAN..............................NOT HAPPY
Posted by: Thirty2 | April 10, 2008 at 01:45 PM
AK - go to your room - no Staples for you tonight - you are a wet mop on Faith's bday.
JW, Robyn, Showtime and Edwin - I love the wittiness you bring even though it's not good news.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 10, 2008 at 01:46 PM
This is the worst news possible at this time and the Lakers should just shut him down for next year. The "no timetable or target date for Andrew Bynum's return" has become redundant and disappointing to say the least. What I don't understand is why is it so hard to say exactly when he can return or if he should just shut it down until next year. I no longer look forward to him coming back at all this year and just accept that as reality. Time to ride with who we have right now and not waste time with reports that are just discouraging. In regards to Andrew, I don't anticipate him coming back this year. The reports are terrible when it comes to giving specifics on the injury, why it's taking so long and why he hasn't been cleared to practice or play. Also, why did he have to fly all the way to NY to see a knee specialist? Are there none in LA?
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 10, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Big Wackthis,
I'll take it you never won a spelling bee.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 10, 2008 at 01:48 PM
sigh
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | April 10, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I am going with the misinformation vote. Dr. Buss told Dr. Altchek to put that out to the world. This will allow AB17 to practice with the team, get out of the NOH and SAS games.
Then the enemies will have no game tape, they have no idea how Gasol, KB24 and the rest of the crew will play together and it will be one big surprise....... a nice, sweet tasty AB17 surprise on our way to banner #15.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 10, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Somewhere a child's crying right now...
Posted by: bozz | April 10, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I had a feeling he was never really coming back this year. The team just needs to bench him until next year. The Lakers are now built for the future, if they don't win this year, that's OK.
Posted by: Andy Hedspeth | April 10, 2008 at 01:50 PM
PsychedLakerGirl,
After all these years following this team, I guess we are not shock of any kind of news. If we are playing after next week, that's good news to us. Anything that could happen that will lead us playing all April and May that's gravy and if extended in June that would be a MIRACLE!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 10, 2008 at 01:51 PM
East Coast jessie - would you mind being the chauffeur next time AB17 is in NYC to visit Dr. Altchek? He needs to hear some of your Latina anger. And you should probably administer some of those chinese herbs the boys discuss and bring along LakerMan 420's remedy as well.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 10, 2008 at 01:54 PM
It's just time to move forward without him. After all of what's happening, it's really time for this team to move forward and be able to focus on what's happening with this team. I wish the team would just announce that he won't return, free up a roster spot, and then get 6 more fouls into Drew's spot. Having him back in any sort of capacity now seems pretty moot. If he does return in May, how effective will he be?
The Lakers measure success as a franchise and in winning titles. The Buss' and the rest of the Laker family have been through many experiences like this, and understand the value that Drew brings to the future of the Lakers. We'll get over any losses, and Drew will be a Laker for a long time to come. It's just time for him to hang 'em up this year so we can all move on.
The Shaq curse continues for Laker big men.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 10, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Very disappointing news...
But it is pointless to be angry at trainers and doctors. If the guy's knee is not ready for the rigors of NBA play, then it's not ready.
My only complaint is the statement "this should not be seen as a setback in any way." Of course it's a setback. Perhaps not in the technical sense - i.e. Bynum's knee isn't getting worse, it just isn't getting better as fast as it might have. But from a timetable standpoint, it's been one setback after another.
That's no fun to face, but the spokespeople should at least face the facts.
Posted by: 40-year fan | April 10, 2008 at 01:56 PM
keifo
BEWARE! Befiore you jump on that bandwagon, check the tires carefully! It is a knock-off perpetrated by some troll, not Mamba24 at all! Posted last thread also. Looking for some scraps. Dayum trolls!
Posted by: toad | April 10, 2008 at 01:57 PM
What's even more frustrating is that we'll hear and read in the next few days about how Andrew is progressing and blah, blah, blah. They'll keep on teasing us and torturing us by being so vague about him not returning. They should just come out and say that he's done so the LakerWorld can go back to spinning.
When the Doctor says that this is not a setback, what the hell does he mean by that?!!! Not getting clearance to practice or play isn't viewed as being a setback?!!! How will one day or another week make a difference if his knee isn't ready right now? They should just quit with all the BS and shut him down. Thanks AK/BK for the updates and the great job that you do, but I'm really pissed off at the medical and training staff for not being more specific about what is really going on. A big waste of time.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 10, 2008 at 01:57 PM
anonymous poster:
I believe he went to New York to get a 2nd opinion. Which just goes to show how much the Lakers really do want him back this year.
Posted by: eddie brock | April 10, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Any update on Mihm?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 10, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Meh. We'll just have to manage. Yeah, it's disappointing, but life goes on. We're still pretty damn formidable in our current formation.
Posted by: AimlessDriver | April 10, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Something seriously has to be done about the Lakers training/medical staff. I know Dr. Buss is very loyal to his employees, but this has gone on long enough. This training staff is killing this team. There is no way that every Laker in this decade has been a slow healer. NO WAY. This training staff is a complete joke. This is just awful news, but sadly, it was almost expected. The news that Bynum will miss 6 weeks better be just a rumor, or I'm going to throw a cup of beer on Vitti's head at the game tomorrow.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 10, 2008 at 02:00 PM
AK
This news about Bynum is not nearly as disheartening(? you don't have spell check) as the B. Shaw don't take no mess Thread.
