Andrew Bynum had his best night as a Cleveland Cavalier on Monday, playing 19 minutes and finishing with 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the first time since joining the Cavs, he appeared in both the first and second halves.
Andrew Bynum on his explosiveness: ‘I don’t think it’s going to come back’
Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum is at least appearing in games again, but he knows he’ll never be the same player he was before his knees failed him.
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately for Bynum, though, he is clearly severely hampered by the effects of his knee surgeries. While the big man was never a huge leaper as a Los Angeles Laker, he did have good quickness and could get up and down the court before all of the injuries. He knows it’s going to be different from here on out, via the Akron Beacon-Journal’s Jason Lloyd:
The explosiveness he once enjoyed with the Los Angeles Lakers is gone, and there's a good chance no amount of rehab will bring it back.
"I don't think it's going to come back," he said Monday prior to the Cavs' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. "It makes you have to rely more on footwork and skills versus athleticism."
Bynum went on to say he’s still having “little sharp pains here or there, but nothing too bad.” After missing the entirety of 2012-2013, he is obviously working his way back into game shape and trying to find his rhythm. Compounding that with the fact that it takes him a couple of days to recover after a game, Cleveland’s expectations for Bynum this season should be fairly low.
Even in limited playing time with the Cavaliers, Bynum is showing signs that he can make an impact with his size and his touch. It's still sad to think he'll likely never resemble the all-star talent who completely changed games in L.A.
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