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.
Our offense can win a championship for us, but our defense may get us swept in the first round of the playoffs. I'm playing Andrew's injury cool and have him out for the rest of the seaon. (in my book)
Even if he DOES come back this season, it's WAY too much pressure to be putting on him to turn things around. He may bring a spark to the team. Just like the spark Pao gave us for the first month he arrived. Shoot, the first game against Toronto, when he didn't even play, our team had focus. I predict something similar, but I'm not betting the Farm on going all the way on just emotion alone.
We, as a team, need to shore it up!! And fast!!
dan the man
Posted by: The Head-Mbenga | April 10, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Xodus,
You said it right, Vitti should be ears and eyes of all ailments among players. He is the connection between the Laker organization, the player and the public. He is the general practioner there when assessing the time a player should be in rehab. When putting caveats like "minimum", this is similar to footnotes on insurance policies - an easy way out for the professionals to protect their vested interests. The best way to spell the truth is to say NOTHING, because you are not sure, then people will not expect of anything. This job of John Black as the PR man of the Lakers the man who mold the infomercials to reporters, journalists to present the point of view of the Lakers. Never did we get from them accurate picture, sometimes we have a feeling that THEY LIE for the sake of expediency but we are not sure, it is just a suspicion. In other words, we don't have any faith on Lakers front office since our trusted conduit is gone and that is, the late Chick Hearns. When Chick tells to his audience, he makes doubly sure of what he is saying but to these personnel who have lied before to protect their master, they lost credibility to the fans at large. They are just good for the advertisers and potential customers, they are there for the marketing of the Lakers.
Next time when an injury happens, don't give any kind of prognosis nor diagnosis as to the time when he can play again so the public at large will have no unwarranted suspicion on motives. Leave it to the experts to define the parameters of recovery, a second opinion would suffice but not for the PR Dept. to announce it and correct themselves later, that can be interpreted also as incompetency or saying things for the sake of political expediency.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 10, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I have a boo boo lip!
Posted by: Rose | April 10, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Laker Truth......Great post re the staples 24 post...No offense staples......But he hit it on the head......Pipen defended magic really well........................
Posted by: Thirty2 | April 10, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I absolutely agree with Troy. We still have a pretty good team even without Bynum. Afterall, we got the world's best player and finisher in basketball!!! So instead a guarantee to the championship and a favorite to win it all, we simply have to play like a Cinderella team!! No more pressure on any of the Lakers!!!
I am already getting excited on how MBenga is going to respond tonight!!! And oh, I might even let Mihm join in the fun!!!!
Posted by: Robyn | April 10, 2008 at 06:40 PM
uf... bad news. only hope the best for drew
Posted by: DC | April 10, 2008 at 06:44 PM
No offense, but why would you ever cheer for the Clippers?
Posted by: EastCoastJessie
Jessie - baby - I wouldn't cheer for the Clippers! Some bloggers were talking about cheering for them to have a good game but still lose. I was saying "Hell to the NO" to that!
Is it acceptable to simply not want to see the Clippers totally humilated, which is a distinct possibility?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K.
JonK - YES - it's ok to want the Clippers to go down but not to be totally humiliated. Although total humiliation of them would feel good right now after our bad news today!
Lotecq - regarding trading Gasol - I asked last night if you were high or something to even suggest that! Are you still high??? 'nuff said....
Bad news about our Beast, but I agree with all who want him to be 100% - whether that's in the playoffs or next season. Can't afford to mortgage the future prospects of the Lakers flying waaayyyy more banners at Staples, than to get 1 now & be done. 'nuff said...
Less than an hour to GAME TIME BABY!
Pig/Toad - did you guys get the BBQ sauce ready & the barbie fired up?? Is there a canopener?? A can of whoop@$$ is getting opened up on Brand and the Clip Ship - I can FEEL it - I can SMELL it - can you????
SMELLS GOOD.......LOL!
GO LAKERS!!! (and a little shout out to the Clippers for JonK but we still want them to lose)
The BEAN for FINALS MVP because NOTHING LESS WILL DO - or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 10, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Would you guys just lay off the training staff? This is the most cautious training staff in the NBA and our players and their health and their careers benefit from that.
How can we possibly ever complain about that? That is incredibly selfish. Come off it. Championships are coming, but they are not more important than anyone's general health or their career longevity.
Please remember these are humans we are talking about here. I applaud their efforts, having been injured on several occassions.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | April 10, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Please guys - remember this:
Wound the troll
Starve the troll
BBQ the troll
OK??!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 10, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Fearless posted "these are humans we are talking about here"...
I am SOOOO glad we got the Cylon confusion straightened out. Thanks FWJ - I was really worried about that...
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 10, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Why oh Why oh Why??? Why couldn't Lamar have injured Luke instead of Bynum???
I"M ONLY KIDDING!!!! CAN"T YOU TAKE A JOKE??? I WANT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HEALTHY!!! even if it means they injure our team in the process, . . . really.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 10, 2008 at 07:12 PM
PHIL JACKSON HAS TO GO
Posted by: pfunk36 | April 10, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Now, don't say that, this is the greatest coach ever as long as he has the best player in the world and another one of the top five players in the world on his team.
Hasn't anybody noticed the great strategic breakthroughs since Pau Gasol joined the team? The minute he showed up, Jackson started coaching better. And the way he gets his team playing to a high standard every night, even against the likes of Memphis, Charlotte and Portland is inspiring.
Now he's starting with the defensive fundamentals four games before the Playoffs. Now THAT'S coaching.
