After the Lakers' bench gave back almost all of a 19-point fourth quarter lead to the Clippers on Sunday -- something the group has done more than a few times this season -- it doesn't take a genius to tell you that they'll get a much-needed boost when Andrew Bynum returns to the court.Bynum's rehab has been going so well that he could be back as soon as this Thursday. But that boost to the bench unit won't come from him directly; it's likely to come in the form of Lamar Odom returning to run with the reserves.
According to Phil Jackson, when Bynum does come back, it will be as a starter.
"I kind of envision him going back as a starter again, just because he's got an injury that takes some activation still," said Jackson, who emphasized the need to keep Bynum warm after pregame warmups, "[to have] him active at the beginning . . . [for] a six- or seven-minute run in the early part. But we'll decide that when we get close to that."The Lakers' bench has been mostly terrible since Bynum went down, but that's largely because its two best players have since been moved into the starting lineup. First it was Lamar Odom to replace the injured Bynum, then it was Trevor Ariza to replace the ineffective Luke Walton.
It's really a no-brainer to start Bynum immediately when he returns. Jackson hasn't yet committed to sending Odom back to the bench, but since he was comfortable there earlier in the season and has the combination of defending, rebounding, and distributing the ball that the second unit has severely missed these last couple of months, it seems like the natural choice.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-06-2009 @ 3:33PM
hilryshaves said...
I can't wait until they get the big fella back. That knee should be good to go after all that extensive rehab at the Playboy mansion..
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4-06-2009 @ 3:42PM
Michael gifford said...
even though Lamar didn't like coming off the bench the Lakers were a much better team when he and Ariza both did. the second unit was terrific...plus...Lamar is inconsistent as a starter...3 or 4 games amazing then 8-10 average or below...that's why he's not a superstar...he has the gifts, just not the grit...and we'll see how appreciative Bynum is after the Lakers investment in his second injury...after all, at this point, he should be ecstatic he plays for a contender...
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4-06-2009 @ 7:54PM
Martin said...
The second unit was the Lakers' strong point at the beginning of the season, sometimes even bailing out the starters. But since Farmar's injury, he has not been very effective (lots of bad passes and a poor shooting percentage); Sasha has not been shooting as well as last year; and Walton does not play with the same athleticism as Ariza. Recently, the second unit has become a liability and will continue to be unless Farmar and Sasha start knocking down threes. Of course with Bynum back, the Laker interior defense goes back to being the best in the league.
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4-07-2009 @ 1:44AM
nabpdcop said...
Can somebody spell CHAMPIONSHIP........smile.
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4-12-2009 @ 8:30AM
shepardtrent said...
The Cavs can spell Championship...I do not think the Lakers can though...
4-07-2009 @ 12:59PM
youss said...
umm im very very happy that bynum is back,but i dont feel its fair to just remove lamer from being a started he had some terrific game. what i think should happen is that bynum goes off the bench for 1 2 3 4 games until he gets that feel for the game!!!!!
LAKERS NBA CHAMPOINS KOBE FINIALS MVP REGULAR SEASON MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!
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