Simmons: Lakers Should Be Concerned

[CaptainLate]

Q: Why does everyone keep saying I'm definitely coming back next month, and why does everyone keep assuming I'll be the same rebounding/ shotblocking force I was in November and December? Do you realize I'm only 21 and coming off a dislocated kneecap? Do you realize the only exercise I've gotten in the past seven weeks has been lightly jogging in a therapeutic pool? Also, how do you know I'm not 320 pounds right now? How do you know I'm not spending more time at Roscoe's Chicken N' Waffles than Roscoe does? What makes you think I'll be good right away when I have to play myself back into shape? What makes you think I'll have 100 percent confidence in my knee right away?

Remember, I already tore an ACL back in high school, making this my second serious knee injury and until this season, everyone thought I was an underachieving wuss (including the best guy on my team). Sorry to sound like I'm complaining, but all this "And when they get Bynum back, they'll be even better!" talk is starting to make me legitimately uncomfortable. I don't want to be blamed if we fall short in the playoffs. Honestly, I don't even care about the playoffs -- I'll just be excited if I can run up and down a basketball floor without limping. No offense. Whoops, I have to go, the guy just rang the doorbell with my Pizza Hut delivery. --Andrew B., Los Angeles

SG: All great points. If I'm a Lakers fan, I'm terrified by three things right now:

1. Bynum's knee injury happened on Jan. 13 and the Lakers claimed he would return within two months. Um, it's March 5. Where is he? Here's the last public quote we've heard from him, courtesy of an L.A. Times story on Feb. 29: "If I'm able to run in the pool with no pain, then we'll start building my leg up more and more. I'm making progress and I'm excited to actually run in the pool, but I'm still not back." Does that sounds encouraging? I say no.

2. The Lakers can't beat San Antonio in a series with Pau Gasol, Ronnie Turiaf and D.J. Mbenga defending Tim Duncan. It's not happening. They need Bynum -- a healthy Bynum.

3. Removing Bynum from the picture makes Lamar Odom their third-best guy. He's a wonderfully talented forward and a nice guy by all accounts, but if you're counting on him in a big moment, he's going to let you down. He will. I remember attending a Clippers-Lakers game three years ago when Odom came to the line in a big moment, and the guy sitting next to me (a season-ticket holder since '84) muttered confidently something like, "Watch this, he'll miss the first one, we watched him do this for years." And he did. And the guy giggled happily. (Every Clippers fan thinks Odom is a choke artist. Warrants mentioning.) Then he signed with Miami, and if you remember, they made the second round in Wade's rookie season and had the Pacers tied at 2-2 before Odom went 11-for-32 in Games 5 and 6 (both losses). In the first round in 2006, when Kobe and the Lakers dragged Phoenix to a seventh game, Odom and Smush Parker stunk out the joint so badly that Kobe infamously refused to shoot in the second half.

Now he's the third-best guy on a team that's favored to win the 2008 title. Can he step up when he's never shown that ability over the course of his career? In Sunday's ABC game against Dallas, Odom (who only scored six points in 48 minutes) was fouled with a one-point lead and six seconds to play in regulation ... and promptly bricked both free throws. It's not that he missed the free throws as much as anyone who's followed his career even a little knew that he'd miss the first free throw and possibly both. As it turned out, L.A. needed a superhuman performance from Kobe (52 points, 22 in the fourth quarter) to hold off Dallas in overtime. That's the thing everyone seems to be missing about the Lakers -- yeah, they have Kobe and Gasol, but they still need Odom to come through on a big stage, they need their young guards to come through for three straight series (in that Dallas game, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic shot 4-for-18), and they need Bynum to return to form. Anything less and they're not making the Finals unless Kobe has a neverending supply of 22-point fourth quarters in reserve.

(And by the way, I'm not necessarily ruling that out. Kobe can smell a title now. You can see it. He knows better than anyone that a championship would push him up a level historically and put him alongside the all-time great NBA guards: Oscar, Cousy, West, Magic and MJ. Those are the stakes. Ever since he heard the words, "We got Gasol," he took it to another level. More on this in a little bit.)

[DazedAndConfused]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.

[CaptainLate]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.

No...it's a matter of proving to the Flaker fans that the pundits (and not just Spurs fans) are wising up to the fact that the Flakers won't be able to pull it off this year. :nope

[samikeyp]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.


yes because all Spurs fans think alike. :rolleyes

[Rummpd]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.



You forget the Spurs drafted a center playing internationally named Splitter, who though not the massive size of Bynum may well already be a better defender than Bynum will ever be. Meanwhile the next 4-5 years at least they will still have Duncan, and have a young Parker and a SG right behind Kobe in talent and verve in Ginobili.

Lakers are what they are a talented team dominated by one superstar who will try to win games by himself. Not happening enough in a series vs Spurs. Lot tougher outs for Spurs than Lakers.

[DazedAndConfused]

You forget the Spurs drafted a center playing internationally named Splitter, who though not the massive size of Bynum may well already be a better defender than Bynum will ever be. Meanwhile the next 4-5 years at least they will still have Duncan, and have a young Parker and a SG right behind Kobe in talent and verve in Ginobili.