Just hope the Clippers don't come out in a zone defense. How does an NBA team attack that? Don't ask Phil.
Posted by: Jman449 | April 10, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Yes I agree. Even his defensive coach whom I like, Jim Cleamons talks about sharing the ball on offense instead of talking defense.
Time to return to showtime Lakers with Byron Scott head coach and M. Cooper as defensive coach.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 10, 2008 at 07:12 PM
We shouldn't be relying so much on Bynum. If the Lakers play competent team defense, Pau can do everything Bynum could do offensively, only better.
Ariza was supposedly a defensive stopper, but was really just a guy who hustled more on defense than other Lakers. I wouldn't put him even close in the same class as, say, a Bowen, or Bell, or Battier. It's no real loss to have him out either.
We are being delusional thinking that Bynum/Ariza will lead us to the promise land. I've said time and time again, the Lakers' year will be next year, when the Lakers have an entire year (barring injury again) of integrating a Bynum, Gasol, and Odum front line.
Bynum is out for year. Get over it. Lets have some fun cheering our team through the first round. If it's the Suns, then most likely we'll lose in 6 games.
No one should be getting false hopes about a championship run.
Posted by: troy | April 10, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Troy,
I agree with most of your post which is very good. However, I don't think anyone is saying that Andrew/Trevor will lead us to the promised land, more that they're two very important pieces to get there. Also, I see nothing fun about cheering for a team that as you said is going to lose to the Suns in 6 if we play the Suns. That has to be one of the wierdest statements that I have ever read on this blog, especially from a die hard Laker fan.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 10, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Ladies Man,
I like those tall, well-endowed, slightly oiled women you've got singing backing vocals on your song! They sound great!!!
The ladies man sure knows how to pick 'em!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 10, 2008 at 07:14 PM
PhxShotLakers,
"you have to settle for the "pussycats"
Our pussycats can be vicious, they can hurt your geriatric players. The name Phoenix supposed to be a fabled bird that rise from its ashes coupled with the name Suns that provide light to Solar System. Unfortunately in the history of the NBA, the Suns always sets in the West come playoff time.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 10, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Would you guys just lay off the training staff? This is the most cautious training staff in the NBA and our players and their health and their careers benefit from that.
How can we possibly ever complain about that? That is incredibly selfish. Come off it. Championships are coming, but they are not more important than anyone's general health or their career longevity.
Please remember these are humans we are talking about here. I applaud their efforts, having been injured on several occassions.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | April 10, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Fearless,
Thanks for the slap on the head, I needed that to shake me out of my depressed state. Go Lakers!!! We ride deep!!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 10, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Rick,
“I awakened to the reality that other teams are peaking while the Lakers seem to be struggling.”
Hmmm. Now you’ve got me worried. JK. lol. We do need to step in up, however, and the cure is in the way in Andrew Bynum. If you waffle, my prescription is to sit down and watch The Making of a Beast. Trust me, it will make all of your worries disappear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efsJwJxYEk
The thing about watching a condensed version of the emergence of Andrew Bynum is you get an immediate appreciation for the long-term health of the franchise. Watching Drew soar above the rim and competition, you clearly realize that, regardless of what happens in tonight’s game or this season’s playoffs, the Lakers are truly blessed for the future with the best player in basketball, the next great Lakers and soon-to-be the best center, a pair of superb all-star caliber forwards, a championship-proven point guard, and a terrific and very deep bench. Tonight’s match is just one game of many as we establish a dynasty.
So relax, whatever happens, we are the winners. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. And scream your freaking lungs out. The Lakers are back!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 10, 2008 at 07:26 PM
any online link for the game,? please!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks
Posted by: favoured | April 10, 2008 at 07:41 PM
We held the Spurs to 79 points. When the last time you held anyone to 79 points?
It about defense. And Phil never talked about defense in practice. He only cares about the triangle.
You have no answer for us 3-1 in the season means nothing. I was only there for one game. And I hadn't played in over a month. Now, I'm motivated and what are you guys going to do!
You talked all that trash about me. And once again, I'm going to get the last laugh at you! You never won a ring since I left and you never going to win one until I retired.
Don't worry, #34 will shine in staples one day. And when i get my 5 ring this year, I'll let you look and foam at the mouth over it because that's just what a leader can do for you team. Win rings!
It's about defense. Bynum or no Bynum, our defense is much better than your team defense. Let's just see how you play against the Spurs.
Posted by: The Big Cactus | April 10, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Big Prickless Cactus,
You have been responded to there. Clean the SH!t out of your ears and put it in your mouth where it belongs.
3-1 in the season and will go up to 7-1 in playoffs.
Go back under your bridge.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 10, 2008 at 07:43 PM
I think its really MIKE T's fault.... he hasn't laid off his voodoo dolls and still using it against drew bcoz of his man love for kwame
Posted by: look lonely | April 10, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Favoured,
It's on TNT.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 10, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Nemaiai,
It's not weird. You see, I'm a realist. I don't allow my passion for the Lakers to blur my reality of what will probably occur.
As much as it pains me to say it, I can't see the Lakers beating the Suns in a 7 game series. They can beat Houston, Dallas, Denver, and Utah, but not the Suns.
Now don't get me wrong, I hope to goodness they do, but I just don't see it happening.
Shaq is contributing, Nash is as good as ever, the role players have always given the Lakers fits, and Amare is playing like he's crazy.
Again, I hope the Lakers win it all the way, but lets be realistic. With the way they play defense, how for do you really think they'll get?
Posted by: troy | April 10, 2008 at 09:15 PM