Related News
Home » Sports » Basketball
Ailing Bynum given green light to start finals
Source: Agencies |
June 3, 2010, Thursday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
Ailing Bynum given green light to start finals
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 today's Game One of the NBA Finals.
The seven-foot Bynum, whose towering presence is greatly needed by the NBA champions against Boston Celtics opponents renowned for their physical approach, took part in a limited practice session with his team mates yesterday.
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.
"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 One.
"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.
"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 post-season and will match up at center with Boston's Kendrick Perkins on Thursday.
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."
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 today's Game One of the NBA Finals.
The seven-foot Bynum, whose towering presence is greatly needed by the NBA champions against Boston Celtics opponents renowned for their physical approach, took part in a limited practice session with his team mates yesterday.
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.
"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 One.
"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.
"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 post-season and will match up at center with Boston's Kendrick Perkins on Thursday.
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."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
