Phil Jackson says Andrew Bynum plans to play against San Antonio
After performing "limited work" during Wednesday's practice, Lakers center Andrew Bynum says he feels comfortable enough to play Thursday against San Antonio, Coach Phil Jackson said.
"He says he wants to," Jackson said of Bynum, who sat out of Tuesday's 114-106 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets because of a bone bruise in his left knee. "He was out performing."
Asked how Bynum looked in practice, Jackson said, "It's not high energy, but he looked OK. It looked like he was ready."
Bynum didn't talks to reporters after Wednesday's practice, but speaking briefly following Tuesday's game, he said that his knee "feels good" and that he planned on playing against the Spurs.
--Mark Medina
Twitter.com/latmedina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
MM, could we delete the 'Mr. Laker' comment? Thanks in advance.
Posted by: noop | February 02, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Mr. Laker,
Your comments are -- quite frankly -- of the lowest common denominator. If you're truly a fan, you're not of the ilk with which I enjoy associating. Opinions? Fine. Bashing and name-calling? Not fine.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | February 02, 2011 at 02:56 PM
The Outlaw,
Accurate assessment.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 02, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Glad to hear that Bynum will be on the floor against San Antonio. I want to see how we play them in our building, with most of our line-up intact (although it would be GREAT to have Barnes back for this game). I missed the game in San Antonio (I was in Baja, and it sounds like that was the better call), so I'm anxious to see us match up with the team that, I believe, will give us the most trouble in the playoffs.
I hope Pau stays as aggressive as he was last night. Take it strong to the rack, Pau!
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | February 02, 2011 at 03:05 PM
So is tomorrows game considered to a certain degree a must win?
I say it is.
Posted by: Magia32 | February 02, 2011 at 03:11 PM
I watched the Rockets game and tried to figure out what the heck was going on on defense. As a former athlete who excelled on defense in multiple sports, it's something that come naturally to me.
Defense can be boiled down to a few factors:
1. Unrelenting aggression
2. A greater desire to beat your opponent than one's fear of being beaten
3. Selflessness and willingness to do dirty work whether or not you are acknowledged for it
4. An intuitive predictiveness of your opponent's actions before they commit to it based upon prior interactions, an assessment of their personality and tendencies/patterns, and raw instinctive reactiveness
5. The ability to focus with near tunnel vision in acheiving your goals
6. The ability to recognize one's teammates positioning and defensive proclivities to instinctively optimise one's position and diminish the angles of opportunities for one's opponents.
Where are the Lakers lacking?
1, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Simply put. The Lakers COLLECTIVELY lack the mean-spirited aggressive energy necessary to form the template upon which good defense is built... and that lack the intensity of focus to sustain whatever template they do construct as a dynamic unit.
I can attribute it to nothing other than mid-season malaise.
The core of good defense is something that cannot be taught. It's part of a person's character or it isn't: A mean-spirited, intense, selfless competitiveness.
The selfless part is the most important.
Showboaters tend to be poor defensive players because they are driven by the desire for attention and accolades.
Defensive players are driven by the desire NOT TO BE BEATEN and to punish those who would insult them by even trying to beat them. It's the energy of "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TRYING TO BEAT ME/US? You're out of your fricken mind!!!"
What I'm very confused about is that Ron Artest is lacking that energy... because that seems to be part of his core character. It's strange.
Now KOBE still has that energy, you can see it in his focus and muscle movements...
(I know people are going to scream at me about this, but hear me out) FISHER still has that energy, you can see it in his focus and intent (even if his speed and sometimes how he works off the angles set up or denied him by his teammates could be better)...
Nobody else seems to have that energy except Bynum for short, angry bursts.
I think Phil needs to start playing mindgames with this team and make them angry... because they're not angry... and they're slacking as a result.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 02, 2011 at 03:19 PM
"So is tomorrows game considered to a certain degree a must win?
I say it is.
Posted by: Magia32 | February 02, 2011 at 03:11 PM "
I'd say it as close to a must win as a game in February can be. If they again fail to bring it against an elite team, I think the doubts and the frustration will really escalate, both on here and in the locker room.
Posted by: Bay to LA | February 02, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Why is it a "must win"?
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | February 02, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Mitch Kupchak talks about the 3 year anniversary of trading for Pau Gasol, the trade deadline, and the Laker's play.
http://www.nba.com/video/games/lakers/2011/02/02/20110201_kupchak_int.nba/?ls=iref:nbahpt2
Posted by: Clap on Clap Off - The Clapper | February 02, 2011 at 03:26 PM
"So is tomorrows game considered to a certain degree a must win?
We're talking about practice season man
Practice, practice,
Practice season man
Posted by: Clap on Clap Off - The Clapper | February 02, 2011 at 03:28 PM
If the Lakers are not interested in playing in the Finals this June. Maybe Lakers should juts trade Bynum to Spurs and help them win against Boston.
Spurs-Celtics Championship is brewing and Spurs may need a big man like Bynum!
If you can't beat them (Boston), help a team that can beat them (Spurs).
Bynum
Duncan
Jefferson
Ginobili
Parker
Posted by: Staples 24 | February 02, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Why is it a "must win"?
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | February 02, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Lakers have been slapped by every team with a realistic chance at a ring, this season. I, we all know it's just the regular season, but it's time to punch back. On top of that the game is in LA. Protect your home.
Time to save face.
Posted by: Magia32 | February 02, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Mr Laker,
You agree Bynum should go to Spurs?
