Ok, it probably belongs in the NBA forum but if your like me, you don't even check there. So here it is....
It's a long way down the road, but this is something I was secretly hoping for.
Lakers' Jackson says return for Bynum unlikely
By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 04/21/2008 10:26:22 PM PDT
Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged Monday for the first time that injured center Andrew Bynum's chances of playing again this season were "remote."
Jackson was asked a question about the difficulty of hurriedly pairing Bynum with Pau Gasol and possibly messing up the Lakers' chemistry when he said Bynum might not be able to return from a left kneecap injury.
"I think without a doubt that Andrew would come off the bench and we would play him a little bit off the bench if there was any chance that he could come back and play again, but it's such a remote thing," he said. "We're not seriously thinking about it."
Bynum hasn't played since hurting his kneecap during the Lakers' victory Jan. 13 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers originally estimated that Bynum would be sidelined for at least eight weeks.
The 20-year-old failed to receive medical clearance two weeks ago to begin full-contact practices, however. There is no timetable for him to start the intense workouts needed to get him in shape to play in a game.
The Lakers have moved ahead without Bynum.
They also have paired other big men with Gasol during practice, Jackson said.
"We have put Pau out there with other centers, with Chris Mihm and having him play him at the forward spot in practice," Jackson said. "With Chris coming back (from a foot injury), with DJ (Mbenga) and Ronny (Turiaf) now we can mess around and play big guys out there at certain times, especially in this round in the playoffs when they (the Denver Nuggets) have (Kenyon) Martin and (Marcus) Camby."
Ailing big men
Jackson sent Turiaf home because of a sore throat. Turiaf, a backup forward/center, played only three minutes and scored just two points during the Lakers' victory over the Nuggets in Game 1 of their series Sunday.
"We'll probably wait and see," Jackson said when asked about Turiaf's status for today's practice and Game 2 on Wednesday. "I anticipate he'll be OK for Wednesday."
In addition, Mbenga crashed to the floor and suffered an unspecified rib injury while participating in a half-court scrimmage with teammates. Mbenga was taken to a nearby hospital for X-rays, according to team spokesman John Black.
Adjustments
Jackson wasn't pleased with the Lakers' defense in Game 1, particularly around the basket. Playing tighter defense was atop his to-do list for Monday's practice.
"We worked on just closing the lanes, trying to stop penetration, which seems to be what their special gift is," Jackson said of the Nuggets. "So it's about getting back on defense and getting the defense set. You have to anticipate that they're going to do what was successful against us.
"They were successful at drawing fouls and driving the ball to the basket. Those were the things they did well."
The Lakers outscored the Nuggets, 18-8, in the paint in the first quarter, but the teams finished tied at 60-all.
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