Lakers are what they are a talented team dominated by one superstar who will try to win games by himself. Not happening enough in a series vs Spurs. Lot tougher outs for Spurs than Lakers.

HHAHAHHAHHA......Tiaggo Splitter a better defender than Bynum????......HAHHAHA

[ancestron]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/xxxsplode_n_u2/1201905048.gif

[DazedAndConfused]

^^hilarious.

[Brandon Bass]

^^hilarious.
America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[temujin]

HHAHAHHAHHA......Tiaggo Splitter a better defender than Bynum????......HAHHAHA

ahahahahah
manu Ginobili an NBA player!


ahahahahahah
Luis Scola an NBA player!!!!!!!!!!!!

ahahahahah
Kurt Thomas for nothing!!!!!!!!!!
ahahahahahahahahah

[ChumpDumper]

The fact that I feel the need to post regularly in a Spurs forum really shows how afraid of the Spurs I am.

[J.T.]

^ thread over :lmao

[Indazone]

Lakers will get beat on Sunday

[DazedAndConfused]

This is a Spurs forum?

[anakha]

Man The Lakers Are Da Bomb This Year We Have Paul Gasol Best Pf/c In Da Nba, We Have Da Kobe Bryant Best All Around Player In The Nba, We Have Da Andrew Buynum The Best Pure Center In The Nba 100 Times Better Then Cry Baby Duncan, Man And We Also Have The Best Head Coach In Phil Jackson I Mean Ifyou Guys Really Think You Can Beat My Team The Lakers This Year That Is The Biggest Joke In The World Muahahahahahahahamuahahahhahmuahahahahhahh I Mean We Have The Best Fan Base We Have The Best Hotdogs We Have The Best Drinks In The World At Our Stadium We Have The Hottest Chicks Coming To Watch Us Eveyrygame La Is Paradise Without The Church Music I Mean By God As My Witness We Will Win The Next 10 Nba Championships No One Can Contain Kobe,gasol,odom,buynum,fisher That Is A Dream Team Baby And You Guys Dont Stand Achance To Beat Us This Time Or In The Future Becausef Your Lineup Is Old And Over The Hill And All You So Called Fans Know It Go Lakers We Rule God Is A Laker Fan Kobe Is God Gasol Is God Odom Is God Buynum Is Fisher Is God

ES, is that you?

[Indazone]

Well this should be a Spurs forum but everybody that doesn't know how to read keeps starting dumbass threads in here about other teams.

[Mr. Body]

I'd take Bynum over Splitter on potential, but Splitter will be a better fit for us and (knock on wood) isn't injury prone. I'd take solid, smart plays over grandstanding dunks any day.

[Banzai]

Lakers will get beat on Sunday That's cool..you can think the Lakers will lose..and I can think the Lakers will win.

[smeagol]

This is a Spurs forum?
No this is LG.net. Didn't you notice . . . ?

[DazedAndConfused]

I'd take Bynum over Splitter on potential, but Splitter will be a better fit for us and (knock on wood) isn't injury prone. I'd take solid, smart plays over grandstanding dunks any day.

No you wouldn't. Deep down you'd take Bynum in a heartbeat. He is only 20 years old and has a MUCH higher ceiling than this Splitter kid. He was showing a wide array of post moves prior to his injury, it's only a matter of time before he puts it all together. Plus he has proved he can play in the NBA, Splitter hasn't played one fucking game and you are already crowning him. Talk about premature ejaculation.

[Mr. Body]

Talk about premature ejaculation.

Into your mouth. Still got my target.

[DazedAndConfused]

Spit back into your mouth. Snowball.

[Indazone]

Spit back into your mouth. Snowball.

Get that weak stuff outta here. :nope

[DazedAndConfused]

Scolarules where the fuck were you the 1st half of the season? Oh that's right you wouldn't show your face when the Rox were playing .500 ball.

[cash459]

No you wouldn't. Deep down you'd take Bynum in a heartbeat. He is only 20 years old and has a MUCH higher ceiling than this Splitter kid. He was showing a wide array of post moves prior to his injury, it's only a matter of time before he puts it all together. Plus he has proved he can play in the NBA, Splitter hasn't played one fucking game and you are already crowning him. Talk about premature ejaculation.

so when bynum can come back and prove himself in an nba game again, let alone a playoff game....then we can discuss. 'til then, drop the bynum talk.

and no im not on the splitter bandwagon, so think again before you come at me with that. I KNOW he hasnt proven anything yet.

[Holt's Cat]

anDReW bYnUm Is thE bEstESt eVa!!!!~~~~~ :elephant :elephant :elephant

[ChumpDumper]

I have never heard of or seen Tiago Splitter.

[FromWayDowntown]

By the time Bynum's career is over, he will not only have become the most dominant big man to ever play the game -- having single-handedly changed the direction of NBA basketball for at least a decade -- he will likely have found a cure for cancer, helped to find a lasting peace in the Middle East, reversed global warming, convinced politicians to be faithful to their spouses, and found a terminal number for Pi.

