Caught in the Web: Talking about Andrew Bynum's rehabilitation
-- The Times' Broderick Turner explains why Lakers center Andrew Bynum is setting a personal goal for himself to return to the court in three weeks.
-- The Times' Mark Heisler argues that the Miami Heat will overcome its struggles.
-- The Orange County Register's Janis Carr tells what it is about the Indiana Pacers that's caught Phil Jackson's attention.
-- The Orange County Register's Brittany Levine profiles an O.C. Lakers fan from Syria.
-- ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin details Bynum's rehab process.
-- The Indianapolis Star's Jeff Rabjohns looks at why the Pacers aren't impressed with simply keeping it close against Oklahoma City.
-- Lakers.com's Mike Trudell has more on Bynum's condition.
-- Silver Screen and Roll's C.A. Clark says the poor performance from the Lakers' bench against Utah should remind everyone how good they've been otherwise.
-- Silver Screen and Roll's wondahbap features Shannon Brown as the Lakers' player of the week.
Tweet of the Day: "Is it too late for ABC to flex the marquee Christmas game and make it Celtics-Lakers?" -- sportsguy33 (ESPN.com's Bill Simmons).
Reader Comment of the Day: "I don't have a problem with Drew saying that it's cool sometimes to sit back and watch the game. He's right. Sometimes when you're an observer, you can see the nuances and trends in a game that will help you learn how to be more effective when you're back in the thick of things. Don't you think Kobe does the same thing when he's sitting out? (And yes I know he's hardly ever out, but my point remains the same.) I'm happy he's taking the time to learn. And heal." -- justanothermambafan
-- Mark Medina
twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers center Andrew Bynum, driving to the hoop in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 17, 2010, told reporters Saturday that he hoped to return to the court in three weeks. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
I WON??????????
With that? MM come on. There are a lot more Friedman-worthy comments.
But thanks! I'll add this one to my collection.
Hmmmm I'm gonna need a trophy room. My mantle's getting full.
:)
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 28, 2010 at 08:29 AM
RCOTD = JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN = OUT FREAKIN STANDING MA'AM!!!! KUDOS!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | November 28, 2010 at 08:43 AM
justa, baybeeee!!!! Nice Friedman.
Like I said after your RCOTD post, cooler minds prevail and MM is clearly one of those cooler minds. Congrats!!!
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 28, 2010 at 08:47 AM
*_______________________________________________________________________*
ARISE OH MIGHTY LA LAKERS NATION. THE WORLD BELONGS TO US. WE GOT THIS!!!!!
*_______________________________________________________________________*
http://tinyurl.com/2c3uutk - It’s Time For War * http://tinyurl.com/26p8aet Lets’ Get Dirty
*_______________________________________________________________________*
Good Morning Fabulous JustaAnotherMambaFan(Head of Mamba Clan) & the Fabulous Morning
CRUE!!! : DJ LROB, LEWSTRS, NewMexicoLL, Fan Of The Mamba, PsychedLakerGirl, LakerLass
Faith, Wes, Rick Friedman, KB Blitz, Ouchhhhhh, DBDH, Caliphilosopher, LakerMike, HobbitMage
KobeMVP888, 63 Footer, 2Phatt, MagicPhil, JohnnyP, JohnnyV, Noah, Complex_Brotha, Phred,
Jolly Rancher, Nemaia Faletogo, Jamie Sweet, CHICNSTU, Wallace, ZairaAmaterasu(Goddess)
PFUNK36, STAPLES24, LakerFanInCowTown, OCIsMambaCounty, Joe Corrad, TroyB, Troy
Edwin Gueco, LakerTom, GinDC, I hearned that, Wilson24, FRMKT, J24(LadyJem24), Fearless
Art-Fl-Laker-Fan, McLyne, CornerJ, Jefe101, Mud, CyberCosmix, Vman, Seely-Iggy, McLyne,
Tom Daniels, LakerTom, Edwin Gueco, The OutLaw & Baby OutLaw, BronxLakerFan, P ang
RAMNEETKB24, Adrian Palomar, Diandra,
GAME DAY BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
*
http://tinyurl.com/ylp3qqc _ I Love LA http://tinyurl.com/2c9afer - Here comes Lakers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQmnjAHUy9Q&feature=related _ It’s my Life – Kobe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5p2-M4r0GM&feature=related - Black Mamba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytClQrQL214&feature=related - Crank that Kobe
http://tinyurl.com/2dqb7rd - GREAT KOBE ARTICLE – ADAM WORJANOWSKI
*________________________________________________________________________*
Posted by: mamba24 | November 28, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Congrats justa on another Friedman!
