Bynum's Return Eminent... Should He Start in The Playoffs??

Lakers' Bynum says he hopes tonight is the night
By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer
Updated: 04/08/2009 11:07:57 PM PDT

Officially, the Lakers declined to say whether Andrew Bynum would play tonight against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center.

Unofficially, two Lakers insiders gave conflicting statements when asked about Bynum's participation.

"Oh, yeah, he's playing," one said Wednesday afternoon.

"No, Andrew told me he will not play," another said. "Maybe on Sunday."

Bynum, who has been sidelined since Jan. 31 because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, said he hoped to play tonight. He said he wanted to play against the Nuggets, and that he was ready to play.

"I think (tonight) is possible," he said.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said a decision hadn't been made and probably wouldn't be made until this morning. Jackson

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certainly made it sound as if Bynum would play unless he suffered a setback in the form of pain or swelling in his knee.

"He feels pretty good," Jackson said. "We're pleased with his progress. I don't know how much more he can get out of the activity level he's doing right now. He's got to get to playing here pretty soon."

Bynum certainly looked as if he was ready to play again during a scrimmage Wednesday. Matched against fellow 7-footer DJ Mbenga, Bynum moved freely. The only hint of his injury was the heavy black brace on his right knee.

Bynum checked Mbenga in the low post on one possession, then sprinted to the other end after the shot missed the mark. Bynum caught a pass from a teammate and banked home a jump shot.

"I want
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to get out there and play," he said after the workout ended. "I feel like I'm ready to get out there and get as much game experienced as I can. I'm ready to play (tonight). I want to get out there and do well."

If he doesn't play tonight, there will be three more chances for Bynum to play before the playoffs begin. The Lakers play the Trail Blazers on Friday in Portland before returning home to play Memphis on Sunday and Utah on Tuesday.

Bynum has been sidelined for 32 games since teammate Kobe Bryant tumbled into his leg after missing a driving layup late in the first half of the Lakers' victory Jan. 31 over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Last season, Bynum suffered a left kneecap injury Jan.13 against Memphis and did not return to the active roster. He underwent surgery in May and missed the playoffs, including the NBA Finals.

Great expectations

Jackson said he was undecided on whether to start Bynum or play him in a reserve role when he does return to the active roster. Jackson isn't concerned about Bynum meshing with his teammates, however.

"I think he has the ability ... to feel his way along," Jackson said. "We expect a little hitch in our game, but it may not be that at all. He may just go back in there (and play well). We'll see how it goes."