When, Exactly, Is Bynum Returning This Season?
That’s the question on every Laker fan’s mind these days. And perhaps, the question should be: Should the Lakers bring Andrew Bynum back this season?
For what it’s worth, unless he’s absolutely 100% ready to roll, I’m of the opinion that he should sit out the rest of the year, and return next season with a vengeance.
And don’t get me wrong: As a Laker fan, I want to win a title as badly as anyone, but hopefully the pressure to get a ring this season won’t overshadow what’s really important: Andrew’s long-term health (and the team’s future.)
The reality of the matter, though, is that he’s probably returning to the court sometime next month, and he’ll have very little time to get himself adjusted to a radically different team from the one he left in mid-January.
“That’s still perhaps a month away, maybe, whatever,” Phil Jackson said when asked about the team adapting to Bynum’s return.”
“When we put him on the court, it’s going to be in relief to start with. He’s going to come off the bench and play a secondary role, probably, to start with. And then as he gets a couple games where it looks like he can sustain the effort and his conditioning improves, then we’ll work on how it fits together. Now, if this is in the playoffs, it’s almost impossible to do that because you don’t want to break up the chemistry. It’s going to be handled just the right way.”
Phil is often called the best coach doing it; here’s his chance to remind us again why that is so.
31 Responses to “When, Exactly, Is Bynum Returning This Season?”
Mar.10 at 10:33 am
BETCATS says:
NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVER
Mar.10 at 10:39 am
jay says:
sounds good on paper but i say bynum is worked in slow and as long as la does not have mental lapses like last night we should be fine..i hope kobe’s pinky holds up though!
Mar.10 at 10:44 am
TADOne says:
Sit out, young man.
Mar.10 at 10:52 am
riggs says:
yeah i can see bynum being worked in slowly.
Mar.10 at 10:55 am
Sesa says:
I also can see that somehow Bynum felt left out. Hopefully he doesn’t lost that hunger to win.
Mar.10 at 11:26 am
Kadavour says:
I’m for whatever safeguards the kid’s health, even if it means sitting out this season.
Mar.10 at 11:32 am
When, Exactly, Is Bynum Returning This Season? · SmokeSignalz says:
[…] The Blemish - Better than a slap to the face wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt by Marcel Mutoni That’s the question on every Laker fan’s mind these days. And perhaps, the question should be: Should the Lakers bring Andrew Bynum back this season? For what it’s worth, unless he’s absolutely 100% ready to roll, I’m of the opinion that he should sit out the rest of the year, and return next season with a vengeance. And don’t get me wrong: As a Laker fan, I want to win a title as badly as anyone, but hopefully the pressure to get a ring this season won’t overshadow what’s r […]
Mar.10 at 11:34 am
Eboy says:
Stay healthy, Big Youngster.
Mar.10 at 11:46 am
Cub Buenning says:
They don’t need him right now–they COULD win a ‘chip with their current line-up. Let him sit, work him back in during training camp. That way, we can also stop hearing that ridiculous “just wait until Bynum comes back” line.
Mar.10 at 11:47 am
Cub Buenning says:
He might just “get in the way” this year.
Mar.10 at 12:10 pm
candian says:
If his health isn’t a concern I think he’ll be great coming off the bench for the playoffs. If he has a shred of intelligence he shouldn’t be concerned about a reduced roll.
Mar.10 at 12:22 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Bynum is being looked to as the defensive savior.
Mar.10 at 1:08 pm
Captain America says:
Gee, let’s just hope the Lakers don’t have to face the Kings in the playoffs.
Mar.10 at 1:20 pm
dma says:
damned if they do damned if they dont. if bynum sits out, he’ll be blamed for the lakers’ losses. if he comes back, he’ll be blamed for disrupting the chemistry. tough situation. i blame kobe.
