Bynum could be back with Lakers soon

Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times

Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who hasn’t played since January, will make the upcoming two-game road trip with the Lakers, although whether he’ll play or not is undetermined.

Center will accompany team on upcoming trip. Gasol probably won’t play Sunday.

By Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
7:50 PM PDT, March 29, 2008

After gruesome home losses to Charlotte and Memphis, some mildly pleasant news awaited the Lakers on Saturday.

Pau Gasol participated in a brief scrimmage and Andrew Bynum was told by Coach Phil Jackson he would accompany the team on a two-game trip next week, though he wouldn’t necessarily play.

Bynum was doing “really well” in his recovery after working his way through some patellar tendinitis in his injured left knee, Jackson said.

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The Lakers recorded their best shooting percentage in more than 23 years when they went 47-of-72 from the floor (66.2 percent) Friday night in a 124-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

On Nov. 11, 1984, the Lakers shot 67.8 percent in a 130-108 victory over Houston.

“I enjoy these games because it helps build momentum,” Kobe Bryant said.
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Bryant wouldn’t go as far as to rescind the well-publicized trade demand he made in May. When asked if he no longer wanted the Lakers to trade him, he essentially gave a no comment, saying, “I don’t get into that stuff.”

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The same bout of the stomach flu sent teammate Andrew Bynum to the hospital, but Bryant refused similar treatment leading up to a game he knew his team had to win.

He simply shook off the nausea and queasy stomach, scoring 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter to set the tone in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 116-95 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

“Pretty Kobe-ish,” Lakers trainer Gary Vitti said.

Vitti may have invented a new word there, but it was pretty “Kobe-ish” indeed.

“It’s tough, but as the leader of this ball club you have to come out and play through that,” Bryant said. “Set the tone early, and I was able to do that.”

Trevor Ariza added 15 points and five rebounds, and Bryant also had five assists for the Lakers, who dropped Minnesota to an NBA worst 2-14.

“How are you going to tell if he’s got the flu?” acting Wolves head coach Jerry Sichting said. “He’s a lot like Jordan. It doesn’t matter with guys like that. He made ME sick.”

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But one month into 2007-08 season, it appears general manager Mitch Kupchak, in refusing to part with Bynum for Kidd at last season’s trade deadline, may not have been as incompetent as Bryant suggested he was in the same video.

In his third NBA season, Bynum, who turned 20 in October, is more than holding his own against men a decade older. Following Tuesday’s victory against the Sonics, Bynum was averaging 11.1 points on 58.5 percent shooting, 10.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game.

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Jackson met Wednesday with Jerry Buss and informed the Lakers owner of his decision.

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Rookie Kevin Durant had 25 points for the Sonics, who are league-worst 2-13 in their first season under coach P.J. Carlesimo — matching the poorest start in franchise history. They began their inaugural 1967-68 season 2-14 under Al Bianchi. Seattle has lost 14 consecutive games against Western Conference teams, including five last season.

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