Preparing for Andrew Bynum’s Return
For the L.A. Lakers to be successful, they will need an inside presence. That means the return of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and/or Chris Mihm from the list of the injured. The Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, is being very shrewd. He is paving the way for Andrew Bynum’s return by lowering expectations:
“…Jackson intimated that Bynum could indeed play some of those games. But there are reasons for the Lakers, who have a more polished center in Pau Gasol now, to limit plans on what Bynum could bring: He’s 21, with almost no significant playoff experience and expected rust from his injury layoff, and he only this season learned the subtleties of offensive spacing and defending without fouling.”
link: Bynum’s return date still in flux
This takes the pressure off Andrew Bynum to return to his previous form immediately. Any success he has upon his return will be regarded as a positive. It softens any blunders that his young center may have when he return to the active lineup. Further, it is a very subtle motivational incentive to Andrew Bynum. It calls upon his pride as a professional athlete to show people, especially his coach, that he is indeed ‘back’, in every sense of the word.
Phil Jackson uses the media coverage with exceptional craftiness.
Catherine Forsythe
Tags: Andrew Bynum, expectations, L.A. Lakers, NBA, Phil Jackson
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