Can anyone imagine what was going through Kobe's head as he sat and listened to B. Shaw go on a tirade about defense.........in the what 78th game of the year..........this is comical.
Kobe Bryant a perennial first team all-defensive player being scolded by someone he has been schooling since he was about 12 or 13 years old.
If Kobe has one defensive flaw it is that he tends to chase the ball and sometimes allows penetration when his gamble fails. This could be solved with one after practice film session.
Coaching defense is not rocket science it is all about desire, emphasis, and athletic ability.
Phil Jackson has "triangle on the brain" he spends way too much time trying to right the triangle when he spends it appears very little if any time on teaching rotations on defense.
If Phil Jackson and the Lakers were serious about defense Ira Newble would have played against Portland the other night.........What happened to Newble.........on a team that needed defense?
Is Phil afraid that an emphasis on defense would surely eliminate the likes of Chris Mihm and Luke Walton from this team.....??
Did anyone see the game last night between the Spurs and Suns? Look at the improved play by the Suns.......ON DEFENSE!!............IN THREE WEEKS!!
The Lakers have had this problem for going on 3 years! And now B. Shaw is the scapegoat for horrendous coaching by Phil Jackson. This is very sad and indicative of Phil's inability to accept responsibility for his coaching weaknesses. In other words an overgrown ego problem.
Right now with Phil Jackson as coach this team is in danger of making an exit in the first round because they can't stop anybody and Phil will not play Newble who played under Pop in San Antonio and understands how to be coached with an emphasis on D
Combine this with the fact that Mitch K said earlier that he is not looking to make any changes in the off-season with this roster and you have trouble brewing with this team.
With skilled finesse players like Bynum, Gasol, and Odom we need some physical defensive minded players to complement them.........Luke Walton nor Chris Mihm fit this description.
We have two potential defensive threes in Ariza and Newble........but will Phil play them? Or will he continue playing Luke Walton.......who gives us nothing.
I can live with Vladdy because his outside shooting can be very useful for spreading the floor........but Luke? WTF
PHIL JACKSON HAS TO GO
Posted by: pfunk36 | April 10, 2008 at 02:00 PM
LAker Naiton
We may just have to face the fact that we will not have either the Beast or TA for the remainder of the year. That being said, we still have enough to do what we need to do as long as every player brings everything they have to each minute they're on the court. Look what we've accomplished so far this year with all the adversity we've faced to date.
And remember most of all what next year's gonna be like with everyone healthy and raring to go from the start! I see a stretch not unlike the Celtics run in the late 50's and 60's where for ten plus years everyone else was playing for second year after year.
Posted by: toad | April 10, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Looking back on the season you could argue that the Lakers would probably finish with the best record in the west if Bynum had not been hurt.
At the same time without Bynum's injury we probably would not have gotten Gasol.
So in the long run the future is quite bright the way things have worked out.
As far as the playoffs, if they shoot the ball resonably well, the Lakers will go as far as their defense takes them.
Posted by: Andy B | April 10, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Every time we lose, or there's bad news, I feel like that first time I played Halo . . .
Standing on the deck of the Truth and Reconciliation, Cortana is telling me that the Covenant has accidentally released the Flood . . . I see them for the first time and they're so ugly and putrid that I almost yak, but then I realize that although they're ugly, they're manic, and running around and attacking without purpose, and they can be beat. I'm smarter than they are so I can beat them. I just have to be agile, and think on my feet.
No more trolls. They're the Flood. Attacking without thinking. Unintelligent, with no rhyme or reason to their actions.
We can beat them . . .
We have to.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 10, 2008 at 02:09 PM
“This should not be seen as a setback in any way,” said Altchek.
Why the hell isn't it then? What are we supposed to believe this is good news?
Urgh. Stupid tricking training staff of the Lakers. {Grumble.}
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 10, 2008 at 02:11 PM
PsychedLakerGirl
I would be glad to. I'll give him something that'll make him leap higher than he's lept before, defend like he's never defended before, and dunk with more power than he ever knew he had. I'll get the kid on the court baby!!! :-)
I'll be waiting for his big a** over here.
Posted by: | April 10, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Toad, my dear you are the voice of reason. I honestly believe that Drew will be back this year and Toad makes a very good point, would you risk the health of the player that will be the foundation of your team for years to come when you can afford to have him rest up and rehab in order to get back to 100%? Would any of you put him the the court and risk serious injury?
Listen guys, right now we are what, the 3rd seed in the West? Sure it would be nice to get to number one, and I'm sure having Drew around would help that cause but I'd rather be number three than risk his health, in my opinion the risk is not worth it.
If this were a situation like last year, where we really had to fight just to get into the playoffs, I think we would have seen Drew retun much sooner, however this year we are in, so lets just take whatever seed we have and work with that without risking hurting Drew, we can afford to have him sit out for a bit, so lets all just chill. I know this wont make anyone feel better but Drews injury brought us Pau ( see,even the worst situation can get better), the sky is not falling and we'll be just fine, I really believe that, have some faith guys!
Posted by: Elle | April 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM
No Andrew, no ring.
This is officially a 4 year injury curse.
How many years does your average curse last?
Posted by: Vman | April 10, 2008 at 02:15 PM