The dude is seriously that good.

[CaptainLate]

I'd take Bynum over Splitter on potential, but Splitter will be a better fit for us and (knock on wood) isn't injury prone. I'd take solid, smart plays over grandstanding dunks any day.

Stern and the NBA want "flash" and SportsCenter highlights that make your head :dizzy

Only the Spurs seem to "get it", and that is this: Basic fundamentals (bringing in Euros) and team play (unselfish, non-ego types) consistently win championships. :king

[CaptainLate]

Bynum...was showing a wide array of post moves prior to his injury, it's only a matter of time before he puts it all together.

Prediction: the kid will never be as good as Dwight Howard or Amare S (who came back from serious injury problems).

[Findog]

^^hilarious.

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[Indazone]

Both the Spurs and the Rockets could deal out a healthy beatdown of the Fakers!

[cash459]

Both the Spurs and the Rockets could deal out a healthy beatdown of the Fakers!

:toast

[Medvedenko]

Spurs are still tops in the Western Conference in my opinion. Until we have our full team in play it's hard to judge this team.

[DazedAndConfused]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efsJwJxYEk

If you still don't think this kid has a future in this league after watching this video then I honestly won't bother arguing with you. He's only 20, and he's being tutored by the best of the best KAJ. Will he be the most dominant center ever.....of course not, but he will be damn good. 7'1" centers with his length, size, foot work, and soft touch don't grow on trees. There is a reason the Laker org. risked losing Kobe to keep this kid.

And his knee "injury" required no surgery whatsoever and he will recover 100% from it so long as he is careful in his rehab process.

[DazedAndConfused]

And what exactly has Tiaggo Splitter proved in the NBA? He hasn't played 1 game yet. Bynum has been in this league for years and held his ground against the top centers in the league. He's a far more proven commodity then Splitter.

I love how Spurs fans talk shit about Bynum being young and inexperienced and then tout Splitter as the next best thing since sliced bread when he hasn't played 1 single NBA game.

[Medvedenko]

Actually only Rummpd has been on Tiago's jock all year.

[cash459]

bynum has already had TWO knee injuries....how he comes back will determine the future.....stop jocking him so much too, and maybe the Spurs fans wouldnt feel the need to bash so much.....

get off it already. again, NOBODY has seen him play since his injury.... :bang

[FromWayDowntown]

Spurs are still tops in the Western Conference in my opinion. Until we have our full team in play it's hard to judge this team.

I'm not entirely convinced that the Spurs are the best team in the West right now and I understand the love that the Lakers have been getting of late, but I also don't understand the hyperbolic assertions about how good Andrew Bynum is. To hear some Laker fans talk about him, he's going to win 10 MVPs before he's done and have to put rings on his teeth to wear them all at the same time. He's a great kid who's worked very hard to improve his game to the point that he's a player who clearly makes a difference for a good team, but that's a far cry short of what some Laker fans think he is.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.

So says the Laker's fan who comes onto a Spurs board and talks constantly about the Lakers.

He still hasn't gotten out of the pool. :lol

[cash459]

I'm not entirely convinced that the Spurs are the best team in the West right now and I understand the love that the Lakers have been getting of late, but I also don't understand the hyperbolic assertions about how good Andrew Bynum is. To hear some Laker fans talk about him, he's going to win 10 MVPs before he's done and have to put rings on his teeth to wear them all at the same time. He's a great kid who's worked very hard to improve his game to the point that he's a player who clearly makes a difference for a good team, but that's a far cry short of what some Laker fans think he is.

:toast

[FuzzyLumpkins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efsJwJxYEk

If you still don't think this kid has a future in this league after watching this video then I honestly won't bother arguing with you. He's only 20, and he's being tutored by the best of the best KAJ. Will he be the most dominant center ever.....of course not, but he will be damn good. 7'1" centers with his length, size, foot work, and soft touch don't grow on trees. There is a reason the Laker org. risked losing Kobe to keep this kid.

And his knee "injury" required no surgery whatsoever and he will recover 100% from it so long as he is careful in his rehab process.

It hasn't required surgery yet. I don't think you understand how significant a severe dislocation to an already damaged knee can be. And the 100% return was supposed to be after 2 months and he still cannot get out of the pool.

But according to the homer thats no big deal I guess.

[DazedAndConfused]

Who on this site has ever said Bynum will win 10 MVPs or anything remotely like that?

[DazedAndConfused]

It hasn't required surgery yet. I don't think you understand how significant a severe dislocation to an already damaged knee can be. And the 100% return was supposed to be after 2 months and he still cannot get out of the pool.

But according to the homer thats no big deal I guess.

You are one of the most uninformed posters I've ever seen. Everything you've said about Bynum has been wrong to some degree.

First of all he has never ever damaged the knee that got sublaxed. And the prognosis was 8 weeks MINIMUM, but several people inside the organization knew that with a deep bone bruise it would take longer. It's not a big deal to me when he comes back so long as he is healthy and can recover 100% from this injury, which he will. Unlike nearly every other team out there we are built to contend for the next 5 years. Winning it all this year would be a bonus IMHO.