Mar.10 at 1:55 pm
TADOne says:
Just wait until Bynum comes back
Mar.10 at 2:03 pm
People's Princess says:
The young’un can sit this one out..but here’s an interesting thought..why not cut the Son Of George off and take Cuppycake off waivers..It’s a low-risk move..And if Kobe can’t light a fire under his a**,no one can..
Mar.10 at 2:15 pm
what says:
Chill out, go to quiznos, enjoy your offseason, and come back next year Andrew. I’ll make sure i draft you in the 3rd round in my fantasy league.
Mar.10 at 3:40 pm
riggs says:
what if the lakers get taken out early? then all im going to hear is “we shoulda bought bynum back”
Mar.10 at 3:54 pm
trick says:
^ damn right. They shouold give all the time he needs though. The Lakers will still be a big contender next year so why rush??
Mar.10 at 4:12 pm
Michael says:
I say that if and when he does come back, he should be Paus Backup. Earlier in the season when the Lakers had Bynum and Farmer coming off the bench together, the bench was basically carrying them to wins a lot of the time, then the Lakers would have the most lethal bench by a mile.
Mar.10 at 7:26 pm
Jukai says:
I say keep bringing him off the bench, play him slow. The starting line-up is doing SO WELL, that Bynum off the bench would just be better.
Mar.10 at 7:51 pm
Dacre says:
Nah, Bynum has been “worked in slow” his whole NBA career - Get him out there earning that damn cheque.
Mar.10 at 10:37 pm
matt says:
to every1 saying the lakers hav next year as well arent necessarily right… who knows wot happens next year.. mayb kobe goes down, or somthin else happens, u gotta take ur chances when they com.. n with bynum bak LAs chance is now
Mar.10 at 10:52 pm
darren says:
I think Bynum is the most lethal big man the league could have. He is unstoppable in the post and can postarize any big man. His vertical reach is dominant which makes him a great shot blocker and rebounding machine. I think he should DEFINITELY return this season and be a part of this years championship team. The Lakers need Bynum to win a ring and i want to see him on the floor as equally as Gasol since im my opinion he is more dominant under the rim. Bynum and KObe first along with Gasol will win the Lakers a championship. Soo definitely he should return this season too show that the Lakers are noo joke and unstoppable in the west.
Mar.11 at 2:08 am
hursty says:
why wasnt holly on this? bring him back, it’ll be alright. he’s young. if this was in 10 years from now. then no.
Mar.11 at 3:03 am
T Money says:
Who is this Andrew Bynum you speak of?
Mar.11 at 6:48 am
andrew says:
If he doesnt come back so be it.. he put in a solid half a season this year and itz very much appreciated..the thing about a team is its not just the 5 out on the court.. itz everyone from kobe to coby karl so you cant blame one man for the wins n losses.. itz a team effort KOBE 4 MVP
Mar.11 at 3:20 pm
Braine Mabiala says:
i think dat he should at least come back in the beginning of april just to practice with the team but not play just to get him ready for the first round of the playoffs…………
Mar.11 at 3:21 pm
Braine Mabiala says:
i think dat he should at least come back in the beginning of april just to practice with the team but not play just to get him ready for the first round of the playoffs………… i would like to play for the lakers in the future.i’m only 12.and i know about basketball…..
Mar.11 at 3:33 pm
shady says:
I hope grant hill will be better
Apr.30 at 6:28 am
ROSCO says:
I say he comes back at all this season which looks very doubtful he should come off the bench for a game or two and if the starting lineup does well and Bynum lifts the bench leave it as is until next year but if not insert him immediately into the starting rotation. Phil Jackson understands team chemistry and knows how to get the best out of a team that wants to win so he will call it right. I want to add this… If LA gets past the next round of playoffs they will need Bynum to beat San Antonio. San Antonio are now in full form and LA has not seen them playing like this during the regular season. Denver gave the series to LA. The played like amatuers and acted like 12 yr olds playing rec. ball. LA wake up and play hard every minute or else you will find yourself with a fishing pole hanging out with EJ, KENNY and CHARLES doing halftime reports for the Finals!!!!!!