Bryant, Bynum coming together for Lakers
If everything somehow settles into a bright future for the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, everyone will look back on now as the time those two realized they could play a good two-man game on and off the court.
"It helped a lot when he (Kobe Bryant) found out he (Andrew Bynum) really worked this summer," Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday. "But I think there's also proof in the pudding. He (Kobe Bryant) saw him come out this preseason and play hard and be in condition to play with the guys instead of being trailing all the time with stamina problems."
Andrew Bynum getting serious about his craft has earned some respect from Kobe Bryant — whose offseason desire to trade Andrew Bynum for veteran help and win more immediately was well chronicled.
Andrew Bynum, 20, said he has noticed all the public praise that Kobe Bryant, 29, has been offering now.
"I heard about it, and it's pretty cool for him to do that, because I definitely am working," Andrew Bynum said.
Andrew Bynum complained that the Los Angeles Lakers don't let him bring his personal trainer, Sean Zarzana, into their El Segundo workout facility. He said they go three or four times a week to train at Loyola Marymount University, the soccer field at Playa Vista or the weight room at Andrew Bynum's Westchester home.
"We get it done wherever we have to," Andrew Bynum said.
Andrew Bynum worked the early part of last offseason with Los Angeles Lakers coaches and trainers before going to Georgia to train with Zarzana, who has relocated to Los Angeles for Andrew Bynum. The work has helped Andrew Bynum hold up so far this season, despite a recent bout with food poisoning.
"I haven't lost any weight yet; I'm still 280 (pounds)," Andrew Bynum said. "I still feel like I'm in shape and all that."
About not being able to get Zarzana access to the facility, Andrew Bynum said: "I guess I'm not (important enough) — not right now. Maybe next year or the year after that."
Kobe Bryant's former personal trainer, Joe Carbone, is in his fourth season as the Los Angeles Lakers' strength coach.
Jackson said Kobe Bryant has a greater appreciation for Andrew Bynum this season.
"Kobe has recognized the uniqueness of Andrew and what he can bring to the table for a basketball team," Jackson said. "He knows if we're going to win, we have to have that kind of defensive stopper like that and also the advantage of having a guy that size to complete things at the basket, so screen-rolls become an issue for other teams to cover. Andrew's fulfilled those two functions for us relatively well right now."
NOTES
Jackson disputed an interpretation of a recent comment as meaning he said the Los Angeles Lakers aren't going to win at least 50 games. Asked if they will, Jackson said Tuesday: "I don't know." … Lamar Odom didn't practice because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee, which he has been icing regularly before games and at halftimes. He said it was nothing major. … About Vladimir Radmanovic, whom Jackson called a "space cadet" last season while he struggled, Jackson said: "My favorite Martian is back on Earth."
[More at www.ocregister.com]
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