And your precious Duncan had to have knee surgery, and guess what he's fucking playing right now. Amare had mulitple microfracture surgeries, and guess what he's playing some amazing basketball right now. So yes injuries do suck, but they are part of the game and even the best of the best get them.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

D+C, why don't you go and have a great big circle jerk about Bynum with your Lakerfan buddies? I have never understood why people like you come here to engage in endless circular arguments with Spurs fans.

For the record, I think Bynum will be a top centre in this league as early as next year. He has all the tools. As for his success this year, I'm not so sure given that he will have to rehab, then find game shape and pace before the playoffs.

I'd really like to get the repeat done this year, because after the (should have been illegal) Gasol trade, they have a roster that is both scary and young.

I hate the fuckin Lakers.

[slayermin]

Bynum won't be productive unless his athleticism is restored to the level he was before the injury. He doesn't have a great back to the basket game. He doesn't shoot very well. And since we have Kurt Thomas, I am confident that KT and TD will use their veteran guile to frustrate him at every turn knowing he is gimpy.

And if everyone recalls, Oberto frustrated him so much in the LA that Bynum was ejected.

Say it with me. Dislocated knee cap. I'm not a medical professional but that's sounds pretty bad.

[cash459]

YOU started jumping on bynums jock as soon as anybody said anything negative about him. You were saying that he was going to dominate when he gets back. You said he was going to D up any other center in the league & that now w/ gasol, the lakers were going to dominate........

yes, both of them had knee surgeries/problems. but they DIDNT play the same as before or get back to "normal" for a while..........so dont expect that out of your kid (who already has had 2 knee problems)

[DazedAndConfused]

I agree this season the odds of him playing near the level he was before he went down are pretty slim. But you are making it sound like the rest of his career is ruined because of this and I am pointing out how ludicrous that is. Duncan, Kobe, and Amare have had to have knee surgeries and all have returned and are able to play at a very high level. Bynum's injury didn't even require surgery.....

[cash459]

I agree this season the odds of him playing near the level he was before he went down are pretty slim. But you are making it sound like the rest of his career is ruined because of this and I am pointing out how ludicrous that is. Duncan, Kobe, and Amare have had to have knee surgeries and all have returned and are able to play at a very high level. Bynum's injury didn't even require surgery.....

he's young and has a fragile confidence and ego...no matter who is training him

[FromWayDowntown]

Who on this site has ever said Bynum will win 10 MVPs or anything remotely like that?

It's hyperbole.

[Spuradicator]

Lakerfan: Hells yeah Bynums my boy! I don't care if he hasnt proven shit in the NBA. We can crown him because we are laker fans,.......Boy, what!

[cash459]

Lakerfan: Hells yeah Bynums my boy! I don't care if he hasnt proven shit in the NBA. We can crown him because we are laker fans,.......Boy, what!

:lmao

[Louie Vega]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.


Just the reaction we were looking for ! LOL I love it!

[DazedAndConfused]

13.1 ppg
10 rpg
2.1 bpg
64% FG (highest in the league)
under 30mpg
20 years old

But keep on acting like he's a piece of shit that hasn't proven anything in the NBA while you crown Tiaggo Splitter as the next Tim Duncan even though he hasn't played one minute of NBA basketball.

[endrity]

13.1 ppg
10 rpg
2.1 bpg
64% FG (highest in the league)
under 30mpg
20 years old

But keep on acting like he's a piece of shit that hasn't proven anything in the NBA while you crown Tiaggo Splitter as the next Tim Duncan even though he hasn't played one minute of NBA basketball.

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[Findog]

I agree this season the odds of him playing near the level he was before he went down are pretty slim. But you are making it sound like the rest of his career is ruined because of this and I am pointing out how ludicrous that is. Duncan, Kobe, and Amare have had to have knee surgeries and all have returned and are able to play at a very high level. Bynum's injury didn't even require surgery.....

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[picnroll]

... but I also don't understand the hyperbolic assertions about how good Andrew Bynum is.

Start with the fact these are Lakers' fans. After all there was once a multi-page thread on LG.net about how Medvedenko was the next Dirk and once after a good game they had pegged Walton as the next Larry Bird. Based on that I think it's safe to say that Lakers' are right in their element saying Bynum is the next Russell, Wilt, Hakeem and DRob all rolled into one.

[td4mvp21]

Sucks for the Lakers if he's not going to be back healthy....

Also, I'm not scared of Bynum. I'll be scared of Bynum when he does something against us, or against a good frontcourt, in the playoffs.

[genomefreak13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efsJwJxYEk

If you still don't think this kid has a future in this league after watching this video then I honestly won't bother arguing with you. He's only 20, and he's being tutored by the best of the best KAJ. Will he be the most dominant center ever.....of course not, but he will be damn good. 7'1" centers with his length, size, foot work, and soft touch don't grow on trees. There is a reason the Laker org. risked losing Kobe to keep this kid.

And his knee "injury" required no surgery whatsoever and he will recover 100% from it so long as he is careful in his rehab process.

