Does Andrew Bynum Need More Surgery?

Andrew Bynum has already been ruled out for the rest of the postseason (just basketball, not frat parties), but he may have an even bigger disappointment on his hands. Considering he's still experiencing pain in his balky knee, there's a chance that the Lakers will postpone giving him an extension this summer, which was once considered all but automatic.

He's scheduled to receive a third opinion on his left knee Wednesday from the specialist that operated on the knee when he was 12 years old, and it's possible he could undergo another surgery. From the Los Angeles Times:

Bynum, 20, has been sidelined since Jan. 13 because of a bone bruise in his left knee and briefly dislocated kneecap. He still feels pain in the knee, making surgery a prime option as his on-court absence edges closer to four months.

Surgery could delay a contract extension for Bynum, who is signed for one more season at $2.8 million but can begin negotiating in July an extension of up to five additional years and about $80 million.

The Lakers presumably want to see a healthy and productive Bynum before investing so much in him.

What's most disconcerting is that nobody seems to know what's wrong with Bynum or when he should be able to return. You'd have to imagine that he'll be ready for action by the time November rolls around, but then again, he was never expected to miss four months in the first place.

And what if the surgeon goes in there and discovers he needs microfracture surgery?

If that happens (and I have no reason to think it will beyond preparing for the worst-case scenario), he could be set back not just months but an entire year.

So your saying that if he went to the plantation he would not have the money?

Or

If he went to the plantation instead of playing 82game pace and worked on his body and game he might not have the knee problems.

Shaun Livingstone young body literally buckled under and could not take the pounding.

Lebron was already man sized and body had developed.

There is not right or wrong.

In a way, too bad a 20 year old can't enjoy his life a bit instead has to worry about all this money, surgery, and signing an extension.

Might be better to jump in a pool and make life long friends and make 50 mil dollars instead of 70.

Playa always has and agenda...

I've always wondered what would've happened if we drafted Bynum and the Lakers picked up Channing Frye (make no mistake, Mitch Kupchak would've taken Frye if we took Bynum).

I don't hold you to those standards man, take the post for what it is and everything will be ok.

When you start flipping things like you did the name dolan to nalod that's when you get in trouble.

Posted by playa2:

I don't hold you to those standards man, take the post for what it is and everything will be ok.

When you start flipping things like you did the name dolan to nalod that's when you get in trouble.

Your right, im dyslexic but when I look in the mirror it all gets put back right again.

The whole "Nalod" thing was a beautiful bit of forensic work on your part.

Posted by K22:

I've always wondered what would've happened if we drafted Bynum and the Lakers picked up Channing Frye (make no mistake, Mitch Kupchak would've taken Frye if we took Bynum).

Eventually traded him for Zach Randolph?

Posted by Allanfan20:

Maybe you should change your name to Yrubram.

"Hcaz"

I could coach at Duke with a name like that!

Or play defense for the Hockey Rangers!

Dwight Howard at 20:

15.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 blk, 53.1 FG%, 59.5 FT%, 37 mpg

Andrew Bynum at 20:

13.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.1 blk, 63.6 FG%, 69.5 FT%, 29 mpg

Posted by playa2:

Dwight Howard at 20:

15.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 blk, 53.1 FG%, 59.5 FT%, 37 mpg

Andrew Bynum at 20:

13.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.1 blk, 63.6 FG%, 69.5 FT%, 29 mpg

I think most of us would be willing to be patient with Andrew. He's got a lot of potential. Trade him for Randolph! Make it work Donnie!

Posted by playa2:

I am still waiting on Briggs to give us his evaluation on bynum's injury, knowing ndrew had leg problems in highschool and missed most of his senior season.

He's got a condition called knocked knees which left him more susceptible to the type of injury he sustained--subluxation of the kneecap. What they are trying to do is strengthen the muscular areas around the knee to balance and compensate the condition. So far it's been a slow process which has yielded little result. It's too bad because Andrew was on the avenue of becoming the best big man in the game--he just started advancing his game to an elite level just as he went down. He's young--so hopefully youth and good care will get him back to 100%.

How often does exploratory arthroscopic surgery lead to microfracture surgery? I've heard of it in the past. He could be out for all of next season if he has microfracture surgery.