Looks like Bynum beefed up to 280 pounds of muscle now.
by: Mary Burns
Link to Article
Lakers center Andrew Bynum might not be quite ready to start playing NBA basketball just yet. But the 7-footer looks bigger and stronger than ever, and is able to run with no apparent effects from the knee injury that wiped out his season last January.
At least that's the report from Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, who traveled to Atlanta this week along with VP Jim Buss and Director of Scouting Bill Bertka to check in on his rehabilitating 20-year-old star.
"He looks to be in great shape. He looks ready to go," Kupchak said in a phone interview Thursday. "There's no reason to believe he won't be 100 percent for training camp."
Bynum has not played since suffering a bone bruise and partially dislocated kneecap in a game on January 13. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in May, and began workouts in July. Bynum has spent the past eight weeks in Atlanta working out with his own personal trainer.
Though Bynum did not play five-on-five basketball during the two-day visit, Kupchak said he watched the 7-foot, 280-pounder go through a strenuous workout that included running, jumping and various agility drills.
"That's the reason I went there," Kupchak said. "I wanted to see him run unen bered, go through agility drills, jumping drills, the things players do... You hope they don't limp or favor a leg. He did not. That was number one.
"On top of that, I was impressed by what he did with his body to get in shape and get stronger. It was obvious to me he had been in the weight room."
Bynum's progress is a major issue for the Lakers as they get set to defend their Western Conference crown. The former first-round draft pick was averaging career-highs in points (13.1), rebounds (10.2) and blocks (2.1) last season before going down when he landed awkwardly on Lamar Odom's foot while trying to snare a rebound.
The Lakers originally hoped that Bynum would return for the playoffs, but it proved not to be the case. L.A. went on to reach the Finals, losing to the Celtics in six games. Afterward, Kobe Bryant and other Lakers noted that they could have used Bynum's size and defense in the middle.
While clearly encouraged by his visit, Kupchak noted that Bynum still had a ways to go.
"He hasn't been in a game since January. So obviously training camp will be very important," Kupchak said. "You can go out and do drills, shoot, lift weights, and all that, but none of that will equate to NBA [basketball]. It's important for him to have a productive and hopefully injury-free training camp.
"But it's obvious he has worked."
Bynum is eligible for a contract extension before the start of the season, but Kupchak would not say whether his visit to Atlanta involved any discussions with his young star or his agent along those lines. He did indicate that both sides are willing to wait until the start of training camp next month to open talks.
"We'll go to camp and take it from there," Kupchak said.
Looking good for a full recovery. The Lakers front line will be beastly come November.
Hopefully the kid can stay healthy this year.
if so, Lakers own the #1 spot, no contest.
If Bynum can stay healthy this season, I see the lakers dominating the compe ion. Too many weapons for any team to deal with.
The rockets look great on paper as well. It as always comes back to injuries and overall execution. Don't sleep on Houston....alas, this is their mantra year in and year out. Maybe this year they'll put it together.
Remember the days when the Spurs used to be a force to be reckoned with?
jk
As long Bynumitte can crack down the boards, play physical defense on either sides of the floor, and get a block or two here and there the lakers would be complete. he doesn't need to score alot of pts for us to win...if he doesn it's a bonus!
Lakers 09'
It's hard to fault the Spurs, they were a win NOW team for the first part of this century. They successfully retooled over and over again to stay at the top of the conference while keeping their main guys intact. So far, they've easily been the team of the 2000's.Remember the days when the Spurs used to be a force to be reckoned with?
However, there is a cost to that re-tooling, they sent away young talent to bring in veterans that could win now. Most recently, guys like Beno and Scola were sent away to keep down the salary costs while the Spurs banked on older veterans.
Now the Spurs are faced with no tradeable assets outside their big 3 as no team would trade for any of their other active players.
I don't think I've ever seen such an untradeable team as the current Spurs. I'd hate for the Spurs to go down like this but I can't see any way out of it unless they trade Tony or Manu. And if you're going to trade away TP or Manu, who knows what they'll end up with.
yeah, it's gonna be a very very tough season.
I think even when fully healthy, this team isn't quite enough to win it all, but who knows.
Kinda scary that our hopes rely on Roger Mason having a huge season because outside of our big 3, our offense is gonna be very suspect.
I hope Bynum is ready by opening night. He's going to need to be for the Lakers to have any chance.
as long as pure talent goes the only team that really matches up to LA is Portland, Houston, and San Antonio
So which are worse, Bynum threads or Oden threads?
There haven't been many Bynum threads lately as there's been no news really for months....so I'd have to go with Oden threads.
what allanon said.
Hate to agree with a Laker fan, but I think you nailed the situation right on the head. Hopefully now, with a few older guys gone, this situation will begin to change. Mason, Hill, Udoka, Mahinmi, the rights to Gist, & (if the NBA changes some rules to deal with the Euro situation) the rights to Splitter could actually be nice assets...
I love when teams say that he has been in the weight room and now weighs xxx lbs. I mean what else is the guy supposed to do after knee surgery? Of course he is gonna be in the weight room and since he is not running and getting the cardio as he would if completely healthy, gaining weight is inevitable
look at Darius Miles
ya..he gained weight but I dont know about musclelook at Darius Miles
If TD, Manu and TP stay healthy, i like our chances as much as any team.
280 is a good weight for Bynum. Any legit 7-footer should easily be able to handle 300 lbs. I remember when Mehmet Okur was a Piston, I saw him at a club and noticed how skinny he was in person. At the time, he was about 250 at 6-11. I know basketball players are skinnier than other athletes. But, I think with NBA players getting bigger and stronger, 300 for a 7-footer who can maintain a certain level of athleticism and quickness should not be a huge issue.
Its definitely all about health for the rox..stay healthy and
It will be fun to watch the rox take on the fake show, celts, pistons, spurs, mavs, suns, ...
Last edited by TMAC-YAO-ARTEST; 08-28-2008 at 09:53 PM.
btw, bynum sux the big one. does he not
When did Rocket fans become the lowest IQ'd people on this board?
is that all you have^^
wgas what you think about my or any other rox fan's IQ
wow, 7.2 ppg career avg
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