The fact that his only 20 and had two major injuries prove how fragile this kid is. You can't be dominant if you're not playing. Instead of looking to a future of domination - you'd be looking at a injury-filled future coupled with a lot of frustration.

You'd see him get traded in Atlanta in a couple of years.
:lol

[Princess Pimp]

With or without Bynum, The Lakers would beat the spurs in a heartbeat.

[DazedAndConfused]

LOL he's had one major injury in his career thus far. But I'm sure you are praying that he has a history of injury problems.

[Brandon Bass]

LOL he's had one major injury in his career thus far. But I'm sure you are praying that he has a history of injury problems.
America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[NRHector]

We really needed another thread about Bynum's knee injury.

The fact that you Spurs fans feel the need to post 5 Bynum threads a day really shows how afraid of him you are. You know when he comes back and is healthy, may not be this season, the Lakers will be very tough to beat.
excuse me you dumbfuck but do no say" you spurs fan" because that is only the opinion of one person you stupid idiot only a laker fan would say something like that, I really don't think the fakers can beat the spurs

[genomefreak13]

LOL he's had one major injury in his career thus far. But I'm sure you are praying that he has a history of injury problems.



Remember, I already tore an ACL back in high school, making this my second serious knee injury and until this season, everyone thought I was an underachieving wuss (including the best guy on my team)


Sorry I might have problems in reading articles and believing in everything they say Master GURU DAzedAndConfused...

[DazedAndConfused]

Sorry I might have problems in reading articles and believing in everything they say Master GURU DAzeAnd Confused...

Torn his ACL? OMG you're an idiot.

[dickface]

Torn his ACL? OMG you're an idiot.
America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[genomefreak13]

Torn his ACL? OMG you're an idiot.

:lol

[genomefreak13]

Torn his ACL? OMG you're an idiot.

Sorry Master GURU Help me read it again...


Q: Why does everyone keep saying I'm definitely coming back next month, and why does everyone keep assuming I'll be the same rebounding/ shotblocking force I was in November and December? Do you realize I'm only 21 and coming off a dislocated kneecap? Do you realize the only exercise I've gotten in the past seven weeks has been lightly jogging in a therapeutic pool? Also, how do you know I'm not 320 pounds right now? How do you know I'm not spending more time at Roscoe's Chicken N' Waffles than Roscoe does? What makes you think I'll be good right away when I have to play myself back into shape? What makes you think I'll have 100 percent confidence in my knee right away?

Remember, I already tore an ACL back in high school, making this my second serious knee injury and until this season, everyone thought I was an underachieving wuss (including the best guy on my team). Sorry to sound like I'm complaining, but all this "And when they get Bynum back, they'll be even better!" talk is starting to make me legitimately uncomfortable. I don't want to be blamed if we fall short in the playoffs. Honestly, I don't even care about the playoffs -- I'll just be excited if I can run up and down a basketball floor without limping. No offense. Whoops, I have to go, the guy just rang the doorbell with my Pizza Hut delivery. --Andrew B., Los Angeles

SG: All great points. If I'm a Lakers fan, I'm terrified by three things right now:

1. Bynum's knee injury happened on Jan. 13 and the Lakers claimed he would return within two months. Um, it's March 5. Where is he? Here's the last public quote we've heard from him, courtesy of an L.A. Times story on Feb. 29: "If I'm able to run in the pool with no pain, then we'll start building my leg up more and more. I'm making progress and I'm excited to actually run in the pool, but I'm still not back." Does that sounds encouraging? I say no.

2. The Lakers can't beat San Antonio in a series with Pau Gasol, Ronnie Turiaf and D.J. Mbenga defending Tim Duncan. It's not happening. They need Bynum -- a healthy Bynum.

3. Removing Bynum from the picture makes Lamar Odom their third-best guy. He's a wonderfully talented forward and a nice guy by all accounts, but if you're counting on him in a big moment, he's going to let you down. He will. I remember attending a Clippers-Lakers game three years ago when Odom came to the line in a big moment, and the guy sitting next to me (a season-ticket holder since '84) muttered confidently something like, "Watch this, he'll miss the first one, we watched him do this for years." And he did. And the guy giggled happily. (Every Clippers fan thinks Odom is a choke artist. Warrants mentioning.) Then he signed with Miami, and if you remember, they made the second round in Wade's rookie season and had the Pacers tied at 2-2 before Odom went 11-for-32 in Games 5 and 6 (both losses). In the first round in 2006, when Kobe and the Lakers dragged Phoenix to a seventh game, Odom and Smush Parker stunk out the joint so badly that Kobe infamously refused to shoot in the second half.

Now he's the third-best guy on a team that's favored to win the 2008 title. Can he step up when he's never shown that ability over the course of his career? In Sunday's ABC game against Dallas, Odom (who only scored six points in 48 minutes) was fouled with a one-point lead and six seconds to play in regulation ... and promptly bricked both free throws. It's not that he missed the free throws as much as anyone who's followed his career even a little knew that he'd miss the first free throw and possibly both. As it turned out, L.A. needed a superhuman performance from Kobe (52 points, 22 in the fourth quarter) to hold off Dallas in overtime. That's the thing everyone seems to be missing about the Lakers -- yeah, they have Kobe and Gasol, but they still need Odom to come through on a big stage, they need their young guards to come through for three straight series (in that Dallas game, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic shot 4-for-18), and they need Bynum to return to form. Anything less and they're not making the Finals unless Kobe has a neverending supply of 22-point fourth quarters in reserve.