Posted by: 63 Footer | November 28, 2010 at 09:00 AM
Geez Justa, if you keep winning Friedmans, they're going to have to rename it the Friedman-Justa or the Justa-Friedman-you two will have to hash that out.
Yeah the Utah loss sucked, but I can only get so worried about a team coming off 2 championships, is 13-3, is missing their starting center, when we are still in November. Though it is true I'm a glass half empty kind of guy.
Posted by: Mark G (Are the Playoffs here yet?) | November 28, 2010 at 09:03 AM
I move that we rename it the justanotherfriedman award. All in favor, say AYE.
Posted by: CornerJ | November 28, 2010 at 09:15 AM
AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | November 28, 2010 at 09:16 AM
I move that we rename it the justanotherfriedman award. All in favor, say AYE.
Posted by: CornerJ | November 28, 2010 at 09:15 AM
OK, that's Funny,
AYE!
Posted by: Mark G (Wake me for the Finals:) | November 28, 2010 at 09:18 AM
AYE!!
Posted by: Magic Phil | November 28, 2010 at 09:31 AM
The Lakers owe the 16th ring to Andrew 'The Bruiser' Bynum. Without Bynum we are as soft as marsh mellows and it is as simple as that. Am I the only one paying attention about Bynum's impact? Didn't The Zen Master said about 2 weeks ago that he wished Gasol would start being physical with his opponents? He also said that Marc Gasol was tougher. These are comments that suggest that Gasol is less tough than Sponge Bob. I love Gasol and what he has brought to the team 3 final appearances and 2 rings but he is no enforcer. Perkins light up like a Xmas tree in game 4 I believe of the Finals I when The Bruiser was unable to come back after halftime. Perkins ran up and down the court shouting he had gasol on lock down. Inferior talents like Noah and Ne Ne are able to outplay gasol because he is charmin tissue. But if Kupcake is stupid enough to trade Bynum and we face Boston in the finals I will not watch because it will be a massacre.
Posted by: island priest | November 28, 2010 at 05:14 AM
======
Island Priest
So you'll be 40 tomorrow! If I forget to remember, Happy pre-Birthday! When I was your age (3/13/96), Kobe Bryant wasn't quite a twinkle in the eyes of Lakers fans, although Jerry West was already salivating over him.
I really enjoy your posts. You bring a wide spectrum of observations and opinions, some of which I agree with and others which I respectfully disagree with. Obviously, the above post is one which I agree with except for your reference to Mitch Kupchak as "Kupcake," unless that was done strictly for humor purposes. Here's a GM who has mastered his craft. No GM is perfect and he will continue to make some minor errors in judgment, but he is my choice for GM of the past four seasons, with the major blemishes on his record being the Walton and Vujacic contracts.
Here's a list of Kupchak's major accomplishments since 2007-08: Signed D-Fish, traded Cook and Evans for Ariza, traded Kwame, Crit and M Gasol for Pau, traded Radmanovic's contract for Morrison's lesser contract and Shannon Brown, signed Artest, signed Barnes and Blake. As you know, all of those were VALUE transactions.
1-2-3 RING! #17 coming up STRONG!!
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 28, 2010 at 09:38 AM
Andrew Bynum is not expendable. He is a vital component of a Championship team, a much needed presence in the paint mostly defensively, but many times offensively.
On the other hand, he is also not irreplaceable. Tonight we're going to watch a center in the opposing team's uniform that could wear the purple and gold and make the team just as effective. Hibbert is an up and coming center with a lot of upside. Just my opinion, but we'll see. Would've loved to see him and Bynum going against each other tonight.
