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http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... 7813.story

As the Lakers wrapped up their final practice before Sunday's first-round playoff game against the Denver Nuggets, Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza sat together on a large medicine ball.

Sunday and throughout the first round, the injured pair figure to be sharing a spot on the bench.

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The odds of Bynum returning for the series from his knee injury were already small and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson ruled him out.

"I'd say it's fair to say that," Jackson said today.

As for Ariza, Jackson did not say the defensive-minded small forward was definitely out, but his chances of returning from a foot injury to face the Nuggets are slim.

"I'm not ruling out Trevor," Jackson said, later adding: "He's going to have to do some things, but this is a pretty long series and we have some games in between."

very nice news

Barkley says Lakers can't look past Nuggets???? This guy needs to find something else to do! Sometimes he's somewhat funny most of the time he's an idiot!

timebandit wrote:Barkley says Lakers can't look past Nuggets???? This guy needs to find something else to do! Sometimes he's somewhat funny most of the time he's an idiot!

umm they cant look past them...

well...they've been saying that for months now...for both bynum and ariza, that i've lost all hope for them coming back this season. we need to worry about how we're gonna win with this team rather than how we would win if we had bynum.

I doubt he'll come back. But if he did it would lift me, the team, all laker fans, the coaching staff all our spirits up.

some people on this board need to calm down and not take every game like were playing lottery teams..in fact...we always seem to have trouble against the bottom teams..

just saying

laker fans...lets stay humble

That would be nice if Ariza did come back for this series. Match-up wise we really need someone to check Carmello Anthony. Sorry, I don't think Vlade is the answer there...

good news

timebandit wrote:Barkley says Lakers can't look past Nuggets???? This guy needs to find something else to do! Sometimes he's somewhat funny most of the time he's an idiot!

EDIT* You don't look past a team with AI and Melo. They are going to win a game in this series. We just can't underestimate them.

This isn't like a 65 win 1st seed team against a 38 win 8th seed team.

This is a 57win team against a 50 win team.


Warning for insult

I'd rather not see Ariza come back until he's at least 90%.

Even then, he shouldn't get any minutes outside of injuries/blowout (+25).

From what I understand when you are in any type of sports wether you are good or Bad, You can not look past anyone.

Patterns wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


EDIT* You don't look past a team with AI and Melo. They are going to win a game in this series. We just can't underestimate them.

This isn't like a 65 win 1st seed team against a 38 win 8th seed team.

This is a 57win team against a 50 win team.


Warning for insult

I should insult you because I was just talking about Barkley so learn how to read. Can't beleave this guy is a Mod just because I called charles Barkley and idoit I get a freaking warning what a joke now I give you a warning don't laker hate!!!!!!!!

^:lol:

Becareful, Barkley's got pull outside of bball.

Verbal wrote:^:lol:

Becareful, Barkley's got pull outside of bball.

He's not really necessary as we have Radman and Walton (whos playing out of his mind right now). He should just focus on getting healthy and ready for next season, and Lakers management should focus on trading Radman or Walton.

As nice as it would sound if Ariza did come back in this series I dont think i will be worrying about it as much. Right now we are playing good offensive ball and our defense without Ariza in this series is better than Denvers over all. I would really like to see them both join the lakers just so that they can get a feel of the lakers squad and the playoffs. i still think we need to focus one game at a time right now to be sure to knock off the mcnuggets. They have the ability to score at will and well peeps like Kleiza can get hot and thats the last thing we need. Ariza and Bynum please come back healthy.

gmurray8 wrote:He's not really necessary as we have Radman and Walton (whos playing out of his mind right now). He should just focus on getting healthy and ready for next season, and Lakers management should focus on trading Radman or Walton.

there's always room for a guy who plays hard and is good on d

hermes wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

there's always room for a guy who plays hard and is good on d

Reminds me of Jamario Moon.

UPDATE ON Ariza

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8426

HOOPSWORLD has learned that Trevor Ariza of the Los Angeles Lakers was given partial clearance to the floor from his broken foot. A source close to the situation says a CT Scan on Friday showed enough improvement that Ariza has been green lit to participate in basketball drills and non-contact practices.

A follow-up scan in two weeks will determine if Ariza is ready for a full return.

While Ariza would obviously have preferred to be cleared completely after today's examination, it may have taken at least a week for the Laker forward to return to the lineup.

Assuming he gets a clean scan (around May 9th), he could be able to get back on the court in a matter of days.