Phil Jackson says Andrew Bynum is showing some improvement
The Lakers will take whatever good news they can get regarding center Andrew Bynum.
A day after Bynum said he still was in pain because of a strained left Achilles’ tendon, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said Sunday that Bynum showed some improvement.
“The best thing that I heard today was the fact that he felt better from day one to day two,” Jackson said.
Bynum, who was injured Friday against Minnesota, is expected to miss at least five more games after sitting out Sunday night’s game against the Washington Wizards. He could be out at least two weeks.
Bynum, who had an MRI exam Saturday, said he would be reevaluated when the Lakers return home from an eight-day, five-city trip that ends March 31.
He will travel with the team.
“It’s not a ruptured Achilles,” Jackson said. “It’s a strain. We don’t know exactly how this therapy is going to come out. We’re going to take him on the road with us in hopes that he can get back on [track].”
Meanwhile, Bynum won’t be able to do much to keep his conditioning up to par.
Bynum hopes to return April 2. The playoffs start two weeks later.
Jackson said Bynum’s condition probably would suffer.
“That’ll be the tough thing because Achilles’ and leg injuries are something that you can’t stay in great shape,” Jackson said. “You’ve got to run in a wetsuit, therapy pool. Those are the type of things to even get cardiovascular. Then taking off and landing and certainly power moves that you have to make strong moves from, that’s something that he’s going to have to adjust to. So that’s going to be a little bit of an issue for him.”
Time for Odom to go right
Maybe, just maybe, some good will come out of Lamar Odom having a sore left shoulder that has hindered him for almost a month.
Odom, who is starting at power forward with Bynum sidelined, is left-handed and is dominant in his use of that hand.
Even if Odom drives to his right, he frequently goes back to his left.
After Saturday’s practice, Odom said he doesn’t expect to shoot or rebound well because his shoulder bothers him so much.
“I told Lamar this is one great reason for him to use his right hand,” Jackson said, smiling. “Because now with everybody whacking away at his left arm, it not only brings pain, but also duration of numbness.”
Does Jackson think it will work?
“I don’t know,” Jackson responded. “We’ll see.”
Mbenga in the mix
There will be games when the Lakers will call on backup center DJ Mbenga to fill the void left by Bynum’s absence.
Jackson said Mbenga, who was averaging just 6.7 minutes, 1.9 points and 1.8 rebounds entering Sunday night’s game, will have opportunities to play.
Jackson said Mbenga can’t play more than 15 to 20 minutes because of his conditioning.
But when Mbenga does play, Jackson wants him to block shots, rebound and stay out of foul trouble.
As for Mbenga, who has become a fan-favorite, he’s “not excited” about the opportunity.
“If I’m excited, that means I’m waiting for Andrew to get hurt,” Mbenga said. “It’s not exciting to hear. I want him here to win a championship. I’ll just be ready when Coach Jackson calls my name. I will do my job.”
Mbenga played 2 1/2 minutes Sunday and did not score.
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