(And by the way, I'm not necessarily ruling that out. Kobe can smell a title now. You can see it. He knows better than anyone that a championship would push him up a level historically and put him alongside the all-time great NBA guards: Oscar, Cousy, West, Magic and MJ. Those are the stakes. Ever since he heard the words, "We got Gasol," he took it to another level. More on this in a little bit.)

I underlined and Highlighted it for MY better understanding...What's my grade MASTER -GURU

[ATXSPUR]

To be honest I think Laker fans massively overrate bynum and Spurs fans massively overrate Splitter.

[DazedAndConfused]

Sorry Master GURU Help me read it again...



I underlined and Highlighted it for MY better understanding...What's my grade MASTER -GURU

I'm laughing at you because Bynum has never torn his ACL. Bill Simmons did not do his research and neither did you. Go look it up son, Bynum has NEVER torn his ACL.

[Humble Billy Hayes]

I'm laughing at you because Bynum has never torn his ACL. Bill Simmons did not do his research and neither did you. Go look it up son, Bynum has NEVER torn his ACL.
America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[SequSpur]

why is this topic in my forum?

[genomefreak13]

I'm laughing at you because Bynum has never torn his ACL. Bill Simmons did not do his research and neither did you. Go look it up son, Bynum has NEVER torn his ACL.

Damn! THEY SHOULD FIRE THAT BILL SIMMONS!

[genomefreak13]

I'm laughing at you because Bynum has never torn his ACL. Bill Simmons did not do his research and neither did you. Go look it up son, Bynum has NEVER torn his ACL.

Damn! they should fire Simmons! before he confuses me further...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm laughing at you because Bynum has never torn his ACL. Bill Simmons did not do his research and neither did you. Go look it up son, Bynum has NEVER torn his ACL.

Um, okay, but collegefanatics, and in particular a journalist named Matt Eagan, seems to think he did:


UConn recruit Andrew Bynum sustained a torn ACL in his right knee and will miss his senior season at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, N.J.

Bynum, a 7-foot, 295-pounder who is considered one of the top five high school centers in the nation, was injured during a scrimmage last week. He had an MRI Wednesday.

Bynum is expected to meet with a knee specialist on Long Island today but has not been scheduled for surgery.

"Mentally, he is in pretty good shape," said Bynum's brother, Corey Thomas. "He is in pretty good spirits. The doctors told him that Baron Davis came back from the same injury and came back even stronger."

Thomas said Bynum would begin rehabilitation shortly after the surgery.

http://www.collegefanatics.com/boards/showthread.php?t=12270

That was second on a google search of "Andrew Bynum acl".

Who doesn't do their research again???

Moron.

[Mr. Body]

Dazed has 1,580 posts to his name so far and they're all in this thread.

[DazedAndConfused]

This whole issue about Bynum's knees has been discussed ad nasuem in just about every Laker forum in existence. If you want definitive answers go there. From what I remember Bynum's injury in highschool was grossly overstated and he ended up coming back later that season and playing out the last 15 games or so. IIRC his own brother came onto one of the forums to clarify this issue.

[O-Factor]

Um, okay, but collegefanatics, and in particular a journalist named Matt Eagan, seems to think he did:



http://www.collegefanatics.com/boards/showthread.php?t=12270

That was second on a google search of "Andrew Bynum acl".

Who doesn't do their research again???

Moron.

DazedandConfused is a dumbfuck.

[DazedAndConfused]

If you want definitive answers on Bynum's health history go check out Lakersground.net or clublakers.com. You'll find dozens of threads about this exact topic. There is far more definitive information there than in this bullshit thread.

[Purple & Gold]

You forget the Spurs drafted a center playing internationally named Splitter, who though not the massive size of Bynum may well already be a better defender than Bynum will ever be. Meanwhile the next 4-5 years at least they will still have Duncan, and have a young Parker and a SG right behind Kobe in talent and verve in Ginobili.

Lakers are what they are a talented team dominated by one superstar who will try to win games by himself. Not happening enough in a series vs Spurs. Lot tougher outs for Spurs than Lakers.

Did you get paid for this post as well??

[Purple & Gold]

Bynum will shit on the spurs for the next decade. Eat it spurs fans.

[slayermin]

Bynum will shit on the spurs for the next decade. Eat it spurs fans.

As of March 11, 2008, Jerome James > Andrew Bynum.

[Purple & Gold]

As of March 11, 2008, Jerome James > Andrew Bynum.

:drunk :drunk

[slayermin]

:drunk :drunk

Playoffs
Bynum 6g 3.3ppg 3.8rpg
James 17g 9.4ppg 5.2rpg

[Purple & Gold]

Playoffs
Bynum 6g 3.3ppg 3.8rpg
James 17g 9.4ppg 5.2rpg

James 32 years old 2007/2008 2ppg 1.5rpg


:rolleyes

[slayermin]

James 32 years old 2007/2008 2ppg 1.5rpg


:rolleyes

Comparable careers in the playoffs so far.