Posted by: Laker J | November 28, 2010 at 09:40 AM
Amendment to my post at 9:38 AM:
Additional Kupchak accomplishments since 2007-08:
Didn't trade Kobe Bryant. Hasn't traded Andrew Bynum. Re-signed Lamar Odom. Signed Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to extensions.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 28, 2010 at 09:52 AM
Mark G. let's put it this way for our lady bloggers it's Justa award and for the savage male, it's Friedman award.
Congratulations Justa, always looking forward for thanksgiving that we have Justa on the blog who is great positive thinker.
Honestly, if I were Drew, the best response to any queries is STFM. Fans are tired of being stirred to all kinds of scenarios where Drew is going and when he's going to come back as if he is the Messiah on Christmas Day. The best advice is JUST DO IT and prove to us what you've got. We are not interested to what prognosticators say nor adhere to cheerleaders. What we want is ACTION and whatever your plans are keep it to yourself.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 28, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Let's make sure I've got this right...
First, he delays offseason knee surgery and goes to the World Cup.
After the surgery, he says he hopes to miss only two or three weeks of the season.
Then he says he hopes to be playing by Thanksgiving, then early December.
Now we're looking at late December?
Better get your mind right, Drew. Management might have unlimited patience but the fans do not. This is an aging roster (your backup center is what, 38?) which cannot continue to play big minutes while you languish....
Better get with the program there, buddy.
Posted by: dave reynolds | November 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM
mamba24,
Don't forget me on the Crew. Just because I am a Free Agent doesn't mean I will leave my beloved Lakers! Just to throw this out, I think Marc Gasol is a Free Agent after this season?
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Oh Dear Justa, will that Easter Bonnet still fit, ha, ha! Congrats!
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 28, 2010 at 10:05 AM
I think Marc Gasol is a Free Agent after this season?
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM
You're right, but he will be a restricted free agent.
Posted by: Laker J | November 28, 2010 at 10:06 AM
mamaba24,
My apology, I didn't see DJ, uh, uh listed first, oops!!
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 28, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Laker J,
Thanks for clearing that up.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | November 28, 2010 at 10:07 AM
It seems like the Lakers and the Celtics Finals again this season. We still have Sasha to trade for a big man(with big body) to go against the Celtics. Until last season the Celtics had Garnett as the tallest guy as 6'10-11. Now they have two more bigs as 7 and 6'11. It would be nice to have another big body to go against those guys. I think getting a big man should be Mitch's priorty until the trade deadline
Posted by: LakerPeace | November 28, 2010 at 10:31 AM
KobeMVP, you are giving credit to the same man who gave Cook, Kwame and Walton contracts. The fact that he traded them for very good players does not make him a genius anymore than it makes him daft.
So lets put things in perspective..
He gave Walton a 6 year contract
He gave Sasha a 3 year contract.
Both of these are at the end of our bench.
Bynum has not been healthy one single season.
Posted by: keen observer | November 28, 2010 at 10:34 AM
KobeMVP, you are giving credit to the same man who gave Cook, Kwame and Walton contracts. The fact that he traded them for very good players does not make him a genius anymore than it makes him daft.
So lets put things in perspective..
He gave Walton a 6 year contract
He gave Sasha a 3 year contract.
Both of these are at the end of our bench.
Bynum has not been healthy one single season.
Posted by: keen observer | November 28, 2010 at 10:34 AM
=====
Apparently you didn't read my post. I did put things in perspective. I said from 2007-08.
Let me add two more omissions. He re-signed Phil Jackson and here's my last small omission: the Lakers have won back-to-back championships and have been to three consecutive NBA Finals.
So let's put things in perspective.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 28, 2010 at 10:41 AM
You have to look at his whole record. You cannot pick and chose.
Posted by: keen observer | November 28, 2010 at 10:48 AM
keen observer - sorry to get in the middle of this, but looking at the whole record is important, but in any profession the "what have you done lately?" is more important. People learn and grow in their careers, and I hire people who are trending upwards first over those who have flat-lined. Most of Mitch's "mistakes" are in the past, and 888 stating from '07/'08 onwards is not "picking and choosing" as much as saying that Mitch's learning curve has shot upwards and in the last three years he might be the best in the league. That's trending upwards in a great way. Now if only Bynum's learning curve is the same....
