Bynum could be ready by Thanksgiving

[ChosenOne]

LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Gobble gobble, Bynum could be ready by Thanksgiving

 

With all the euphoria over the Lakers' 5-0 start, it's easy to forget the two-time defending NBA champions are playing without a key component to last year's team.

 

But if it's possible to actually hide a 7-foot, 285-pound human being the Lakers have pulled it off with their near-flawless play thus far.

 

But that might be changing pretty soon.

 

Andrew Bynum is closing in on a return date from offseason knee surgery and should be cleared to resume full basketball activities by the end of next week, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

 

The sixth-year center has been doing hard running on a treadmill to build up stamina and strengthen his knee, and the next step is getting back on the court.

 

"It looks like he's about ready to do 100 percent, load-bearing activity," Jackson said. "Which we think puts him back on the court at the end of next week."

 

Assuming things go well from that point, Bynum could be playing games by Thanksgiving.

 

Long range, Jackson anticipated Bynum working his way back into the starting lineup at center, Pau Gasol moving back to power forward and Lamar Odom returning to the bench.

 

"Then we'll be in the rotation we want and have the back-up situations the way we want them," Jackson said. "(Bynum, Gasol and Odom) will split minutes, which puts them in the 30-minute range.

 

"That gives them a sense of being able to rest and play and not wear themselves out in an 82-game season."

 

Odom is off to a strong start, but Jackson still wants the versatile forward coming off the bench.

 

"I think it's best for the team," Jackson said. "And being a team player he understands that."

 

DailyNews

 

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