Bynum Out Two Months (Paging C-Webb)

The results are in, and while they aren't pretty, they could have been much worse:

After MRI tests and an examination by team doctor Steve Lombardo of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group earlier today, it has been determined that Lakers center Andrew Bynum suffered a subluxation of the patella and a bone bruise of his left knee in last night's game. Bynum is expected to be out a minimum of eight weeks. Bynum is expected to make a full recovery.

If eight weeks sounds like a long time, well, it's because it is. But still, if he stays on schedule, he could return by the middle of March, which would give him a solid six weeks to get into a groove before the playoffs. But how will the Lakers fill Bynum's sizable void (13 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg) in the meantime? Random, completely unsubstantiated prediction time: by signing Chris Webber.

Think about it. Webber just put it out there last night that he expects to return to the court soon, and while he couldn't possibly have known that Bynum would conveniently go down, he wouldn't be a horrible stopgap. He's an excellent passer and could be an excellent fit in the Triangle Offense. He obviously won't make up all the difference on the boards, but he's the best big man available without making a trade.

Plus, the Lakers have emerged as a legitimate title contender (they're just a half game out of the top seed in the West), which is most likely one of C-Webb's criteria for picking a team. Whether they'll remain one with Bynum on the sidelines remains to be seen, but they have at least some cushion in the standings and Webber probably believes he could keep them afloat.

Previously on FanHouse:
Bynum Hurt, LA Stops Breathing
C-Webb Says He'll Be Back in Two Weeks

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-01-2008 @ 12:30AM

NachoD said...

I don't hear anyone mentioning any other players that are available that have bonified NBA experience that can help the Lakers in this time of need.

It doesn't matter that C-Webb has slowed down, can't keep up with the up tempo offense of the Lakers and is not playing on a team right now. He still is the only experienced big man available. Besides, it's not like the Lakers are always running. A lot of the points that Bynum got before he got hurt were put backs off of offensive rebounds and lobs within the framework of their half court offense.

Webber may not have the "hops" that the younger Bynum does but I know he has the hands and intelligence to set himself up for a lot of these same types of offensive opportunities.

Well, what are you waiting for Mitch? Let's go get him!

1-14-2008 @ 5:54PM

cooperstowne said...

Makes sense, I think I remember CWebb saying he'd always wanted to play for the Lakers. He'd have a bigger role in LA than in Detroit, Dallas or Boston too (at least until Bynum returns).

1-14-2008 @ 5:57PM

sarah said...

how are the lakers a legit title contender when 6 teams have similar records to theirs, and oh yeah, aren't missing their best post player from injury?

utah and houston are playing better lately. the hornets have the same exact wins. and dallas has been playing the best basketball of all those teams in terms of winning. the lakers aren't title contenders. they are a low seed after bynum is out for 2 months. plus it takes time to get back in shape. its a minimum of 8 weeks. he could be out longer!

webb is done! you could see it in the playoffs. he couldn't run with the pistons, who are a much slower team than the lakers!

1-14-2008 @ 6:00PM

cwebb couldn't keep up with the pistons in the playoffs, who happen to be a much slower paced team than the lakers. he looked done last postseason.

the lakers aren't title contenders, and they aren't without bynum. they barely beat the grizzlies without him in the 4th quarter. they struggle when he's not in the game. add to the fact that the suns, hornets, mavs and spurs have similar records. plus the blazers look for real. and houston is playing great without tmac.

1-14-2008 @ 6:01PM

the lakers aren't title contenders, and they aren't without bynum. they barely beat the grizzlies without him in the 4th quarter. they struggle when he's not in the game. add to the fact that the suns, hornets, mavs and spurs have similar records. plus the blazers look for real. and houston is playing great without tmac.

1-14-2008 @ 6:04PM

cwebb couldn't keep up with the pistons in the playoffs, who happen to be a much slower paced team than the lakers. he looked done last postseason.
it will game bynum time to get back in shape. it the papers state he will be out a minimum of 8 weeks, meaning he could be out longer. the best the lakers will get is a low seed, considering other teams in the west are playing great as well. all this lakers love, the hornets have the same amount of wins too!

