Article on Andrew Bynum? True/False

[MAMBAEMD]

I can't wait to see 7&7 play together.
I hope he'll play this year but won't be surprised if he doesn't.

[djericho]

I doubt it's true. It's a risky gamble to leave a main cog out of the system. Save him for the WCF? there's no guarantee we make it. Why not put all your weapons in your Coaches' hands and let him figure it out.Even bringing Bynum off the bench to slowly work him back into the system would seem more of a reality.

Off topic, Spurs just seem really old. I think Hornets get to the WCF, I know no guarantees but just sayin their defense looks like it has holes.

[Sedale Threatt]

Spurs seem old? Maybe their supporting cast, but as long as they have Duncan, Parker and Ginobili playing close to full speed, they're going to be a tough, tough out. I'd be willing to bet anything I own that they'll take one of the first two games in NO and win in six relatively comfortable games.

At any rate, I agree with the rest of your post. It makes absolutely no sense sit a key player like Bynum in the name of subterfuge. It's not like none of these teams don't have any game film. They've all played against Andrew, and they all know what he's capable of.

I understand that the addition of Gasol adds a new dimension to the equation. But again, this isn't high school. We're dealing with intelligent coaches with sophisticated scouting tools at their disposal, and keeping Bynum under wraps will prove nothing but a minor inconvenience to their preparation.

I'd absolutely love to be wrong, but most of this smacks of wishful thinking to me. I'll believe Andrew is healthy and ready to play the moment I see him back in uniform and out on the court. Not a minute before.

[Dexmor]

If this is true it is amazing news. I think they would sweep the Jazz with Bynum and beat the Spurs or Hornets in 6 games. I know they will beat the Eastern conference team.

[blix]

Although definitely a risk, it does make some sense.....but it's a grassy knoll theory.

Think about it - there's no tape of them playing together in a real game......none. Everyone knows that a healthy Laker team, coached by PJ with KB, PG, LO, AB and DF would be deadly......but they don't know exactly how. In the triangle with the versatility of that lineup - we could throw so many different looks out there. Speed, halfcourt, 3-point shooters, defense - but again, there's no film. How can you gameplan for something you've never seen.

Hypothetically - if we rolled it out for the 1st time in the finals against the Celtics or Pistons - I believe Doc Rivers or Flip would be in tears.

[blix]

Spurs seem old? Maybe their supporting cast, but as long as they have Duncan, Parker and Ginobili playing close to full speed, they're going to be a tough, tough out. I'd be willing to bet anything I own that they'll take one of the first two games in NO and win in six relatively comfortable games.

At any rate, I agree with the rest of your post. It makes absolutely no sense sit a key player like Bynum in the name of subterfuge. It's not like none of these teams don't have any game film. They've all played against Andrew, and they all know what he's capable of.

I understand that the addition of Gasol adds a new dimension to the equation. But again, this isn't high school. We're dealing with intelligent coaches with sophisticated scouting tools at their disposal, and keeping Bynum under wraps will prove nothing but a minor inconvenience to their preparation.

I'd absolutely love to be wrong, but most of this smacks of wishful thinking to me. I'll believe Andrew is healthy and ready to play the moment I see him back in uniform and out on the court. Not a minute before.

I didn't read this before I posted....but I tend to disagree. Yes there are smart coaches but you typically gameplan for a team, especially in the post season.

[Kilroy]

I've been thinking that hinting that Bynum could come back 100% could be just as much of a ploy...

Is he or isn't he type questions could be usefull too...

So I don't know if there's any way to predict what happens untill it does...

I think he's coming back... I'd be shocked if he came back 100%...

But it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's done for the season.

There's just no way to tell...

I've always thought though, that the whole trip to NY to talk to "His" doctor seemed like a way for the Laker's Organization to protect itself from any backlash from keeping him out intentionally.

[Joe Kleazy]

At this point I have programmed myself not to look for bynum until he is in the line-up, but the article says that they were holding him out as a precaution meaning to me that he is better but not fully 100% whether that be due to being in game shape or dealing with the mental side of recovery.

As long as it has been since the injury it would not be out of the question. Had there been no concerns I'm sure he would be playing. I doubt they are waiting until we match up with a particular team, just not taking a chance on messing with the current chemistry for a 75-80% player who will be the future of the franchise at some point.

Realisticly it hasn't bit us in the azz yet since we just swept the first round and if bynum is secretly practicing with the team he will be working on joining the chemistry, working out his body, learning to play with Pau, and getting over the mental adjustments all at once.

If we get out to a good start against utah I wouldn't be surprised if they continued to work him out unless they feel that during this series he is full ready to go. At that point its not a matter of us matching up with anybody its the other teams matching up with us.