[Purple & Gold]

Comparable careers in the playoffs so far.

Bynum 20 years old 2007/2008 13.1ppg 10.2 rpg

Get your weak shit out of here.

:dramaquee

[slayermin]

Bynum 20 years old 2007/2008 13.1ppg 10.2 rpg

Get your weak shit out of here.

:dramaquee

We will never know if he would have averaged that threw 82 games.

[Purple & Gold]

We will never know if he would have averaged that threw 82 games.

But we do know he's better than Jerome James.... Don't we?

[ChumpDumper]

If you want definitive answers on Bynum's health history go check out Lakersground.net or clublakers.com. You'll find dozens of threads about this exact topic. There is far more definitive information there than in this bullshit thread.Why would we want to go over there?

That would be like a lakerfan hanging out around here and posting over 1500 times red-assing about any remotely negative Laker-related post.

That would be pathetic.

[nfg3]

Regardless of what anyone says the jury is still out on Bynum. He's come a long way this year and hopefully can recover from the injury BUT hasn't done anything yet in the playoffs. Is he the second coming of Kareem? I sincerely doubt it but if recovers completely will make the Lakers a very formidable team and probably the favorite or one of them in the West on an anual basis. Probably not this year due to how little time is left in the season to get Byynum worked into the lineup but he has a very bright future.

It's a wait and see situation IMHO.

[cash459]

dazedandconfused is EXACTLY that, dazed & confused. :smokin

He obviously doesnt know enough about his own team, and is afraid to admit that he was worng and that bynum DID tear his acl....

everyone please ignore the idiotic posts from this guy, especially when it relates to the lakers or facts about them or bynum.

[DazedAndConfused]

*sigh*

DailyNews Article (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BYNUM+DRAWS+HIGH+PRAISE+LAKERS%27+TOP+PICK+%60FUNN Y,%27+WITH+%60GREAT...-a0133693554)


But before Bynum could play a single game his senior year, he suffered what was believed to be a serious injury to his right knee during a preseason scrimmage. It turned out to be a bruised kneecap, instead of the ACL tear that was originally feared. Nevertheless, Bynum had to sit out St. Joseph's first 10 games of the season, watching his team go 3-7 without him.

[cash459]

touche.... :oops

but at least you were able to back it up. i applaud you for that. :clap

second, it is still a SECOND knee injury. You ahve to be honest at least with his age, think that it is going to be in the back of his mind for a while.

also, no one has yet to see him play on that knee. Hell, he could mess it up worse on his first play back.

until he comes back, the lakers are capable of being beat.

there's a lot of season left to play.

[DazedAndConfused]

No sane Laker fan is expecting Bynum to return at full bore. If he is able to make it out on the court we are all hoping he can give us 70-80% of what he was before he went down. A rusty Bynum off the bench is still better than no Bynum.

And next time you run your mouth please do some research and get the facts straight beforehand. Just because you can find one silly article off Google doesn't make you right.

[Cry Havoc]

Why would we want to go over there?

That would be like a lakerfan hanging out around here and posting over 1500 times red-assing about any remotely negative Laker-related post.

That would be pathetic.

I see what you did there.

[MajicMan]

why are you guys still arguing over this shit? all this will be settled in the playoffs.

[endrity]

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[LakeShow]

taken from the same chat,

Q: Did you notice that we did it again? We mailed in November, December and January more egregiously than Forest Whitaker mailed in "Vantage Point" -- in fact, we would have mailed in February as well if the West didn't catch fire like it did. Now we're the favorites again. Tell your boys in Boston that the first three months of the NBA season don't mean squat. I'd have more to say but I have to go to the post office to mail another fruit basket to Sam Presti. See you in June. You're not getting rid of us. You're never getting rid of us.
--G. Popovich, San Antonio

SG: That clubbing sound you just heard was the sound of every ABC and ESPN executive punching themselves in the face. How does "Pistons-Spurs II: The Rematch" sound, fellas? Not quite as enticing as "Celtics-Lakers: The Next Generation" or "Kobe! LeBron! It's the NBA Finals on ABC!!!!" Right? Do you think the NBA has considered giving Tim Donaghy a new jersey number, a wig and a fake mustache and assigning him to every Spurs game in the Western finals?

:fro

[ChumpDumper]

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.I predict the above post will soon be a bannable offense.

You would be well advised to keep that in the leper colo-- I mean the NBA Forum.

No , I mean leper colony.

[DazedAndConfused]

I should be like ChumpDumper and yell OWNAGE to cash459.

[ChumpDumper]

I should be like ChumpDumper and yell OWNAGE to cash459.
If he whines about it constantly like you do, it will be worth it.

[DazedAndConfused]

Breakfast Club is a great movie. It was on USA the other day.

[FromWayDowntown]

Breakfast Club is a great movie. It was on USA the other day.

