Kwame Brown Out 3-4 Weeks!

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Kwame Brown out at least 3 weeks
 
October 19, 2006

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown will be sidelined approximately three to four weeks because of a bruised rotator cuff and bursitis in his right shoulder, meaning he'll miss the start of the season.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Thursday that Dr. Neal Elattrache, a shoulder specialist, examined Brown a day earlier and made the diagnosis.
 
The 24-year-old Brown hasn't played since colliding with Andrew Bynum during practice Saturday. His shoulder bothered him last season as well.

Brown, the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, averaged 7.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 72 games for the Lakers last season -- his first with the team. He became the team's starting center after Chris Mihm injured his right ankle March 12.

Mihm played only one game after that, and is still recovering from offseason surgery on his ankle.

"Chris won't be ready by opening night," Black said. "We really don't want to put a timetable on it other than to say it's going to be more than two weeks."

The Lakers open the season Oct. 31 against the Phoenix Suns.

With Brown and Mihm both sidelined, possible options at center to start the season are the 18-year-old Bynum, Ronny Turiaf and Brian Cook. Bynum was the team's first-round draft pick last year and Turiaf was the second-round selection. Neither played much as rookies, and Cook is a natural forward.

"It's a coaching decision," Black said.

Defending NBA scoring champion Kobe Bryant, recovering from offseason knee surgery, hopes to be ready for the season opener, but hasn't played in the exhibition season.

"Our hope is he'll get to play in at least one preseason game," Black said, adding that Bryant was "probably doubtful" for Sunday night's game against the Suns in San Diego. The Lakers have one exhibition game after that -- against Denver next Thursday night in Anaheim.

The Lakers have several other injured players, including Vladimir Radmanovic (sprained ligament in his right hand); Shammond Williams (abdominal strain); Aaron McKie (disc irritation and inflammation), and Von Wafer (bruised left heel).

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had hip replacement surgery Oct. 3, has been working part-time and is expected to be on the bench for the season opener.
 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

NOOOO!

With Brown and Mihm both sidelined, possible options at center to start the season are the 18-year-old Bynum, Ronny Turiaf and Brian Cook.

That makes me feel a little better.

[Tha G In Deee]

Damn...at least the injury won't keep him out longer & with Kwame & Mihm out for 2 or more weeks, it looks like Bynum & Ronny will get more time playing center & it'll at least give them more experience & playing time...

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

[Antonio_]

Bynum time, baby. Let's see if he got "it".

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

Bynum time, baby. Let's see if he got "it".

He played 28 minutes last night & only got 4 rebounds and had 4 TO's  ...He stil has a long way to go.

[Antonio_]

No doubt. But hey, in 2-3 weeks we will have two good C's back in our roster, so i think it's a good chance for him and i'm looking forward to see if he can already do something good in the NBA.

[Doggystylin]

Bynum is nowhere near ready, he's still incredibly soft, slow and unprepared. He lost so many easy points out there last night and hes almost worse than Kwame at holding the ball. Turiaf should easily get the spot over him once Phil is back in charge.

[rik]

Damn that sucks. Noway Bynum is ready,

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Like I said, Bynum is not yet ready, but you can still see flashes of a great center in his game...When he collects himself and takes his time, he has some unstoppable moves. Like that up-and-under he did against Brand last night. And though his man defense tends to get soft, he's really good at anticipating when to go for a block, which tells me he'll be a great defender when he gets his footwork down...But yea, I don't see him getting major minutes this season, 10-15 at MOST. Thank God we open the season with a favorable schedule...PeACe