Posted by: Staples 24 | February 02, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Just when I think it can't get any crazier in here, it does.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | February 02, 2011 at 03:34 PM
please stop ridiculing me
you try running and jumping every day with 300 pounds to support
just know I'll be ready by the playoffs
Posted by: I got an owie | February 02, 2011 at 03:35 PM
This is a golden opportunity to continue to close the gap in the West. We could be just 5 1/2 game back by tommorrow night. Sending possitive energy the Lakers way.
Posted by: Lake Show | February 02, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Is it me, or was it just Houston
but Kobe looked very quick last night
Posted by: Clap on Clap Off - The Clapper | February 02, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Clapper:
It's not just you -- Kobe is starting to look a LOT quicker lately. I think that knee is starting to feel better... and Kobe HATES losing.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | February 02, 2011 at 03:54 PM
"So is tomorrows game considered to a certain degree a must win?
I say it is."
Posted by: Magia32 | February 02, 2011 at 03:11 PM
_________
Me too because they have an opportunity to pick up a whole game against the WC leader. This team needs to begin playing for HCA and no better time than tomorrow. Gotta kick em' when they're down!
Trade(s) or no Trade(s), this team is going to win another championship. You have the greatest coach, greatest player and greatest owner all on the same team.
"JUST DO IT"
Posted by: frmkt | February 02, 2011 at 04:07 PM
I was simply trying to point out that Artest has more trade value than people think, so I believe I came up with a sensible deal which proved my point. This is a deal that I would consider if I were the Lakers, but you, on the other hand, wouldn't make that trade if you were the lakers but might if you were Orlando. So I think I made my point. I think. :)
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | February 02, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Point made.
Posted by: LRob | February 02, 2011 at 04:08 PM
@KOBEMVP888... Tomorrow night’s game may not be a must win game for Kobe but it might be for Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Ron Artest, and Steve Blake because if the Lakers drop a second straight game to the Spurs, Mitch’s motivation to make a change and seek a tread might come to fruition. Yes, tomorrow night’s game is a practice game but if we lose, then the pressure to trade increases.
...
It would be pretty ironic to end up trading Pau Gasol near his 3-year anniversary as a Laker. I was pleased to see him finally show some fire and passion for a change last night, although he still tends to be knocked off balance or kilter by any physical contact, which tends to throw him off his game. For the Lakers and for Pau, I hope he can regain his standing as the NBA’s best power forward.
...
But I still worry about whether or not Pau can stay motivated and driven. His personality and demeanor are very cosmopolitan and non-confrontational and PLG is right when she says he just does not have toughness in his DNA. Physical toughness is a mental attribute that develops from being challenged and learning how to stand up to bullies whether it be on the street or basketball court. I doubt until he got to the NBA that Pau ever really had to stand up for himself.
...
I suspect that any increased aggressiveness and toughness will only last for a brief period before Pau’s core personality takes over. Pau just does not have the built in competitive drive that makes Kobe great, but then very few if any NBA players do. That drive is what makes Kobe so unique. Hopefully, Pau will be able to step out of character against those teams and players in those games that really count. That is the best that we can hope for because Pau isn’t going to hit the weights.
..........................................
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | February 02, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Yes,
Trade Bumyn to the Spurs,
He will break down anyways!
I hate the Celticoes, The Heatless, and the Spurms,
in that order!!!!!
HATEHATE
Those teams forever, and in that order!!!!!!
Posted by: Mr. Laker | February 02, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Posted by: Mr. Laker
I hate the Celticoes, The Heatless, and the Spurms,
in that order!!!!!
Funny.I just think the lakers need a small tweak if any to bring a little spark to the team like maybe a rip Hamilton,Stephen jackson, will be a nice fit for lakers.But i don't think we have the pieces or the cap pace to make that happen.None the less we can still put it together in time to raise the trophy.
They need to focus and play with some pride and energy sometimes Cause it doesn't look like they they have their heads in the game.
Go lakers!!
Posted by: OCLEZY | February 02, 2011 at 06:42 PM
@All Freedom of Speech Rancorous Stonewallers,
STop silencing Us Fans Who Speak The Truth!!!
STOP Blocking and or Erasing My Posts or anyone elses who happens to say anything bad about a a Laker player or one of Medina's but/buddy posters!!!!
Medina, what is this you becoming a
Fascist Oppressive Tyranical Nazi!!!
LET US SPEAK/STOP the SILENCE!!!
LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!LET US SPEAK/FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!
LET US SPEAK/STOP the SILENCE!!!
LET US SPEAK/STOP the SILENCE!!!
LET US SPEAK/STOP the SILENCE!!!
LET US SPEAK/STOP the SILENCE!!!
Posted by: Mr. Laker | February 02, 2011 at 07:12 PM
I think that everyone underestimates the difficulty of a 3-peat. It is hard enough to motivate yourself to do a repeat. A 3-peat is 3 times as hard as winning a championship. The key is positioning your team so they are not burnt out at the end of the season so they can peak at the right time. At the end of the season the spurs will be burnt out just like Dallas and Cleveland and everyone else that had great seasons and no rings. Phil has 3-peats because he knows how far to push his team. Pau started the season burning up the league, then he pulled back. Its not that he can't play hard, he just can't keep it up that long. Give them a break, let them coast through the mid-season. The only fresh blood the Lakers need is Barnes for energy and Ratliff to crack some heads. Phil isn't worried, he has done this before. I know it would make everyone feel better for the Lakers to play all out the whole season. Phil knows that does not win championships. Take a deep breath and have a little faith.
Posted by: bruman | February 02, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Don't look now but HERE COME THE SPURS! We fixin to add insult to injury. We fixing to add more misery to your season and remind you who the better team is!
Posted by: 210Balla | February 02, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Spurs shut the Forum down, now we aiming at tearing down Staples Center!
Posted by: 210Balla | February 02, 2011 at 10:09 PM