I kid! I kid on Bynum!
Posted by: 63 Footer | November 28, 2010 at 11:09 AM
People complaining about Mitch or nit piking him are just puzzling...
These same people would find fault in Jery Buss, Magic, Kobe, Kareem and PJ...
Instead of the positive...they will scour the almanac or the box scores to find fault...
It's not good enough, the great results they have accomplished...
This is their mentality...
Fish hit the winning shot...BUT he was 3-10 the whole night...
Kobe quarterbacked the whole 4th quarter for the win...BUT he had 9 turn overs...
Derek Jeter hit the walk off homer...BUT he struck out the 2 previous at bats...
My point: THERE IS NO PLEASING THIS KIND OF FAN...
So you are banging your head on the wall trying to reason with them...
My advice: Scroll on, scroll on...don't fall for the bait....
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 28, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Mark G. let's put it this way for our lady bloggers it's Justa award and for the savage male, it's Friedman award.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 28, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Yes, yes, YES! I like that. Ladies get the Justa award since she's our High Priestess, our Chief Amazon.... hey ladies like the savage warriors fantasy too, you know. Just ask the legions of Xena fans (or maybe it's just the skin-tight leather we like).
Although JustanotherFriedman award is too funny, CornerJ.
Posted by: Seely_Iggy | November 28, 2010 at 11:14 AM
@JAMF - Come on. Don't sell yourself short
Posted by: Mark Medina | November 28, 2010 at 11:14 AM
JAMF, Congrats to my BFF.
CornerJ, Renaming the award is an hysterically funny idea.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | November 28, 2010 at 11:17 AM
hey ladies like the savage warriors fantasy too, you know. Just ask the legions of Xena fans (or maybe it's just the skin-tight leather we like). Although JustanotherFriedman award is too funny, CornerJ.Posted by: Seely_Iggy | November 28, 2010 at 11:14 AM
*
Seely_Iggy, behave yourself! Lol! Just playing with you my sister!
Posted by: MAM | November 28, 2010 at 11:20 AM
I wish I could feel excited about Bynum's announcement that he'll be back real soon, but I just can't. I think Matt Moore (ProBasketball Talk) sums it best with this headline - "Andrew Bynum back soon. Rinse, lather, repeat." I just wish he wouldn't make this projections anymore and get me all aflutter only to have the return date pushed back again. Just be quiet and surprise us on the court. Yeah, that's what I like. A BIG surprise so that I can faint and crash into my TV or something.
Posted by: Seely_Iggy | November 28, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Thanks everyone - you guys & girls are all so very kind.
CornerJ - that was hilarious!! I'm still ROTFLMAO!!!!
BUT - it's still the Friedman Award. Always will be.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 28, 2010 at 11:24 AM
I kid! I kid on Bynum!
Posted by: 63 Footer | November 28, 2010 at 11:09 AM
=====
Ah! A little Bill Maher humor.
As you know, the entire premise of my post was that Kupchak has "mastered his craft," which implies that there was a learning curve. I realize this guy's a troll, but he fed me a perfect bounce pass so I decided to slam it home!
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | November 28, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Seely_Iggy, behave yourself! Lol! Just playing with you my sister!
Posted by: MAM | November 28, 2010 at 11:20 AM
LOL sorry. It's game day, and I tend to throw all sense of responsibility and good sense out the window on game day.
Posted by: Seely_Iggy | November 28, 2010 at 11:28 AM
musta justa - another one?...well deserved sister...congratulations...
Been a while...but my morning haiku...
Here you go Blog Crue
justanothermambafan
RCOTD...
Lakers Dynasty - The Next Generation...
#17 Coming Up!!!
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 28, 2010 at 11:31 AM
LOL - thanks lew!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 28, 2010 at 11:38 AM
A beautiful morning here in Las Vegas...
It Laker Sunday Game Day...
Checking in for brother Mamba24 awesome Roll Call...
Tonight we right the ship...and start a new winning streak...
A Laker blowout would be the right way to end this Thanksgiving Weekend...