[daddyfivestar]

Unless he is just playing in the media, Rambis last week Bynum is not 80% and not ready to fully practice.
But if NO does move on, a big shot blocking presence would be dynomite. Oh wait, we have DJ Mblockya too for six good fouls.

[Dexmor]

I've been saying this for the longest time even before the playoffs started: Andrew is 100% ok and is actually ready to play. I won't say where and how I got the info (you know how so many people have already gotten in trouble by posting on message boards)

I'll put it this way-- think about it as "catching the opposition off guard".

There.

That is completely nuts because if he was 100% healthy they would play him. They can't count on winning without him. What if they did that and lost? What if the Jazz beat them or if the Nuggs stole the first game and then won 2 at home and we were down 3-1? They couldn't count on a win or a sweep. The Hawks beat the Celtics twice and the Sixers did the same vs Pistons. Lets say they were down 3-1 and brought him back and Iverson had a 50 point game and they won then what.
They wouldn't do it as a secret weapon because it's to much to risk.
The only thing they could be doing is not playing him if he is ready but not 100% so they don't want to rush him. There is no way he is 100% and they are just being safe and waiting extra and they are going to wait for the WCF and just assuming they will beat the Jazz to give him extra rest.
The only way he is able to play and he isn't is if he is 75% or something and they don't want to risk furthur injury.
If you believe they are using him as a secret weapon or he is 100% and there not using him your in serious denial.

[Dexmor]

It also doesn't make sence. If he is very close to 100% the best strategy wouldn't be to surprise teams with his presence because that would work for what 1 game? The best stratagy would be to get him in game shape and have him develop chemistry with Gasol while playing the Jazz over playing in the WCF or the finals.

[Sedale Threatt]

-= original quote snipped =-
I didn't read this before I posted....but I tend to disagree. Yes there are smart coaches but you typically gameplan for a team, especially in the post season.

If this were a Super Bowl, which is a one-shot deal, then I'd agree.

But gameplanning in basketball isn't nearly as important as it is in a sport like football, which has four times as many individual matchups and is infinitely more complex.

But in the NBA, where games are so much more fluid, and there's so much less time to prepare, I think the advantage of sitting Bynum out for a tactical advantage is virtually nil. I just don't see how it's going to throw somebody like Gregg Popovich off, at least not over the course of an entire series.

The bottom line is, I just don't see how the benefits of sitting a key player out for strategic advantage can possibly outweigh the risks of not using him to win the series at hand.

[blix]

-= original quote snipped =-



If this were a Super Bowl, which is a one-shot deal, then I'd agree.

But gameplanning in basketball isn't nearly as important as it is in a sport like football, which has four times as many individual matchups and is infinitely more complex.

But in the NBA, where games are so much more fluid, and there's so much less time to prepare, I think the advantage of sitting Bynum out for a tactical advantage is virtually nil. I just don't see how it's going to throw somebody like Gregg Popovich off, at least not over the course of an entire series.

The bottom line is, I just don't see how the benefits of sitting a key player out for strategic advantage can possibly outweigh the risks of not using him to win the series at hand.

I agree that Pop is too smart to have a huge effect....but a small advantage is still an advantage. Don't get me wrong....I still think this is a grassy knoll theory...but with a team as experienced and flat out as talented as SA I'll take anything I can to throw them off.

Super Bowl was a great analogy vs 7 games by the way.

[The Laker Kid]

It doesn't take a genius to figure it out:

Phil Jackson = Master of mind games
Lakers = Perhaps THE most secretive organization in the NBA; I mean who knew that the Pau Gasol trade was coming?

[Triangle Theory]

Just heard on sportscenter that Bynum himself stated today that he doubts he will be able to return this postseason for us. No link or anything of course, but it will be more touched on most likely.

[TommyTheCat]

Just heard on sportscenter that Bynum himself stated today that he doubts he will be able to return this postseason for us. No link or anything of course, but it will be more touched on most likely.

sedition posted a link to the same info in a latimes article (i believe)

check the injury update thread

[Sedale Threatt]

It doesn't take a genius to figure it out:

Phil Jackson = Master of mind games
Lakers = Perhaps THE most secretive organization in the NBA; I mean who knew that the Pau Gasol trade was coming?

You were saying?

[daddyfivestar]

I'll have to take "false" for the block Peter.

[gkonstantas]

It doesn't take a genius to figure it out:

Phil Jackson = Master of mind games
Lakers = Perhaps THE most secretive organization in the NBA; I mean who knew that the Pau Gasol trade was coming?

Stern did. Before even the Lakers.