Bynum suffers rotator strain, expected to play

October 21st, 2009, 2:48 pm · 5 Comments · posted by JANIS CARR, OCREGISTER.COM

Two up, two down.

Just when Pau Gasol and Luke Walton were cleared to play, Andrew Bynum suffered a strained rotator cuff and rookie Tony Gaffney has a lower back contusion.

Gasol, who had a hamstring strain, and Walton, who had a sore lower back, missed four games, including Tuesday’s preseason victory against Golden State. Both are expected to play Thursday against Denver at the Honda Center.

Bynum apparently hurt his shoulder during Tuesday’s game in which he scored 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting, including a handful of dunks. He is, however, not expected to miss any games.

Gaffney hurt his back in a fall late in Tuesday’s game as he went up for a layup. He scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 4:47 of play.

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thechampishere says:

October 21, 2009 at 5:29 pm

If it ain’t one thing it’s another…

Will have to see how he performs tomorrow to be able to tell just how much it will effect his game.

Damn. Couldn’t even stay healthy until game 1 of the season.

J-Dizzle says:

October 22, 2009 at 2:32 pm

It’s a strain, it happens to everyone in the league. He’s not expected to miss any time so it’s a non issue. Worst comes to worst he might be in a little pain lifting his arm over his head but that’s probably a non issue anyway. Strains, spasms etc… it’s all part of the game. If something that small is going to get blown up, then let’s blow up the fact that Pau has missed 2 or 3 games as has Luke and Odom missed 2 games over a bruise.

Dan says:

October 22, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Lakers have enough talents to win regular season games, so let put this Big Potato Chip in the bag and then play him with about 30 games of the regular season games. With 30 games he should have enough time to get in game shape and contribute in the post season. Otherwise, I don’t see this guy stay injury free. I think the Lakers can win another title without him, but Lakers paid too much money for this dude to not have him contribute in the playoff. Bynum run his mouth like he is the real deal, but until he can prove to stay healthy then he should keep his mouth shut. Maybe trade this fool for Chris Bosh.

J-Dizzle says:

October 22, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Wow aren’t we a bit harsh there Danny boy? Did we forget how exactly Bynum got hurt? Let me refresh your memory. First knee injury came when he landed on Odom’s foot. EVERY SINGLE PLAYER IN THE NBA gets hurt when that happens. Be it a knee injury, rolling their ankle or some other injury but they all get hurt. It happens and it’s called a freak accident. Second time around, you had a certain #24 Kobe Bryant flying into the lane, gettin knocked around and all 220lbs of his frame landing quick and hard into Bynum’s other leg. Now, you have someone tackle your knees while you’re standing still and tell me how your knee feels after. Another freak accident. This little boo boo aint nothing. Everyone gets minor injuries and that’s what this one is. No different then a mild sprain, no different then a little tendinitis, none of it.

As far as running his mouth goes, Bynum doesn’t actually run his mouth. He’s probably one of the more low key down to earth guys on the Lakers. He doesn’t come out of the gate talking all badass like Stephen Jackson for instance. He tells you whats up, smiles and laughs a bit and is a bit reserved. One more thing, Bynum is also in game shape. If you haven’t been keeping up he’s gone through a pretty arduous training regimine during the offseason with his trainer in Atlanta, getting his legs and his knees strengthened up and working on alot of lower body stuff as well as getting his stamina there. If you haven’t been watching the pre-season, he’s moving around alot, he’s getting up and down the court quick, he’s playing 30+ minutes a game right now and he’s been dominant and explosive. Now, you really wanna trade a kid who’s turning 22 and can only get BETTER for someone who hasn’t improved in the last few years and has only been a steady contributor on points and rebounds and isn’t a great defender? Glad you aren’t the GM of the Lakers.
- Jon C says:
  
  October 22, 2009 at 11:31 pm
  
  Take off your purple-and-gold colored glasses and get some perspective. Bynum’s a punk and malcontent who whined to Phil Jackson for playing time. And he is constantly injured.
  
  Quit making excuses for the guy. He’s a bust. Not a gamer, not a good teammate, very selfish. Lakers should try to get something for him now before his next major injury.

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