Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum might undergo exploratory
arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee if there is no
significant improvement in the next three to four weeks.
Lakers spokesman John Black said Bynum was examined Wednesday by Dr.
Steven Gecha in Princeton, N.J. Black said the team was told there had
been some improvement in the 20-year-old center’s knee, but Gecha’s
recommendation was exploratory surgery if there wasn’t more in the
upcoming weeks. [ESPN]
Sure, it's an unfortunate situation... but it's for the better. That's already been discussed here.
Regardless of the news, I'm still hearing "Just wait until they get Andrew back. They're going to sweep through the playoffs." Well, as of now, they are sweeping through the playoffs, and looking rather good doing so.
Some good news on the defensive front: Trevor Ariza was cleared to play on April, 27.
"A week from now, I can start doing a little bit of contact. And then a week later I can start playing." Theoretically, this means that Trevor should be good to go as soon as Sunday's game four, however reports earlier this week were hinting towards something sooner.
And, just a reminder: (Lakers up 2-0)
Game Three Friday - 5/9 Lakers @ Jazz 6:00pm - ESPN/KCAL
Game Four Sunday - 5/11 Lakers @ Jazz 12:30pm - ABC
*Game Five Wednesday - 5/14 Jazz @ Lakers TBD - TNT
*Game Six Friday - 5/16 Lakers @ Jazz TBD - ESPN/KCAL
*Game Seven Monday - 5/19 Jazz @ Lakers TBD - TNT
A couple of reasons for Lakers fans to breath a little bit easier going into EnergySolutions Arena where the Jazz had a 37-4 record: In their last meeting in Utah, the Lakers snapped a 19-game home winning streak with a 106-95 victory, anchored by Kobe's 27, and Lamar's 21 and 12. The Lakers are 3-1 in the season series. All four games were played without Pau Gasol in the lineup. Also, if the first round means anything, despite winning games one and two in Houston, the Jazz lost game three at home by two.
Well, here's my take on Bynum (I hope it's not getting old).
Jan. 13 Temporary subluxation/dislocation of the patella (kneecap).
They reported no ligament or tendon tears.
Ominously, they also reported a 'bone bruise.'
(All boney surfaces involved are cartilage covered).
No 'real' news until the end of the season when PJ says Drew has 'chondromalacia'. (Irritation or in other words, damage to the cartilage on the back of the patella..kneecap).
This is NOT runner's knee. Remember that bone bruise? I think it's trama to the cartilage on the back of the patella when it temporarly dislocated.
Cartilage has no direct blood supply. Only very minor assaults on it will heal. If it's not too badly damaged it may heal in approximately 6 months (Mid-July). If it hasn't healed by then, it probably will not....when it comes to the body, who knows what it may or may not do?
So, if I am Drews doc and I have the above knowlege, and he comes to me and says it's not getting better fast enough what do you think?
I think the above and say...wait a few more weeks and see if it improves (personally I would have said mid July, but he wants to sign an 80 mil contract this summmer). If it's not better, we will do an arthoscopic "exploratory" surgery (because I need to see how bad the cartilage is damaged, and I will know when I see it, if it CAN heal or not). If I see a loose piece, I can remove it or push it down where it belongs...maybe. But the purpose is not to make the knee better only to see the damage.
I'm a realistic observer of the vast world that surrounds the Los Angeles Lakers. You can thank Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos, and Vlade Divac for making that possible. The greatest person of all time is Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn. There's no getting around that. Me? I'm eighteen years old and working my way to a journalism degree.
I lied. 