That might be about the worst retort to being called out that I've ever seen around here.

[DazedAndConfused]

That might be about the worst retort to being called out that I've ever seen around here.

Not a retort. Statement of fact. Breakfast Club is a good movie. Chumps avatar is of that kid from the movie no?

[FromWayDowntown]

Not a retort. Statement of fact. Breakfast Club is a good movie. Chumps avatar is of that kid from the movie no?

True enough -- I stand corrected and apologize for rushing to judgment. I offer this instead:

That might be the worst attempt to change the subject after being called out that I've ever seen around here.

[DazedAndConfused]

Called out? I just owned all the little whiny Spurs bitches who said Bynum's ACL was torn. This thread is done, me changing the subject means nothing.

[endrity]

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[ChumpDumper]

You guys are just about done.

[T Park]

Called out? I just owned all the little whiny Spurs bitches who said Bynum's ACL was torn. This thread is done, me changing the subject means nothing.


It means your a troll.

Period.

[LakeShow]

*sigh*

DailyNews Article (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BYNUM+DRAWS+HIGH+PRAISE+LAKERS%27+TOP+PICK+%60FUNN Y,%27+WITH+%60GREAT...-a0133693554)

:owned

[Findog]

Called out? I just owned all the little whiny Spurs bitches who said Bynum's ACL was torn. This thread is done, me changing the subject means nothing.


Have you eaten lunch yet?

[DazedAndConfused]

^^You just can't stop yourself from trolling can you? Face it you're addicted to it. It's time to get help.

[FromWayDowntown]

Why would we want to go over there?

That would be like a lakerfan hanging out around here and posting over 1500 times red-assing about any remotely negative Laker-related post.

That would be pathetic.

[Galileo]

Tim Duncan will eat Bynum alive in the low post, if they meet in the playoffs.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

why are you guys still arguing over this shit? all this will be settled in the playoffs.

First smart thing you've said on ST.

[cash459]

Tim Duncan will eat Bynum alive in the low post, if they meet in the playoffs.

:toast

and i hate to burst your bubble DaC...you dont own me...you proved one point, b/c i dont have the time to sit around and troll through the internet to find every single article ever written about bynum and that knee of his.

what i will say, is that yes, you did find an article that supported your statement about his acl not being torn, but you know what, thats what youre supposed to do when you have an argument; you find evidence to support it.

but you cant sit there and say that there are NO articles that say that he actually did tear it.

so you cant blame me for not knowing everything about the lakers, just like im sure you dont know everything there is to know about the Spurs...

[cash459]

First smart thing you've said on ST.

i second that

[DazedAndConfused]

:toast

and i hate to burst your bubble DaC...you dont own me...you proved one point, b/c i dont have the time to sit around and troll through the internet to find every single article ever written about bynum and that knee of his.

what i will say, is that yes, you did find an article that supported your statement about his acl not being torn, but you know what, thats what youre supposed to do when you have an argument; you find evidence to support it.

but you cant sit there and say that there are NO articles that say that he actually did tear it.

so you cant blame me for not knowing everything about the lakers, just like im sure you dont know everything there is to know about the Spurs...

blah, blah, blah. So after I repeatedly told you that the source was wrong and that you should really look into the issue what did you do? Did you heed my advice? No, you said I was stupid and that nobody should listen to me about Bynum's recovery. You acted like a fool and deserve to be treated as one.

Take your own advice about arguments, do your fucking research before you run your mouth. Especially about a player you know nothing about.

[Findog]

^^You just can't stop yourself from trolling can you? Face it you're addicted to it. It's time to get help.

It's a case of shooting purple fish in a barrel.

[DazedAndConfused]

^^You just can't stop yourself from trolling can you? Face it you're addicted to it. It's time to get help.

[cash459]

:toast

and i hate to burst your bubble DaC...you dont own me...you proved one point, b/c i dont have the time to sit around and troll through the internet to find every single article ever written about bynum and that knee of his.

what i will say, is that yes, you did find an article that supported your statement about his acl not being torn, but you know what, thats what youre supposed to do when you have an argument; you find evidence to support it.

but you cant sit there and say that there are NO articles that say that he actually did tear it.

so you cant blame me for not knowing everything about the lakers, just like im sure you dont know everything there is to know about the Spurs...

[DazedAndConfused]

In other words, I should probably shut the fuck up from now on about shit I know nothing about

[cash459]

I'm sure you can all tell from my recent posts that the shots taken at me about KFC and where I live are taking a toll on me mentally & emotionally, :dramaquee because I have such anger from it, this is the only way I can get it out & get back at people, by tearing them down on an internet post board. I'm sorry for my childish behavior. :cry

[cash459]

It means your a troll.

Period.

:toast

[DazedAndConfused]

Just be a man and admit you got owned about a subject you knew nothing about.

[cash459]

Just be a man and admit you got owned about a subject you knew nothing about.

do YOU not read what is posted and just run off at the mouth, like you claim i do?

i already did that! go back and look at the VERY NEXT post after you posted the excerpt from the article......

how does that saying go that you were so fond of??..........umm........

























:owned


now..............












:stfu