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Ailing Bynum gets nod to start
Source: Agencies |
June 4, 2010, Friday
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LOS Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who had fluid removed from his troublesome right knee earlier this week, has been given the go-ahead to start Game 1 of the National Basketball Association finals today (Shanghai time).
The seven-foot Bynum, whose towering presence is greatly needed by the NBA champions against a Boston Celtics side renowned for its physical approach, took part in a limited practice session with his teammates on Wednesday.
Although a disappointed Bynum said all the fluid had since returned to his knee, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters the 22-year-old was ready for the best-of-seven series opener against the Celtics.
"He's fine," Jackson replied when asked how Bynum had shaped up on the Staples Center court in Los Angeles.
"Whether that (fluid removal) worked or not, it was a procedure that was tried, attempted. He's not a hundred percent but he's throwing himself in there. He'll do the job."
Bynum, who had his right knee heavily strapped while sitting next to Jackson after practice, had no plans to have further fluid drained before Game 1.
"I want to play," he said. "I don't want to miss the finals. I want to get through the whole playoffs.
"I want to be effective. I want to help my team. Everybody expects that.
Knee is the same
"The knee is the same as before it got drained, but I'm used to playing with the swelling in there.
"So I'm just going to go out there and play."
Bynum hyper-extended his right knee a month ago against the Oklahoma City Thunder and, though he continued to start for the Lakers, his effectiveness and playing time have been limited.
He has averaged 9.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in the postseason and will match up at center with Boston's Kendrick Perkins today.
While question marks remain over Bynum's fitness for the series, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he was not considering switching rotations or changing his game plan.
"We're not going to worry about whether he's healthy or not," Rivers said.
"Players tend to be healthy once the finals start no matter what their injury status is. We're viewing him as 100 percent and a factor in the series."
The seven-foot Bynum, whose towering presence is greatly needed by the NBA champions against a Boston Celtics side renowned for its physical approach, took part in a limited practice session with his teammates on Wednesday.
Although a disappointed Bynum said all the fluid had since returned to his knee, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters the 22-year-old was ready for the best-of-seven series opener against the Celtics.
"He's fine," Jackson replied when asked how Bynum had shaped up on the Staples Center court in Los Angeles.
"Whether that (fluid removal) worked or not, it was a procedure that was tried, attempted. He's not a hundred percent but he's throwing himself in there. He'll do the job."
Bynum, who had his right knee heavily strapped while sitting next to Jackson after practice, had no plans to have further fluid drained before Game 1.
"I want to play," he said. "I don't want to miss the finals. I want to get through the whole playoffs.
"I want to be effective. I want to help my team. Everybody expects that.
Knee is the same
"The knee is the same as before it got drained, but I'm used to playing with the swelling in there.
"So I'm just going to go out there and play."
Bynum hyper-extended his right knee a month ago against the Oklahoma City Thunder and, though he continued to start for the Lakers, his effectiveness and playing time have been limited.
He has averaged 9.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in the postseason and will match up at center with Boston's Kendrick Perkins today.
While question marks remain over Bynum's fitness for the series, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he was not considering switching rotations or changing his game plan.
"We're not going to worry about whether he's healthy or not," Rivers said.
"Players tend to be healthy once the finals start no matter what their injury status is. We're viewing him as 100 percent and a factor in the series."
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