Andrew Bynum, Brimming With Potential, Slowly Works Into Shape

Filed under: Lakers

LOS ANGELES -- Other than with Shaquille O'Neal, Phil Jackson hasn't had greatness in the pivot during his coaching career. He did still win three titles with former star Bill Cartwright at center and three with never-was star Luc Longley manning the middle.



So Andrew Bynum could be regarded as the second-best center Jackson has coached ever. The only problem is the Lakers' coach can't get him on the floor much.



So pardon Jackson's frustration regarding Bynum, who has been slow to return to form this season while coming off yet another knee injury. Jackson knows what kind of potential he has in Bynum, who is just 23 but has shown some impressive flashes in his six-year career.



"Just reactions right now,'' Jackson said about Bynum still not being close to 100 percent after he has played in six games after missing the first 24 of the season due to a right knee surgery. "Conditioning is part of that. I think his reactive ability and just reacting to the ball and the game is still an issue.



"Andrew's heavy. He's a muscular kid, but I don't think he's overweight per se. But he could probably stand to lose 10 pounds and be lighter and have less of a load to carry.''

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/andrew-bynum-brimming-with-potential-slowly-works-into-shape/