Bynum Cleared To Practice

Andrew Bynum finally got the news he was looking for from doctors. He was cleared to start workouts. Bynum said he will start working out in July and be ready by the opening of training camp in October. “His knee looked wonderful, and we are anticipating that within a short period of time , he will begin training.”
This obviously is great news for Laker fans, who have been dreaming of watching the pairing of the Twin Towers of Gasol and Bynum and how it would work.

Bynum Seeking Max Contract

Andrew Bynums agent David Lee believes his client should get the max contract extension. This after Bynum himself weeks earlier said that he doesnt care about max contracts and that he just wants to be a Laker and can be happy taking less. His agent believes that Bynum was “Talking like a 20 year old and had not consulted with his representatives. I think the Lakers know how we feel about this. ” Bynum is eligible for a max contract extension that would be 5 years and 80 million.

I personally believe, although his agent is just trying to do whats best for his client , he is off base on this request at this time. Look, the kid is coming off a serious injury. So much so that he took way longer to recover than originally diagnosed and actually needed surgery which they didnt intend on having. His swelling has just barely subsided. If Im Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss , Im telling his agent look , we love Andrew and we believe he is a max contract type player for us in the future. But right now is not the time to start those talks. The Lakers have in their corner the fact that he has this year up coming under contract and the following year they can offer him a qualifying offer which would make him a restricted free agent, that way even if any team makes an offer they can come back and match.

You also have the fact that Bynum wants to be here. He’s said so , many times and like I said earlier even blurted out that he didnt need the max extension. Although you dont want to ruffle the agents feathers here, you also have to make him realize that this is a big investment that will take place when the time is right. Management should take notice of the fiasco that went on with Grant Hill in Orlando when he was unable to stay on the court due to his shattered ankles, every year they were strapped financially with his enormous contract with nothing to show and the inability to sign or trade for more players due to the salary cap.

Agent 000,000,000

Free Agent All Star Point Guard Gilbert Arenas has agreed to resign with the Washington Wizards for 6 years and $111 million. Thats 16 million less than he couldve signed for. “What can I do for my family with 127 million that i can’t do with 111 million” Arenas told the Washington Post. Well Gilbert ummm, actually you can buy them 16 , one million dollar homes. Or how bout 16 million lottery tickets to get more money. HA.

Arenas resigning follows fellow All Star Antawn Jamison resigning with the Wizards keeping them as competitors in the weak Eastern Conference.

Sonic Boom in Seattle

Sonics fans cant save team

Sonics fans voice went unheard as Owner Clay Bennet and David Stern finalized a deal to send the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City? Are you serious? I know Bennett is from there but come on. NBA is now relocating to po dunk cities like Oklahoma City? Was Waco, Texas or Roswell, New Mexico not available? I dont get it, I really feel for the Sonics fans who gave their heart and soul for 41 years. They were always a boisterous crowd and Key Arena was known for being one of the loudest arenas especially during those great Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp days. I actually was a fan of that team. They were always competitive and Kemp and Payton were a joy to watch. However, Bennett is not being viewed as the bad guy as much as Howard Schultz, the former owner and Starbucks CEO. The fans are upset with him for not selling the team to a local business man who wanted to keep the Sonics in Seattle.

David Stern didnt exactly help out here. It almost seemed like he catered to Bennetts every need instead of focusing on keeping the team in the Emerald City. Sonics star player Kevin Durant was disappointed in the decision saying he didnt believe they would leave so fast. Stern has been known to make wierd decisions lately like him saying that eventually the NBA will have expansion in places like China. Wow, i can see that brutal road trip for the Lakers when they play back to back nights against Portland Trailblazers one night and turning around to play the Shanghai Great Walls on the following night. Talk about a bitch of a back to back.