1-14-2008 @ 6:05PM

the best the lakers will get is a low seed, considering other teams in the west are playing great as well. all this lakers love, the hornets have the same amount of wins too!

1-14-2008 @ 6:07PM

Jaqiboy said...

The "little people" are sad and unhappy. How sad.

But, wait, there is a Giant who now lives in valley of the sun, and his name is "Bynum" and he has friends. Happy friends.

Watch out little people, you're about to get stomped on.

Posted at 8:21PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Richard Weissfeld

Now who is the little people Weissfeld you moron? LOL

1-14-2008 @ 6:15PM

Martin said...

The Lakers would be better off playing Turiaf at center and using their team speed and quickness. Even though he's on the small side, there aren't a lot of true centers in the league anymore, and the Lakers could get away with it against a lot of teams. Turiaf, Ariza and Odom would make a tough, aggressive front-court.

1-14-2008 @ 8:33PM

Richard Weissfeld said...

Let us pray:

"Oh Lord of the Roundball, you are a harsh and cruel God, but we still love you.

You've taken our young redeemer and saviour away (for two months) and we will miss him terribly. But we stil have the greatest f*ckin player on the planet and we will, with strong heart and a big Kwame, take the battle to the "little ones" and beat them with our young, swift feet. The desert dwellers are not only small, but, old and argumentative. "

Come on you Band of Brothers, let's kick some Sonic ass for Drew!

1-14-2008 @ 8:40PM

"....and Lord, I forgot, those small desert dwellers are really, really stupid, too."

1-14-2008 @ 9:00PM

Matt said...

Your a complete idiot who obviously down;t know basketball. C-Webb is one of the spftest power forwards in the league. He is more of a point forward then power forward. The lakers just lost a CENTER you idiot. Not some old past his prime soft forward who's game is facing the basket from 18 feet away. Might was well suggest Steve Francis he's as close to being a center as Webber is you IDIOT!

1-14-2008 @ 9:21PM

LB said...

He would help them a lot. He has playoff experience and can still score. He would be the best big man they would have until Bynum gets back. He average 11 points 7 boards and 3 assists in 29 minutes of play on a good team last season. In 05/06 he averaged 20 points and 10 boards a game. He is by far the best player they could get at this point in the season.

Matt you don't know basketball. (based on your remarks) Chris Webber is a Power Forward that likes to play at the high post. A point forward would run the offense like scottie pippen did for the Bulls.

1-14-2008 @ 10:22PM

LB:

You show little you know. C Wbb is not a post up player. He is not a cente rlike Bynum. He is a guy who use dto have little man skills in a big body, but C Webb never liked physical play. His best offensive move isn't a move at all. It is a spot up 18 footer. he can not create his own shot and lastly. IF HE HAD TALENT STILL HE PLAYING!!!! LB your a fu@!#@!#ing IDIOT with no basketball knowledge.

1-15-2008 @ 1:33AM

Matt
You really don't understand basketball. There are no good post up players out there left. I notice that you haven't named a player they should sign. This is the NBA dummy. You can only pick people who are not on a team right now.

You also don't understand teams today don't always have traditional post-up centers in the game all the time. Some teams don't have any post up centers at all. So you have to get the best big men you can find and he is it. So who would you pick???

Webber has 8,000 rebounds in his career at a 10 a game clip. So he can handle the physical play. He will be playing for someone real soon.

Try watching ESPN they can teach you a lot. I don't have time to tutor you.

1-15-2008 @ 5:21AM

nickstoli said...

Imagine Webber, Odom, and Brown on the same team. Can they make Benoit Benjamin an honorary coach? You talk about a Dream Underacheiving Team.

1-15-2008 @ 6:45AM

matt said...

I wouldn't call Webber an underachiever...the man averaged 20 and 10 for a career, plus 4 assists, 1.5 blocks and steals apiece...ask any team if they would spend a no 1 pick on that and I bet they'd jump

With that said, the many had the talent to be one of the top 5 players of all time...i guess in that regard he could be a disappointment...but should never be mentioned in the same sentence as Kwame

also, I want to differentiate myself from the other matt

1-15-2008 @ 3:25PM

g said...

cwebb is a liability at best...and definitely not someone you need in the locker room, he's not known for generating either leadership or team chemistry in addition to producing not much