Also I would like to add...My wife Cora and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary yesterday...we have been together for a wonderful 15 years...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 28, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Justa- C0ngrats,Hmmmm I'm gonna need a trophy room. My mantle's getting full. My god women.. you need a BALLROOM.lol
Posted by: 2Phatt | November 28, 2010 at 11:50 AM
What's Up GODFATHER? nice to see justa has her power back. I perdict a serious BEATDOWN tonight,killer b's will be back in form.
Posted by: 2Phatt | November 28, 2010 at 11:54 AM
LEWSTRS- Your correct it's a very nice day here in Vegas, but it's cold as hell in Summerlin. Congrats on your 10th, I celebrated a close friends 29th yesterday.
Posted by: 2Phatt | November 28, 2010 at 11:58 AM
lew - for you and Cora - a beautiful song....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLc1mZF_LYg
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 28, 2010 at 11:59 AM
@2phatt - Mrs LEWSTRS and I give our thanks...
@justa - not only an award poster...but psychic...Tony Toni Tone is one of her favorites...she gives mucho thanks...as well as I...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | November 28, 2010 at 01:00 PM
just to create some controversy & discussion, I say it's time Phil integrates Shannon into the starting lineup.
I love Fish, always have, hated when they let him go, will always like the guy, but hios overall game is falling fast - Sure, he had a few nice minutes in the playoffs, but most of last year he was very average, at best. Last season, he went for 7.5 pts, 2.5 assists & 2 boards & defense was okay, this year so far & yes it's early, he's at 8 pts, less than 3 assists & less than 2 boards a game. He is, naturally, too slow now to keep up with the young fast guards in this league, & it shows.
Let Shannon start & let Fish come off the bench to calm the 2nd unit down if need be, like the last game, & direct traffic for the minutes he's on the floor.
I just don't think Fish can put up consistent numbers for a starter in this league anymore.
And also this team is not a young team by NBA standards, & we need to get the youth in there, not only for now, but the future.
Posted by: Dallas | November 28, 2010 at 03:14 PM
Dallas - I disagree. There are a few games where FIsh hasn't played well but taken as a hole he's been shooting the ball well, much better than what he's usually done in the regular season. As well as Shannon has played, part of his success has to do with coming off the bench because he provides a spark at the same time the opposition is starting to feel drained. He fits in better with Barnes and Blake would because of that quickness and athleticism. What's more important is the number of minutes Shannon plays than whether he starts. He's played 19 minutes a game yet has been very efficient in using those minutes
Posted by: Mark Medina | November 28, 2010 at 03:24 PM
Now, for Mitch & Bynum. One, Mitch has dome some great & some bad moves over his tenure, but instead of now, I am looking forward & do not like what I see. Of their bench Shannon is a can't miss, as good as Barnes is, he's a role player, soon KB, PG, LO, RA & Fish all will be gone & I see no real future on this bench, which leads me too Bynum.
This guy, for all his size & potential, is soft. Last season, he took a week of games off for a respiratory infection ? Really Andrew ? Geez, I have had 3 back surgeries, 3 neck cancer surgeries & a 4th this week, yet I still work as hard as I ever did. This guy makes his own timetable, sits down for a cold or bronchitis, doesn't always play with pain & no knock as he was raised that way, but quite frankly, he's a baby.
So look down the bench, by the way a much improved bench from, season last, but we got Sasha, Walton, the 2 kids, Ratliff, Barnes & Shannon - where is the future of this team ? Why is no one concerned ?
Mitch needs to make some very creative moves to lock down a high pick, or young stud in this league, but with what ?
Posted by: Dallas | November 28, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Yea Mike but with more minutes, he'd do even better, getting this team out in front faster & farther. I know everyone has a soft spot for Fish, but the facts are just that; his D is not of a starter's caliber, & his offense, is okay, but 8 & less than 3 assists ? No, at this stage, the team would be more effective w/ Shannon starting.
Posted by: Dallas | November 28, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Dallas - I disagree. They don't even play the same position. Blake subs for Fish.
Posted by: Lakerholic | November 28, 2010 at 04:10 PM
They have to move out of the family house, if it belonged to their spouse.
Posted by: pandora necklaces | December 01, 2010 at 06:06 PM