Just like last season, the Lakers' chances of winning a championship may hinge on the health of Andrew Bynum, who has been out since February with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Coach Phil Jackson said recently that Bynum could be at least a few weeks away from returning. Now, I'm no doctor, of course, but at the Playboy Mansion on Saturday, the Lakers' 7-foot center looked to be well on the road to recovery.
While the Lakers were in Atlanta preparing for what would be an 86-76 loss to the Hawks on Sunday, Bynum was in Los Angeles mingling at a pajamas and lingerie party after the Playboy Golf Finals.
Wearing a green smoking jacket and slippers, Bynum, whose injury status is generating daily headlines in Los Angeles, partied like a rock star near the infamous grotto.
He picked up Playmate Nicole Narain and placed her on his shoulders and got somebody to take a picture with his digital camera.
Upper-body strength, check.
He hopped over a velvet rope near the DJ booth so he could take a picture with Narain and other Playmates who ended up sitting on his lap.
Jumping ability, check.
He sidestepped a few of the roaming cameras and got down with some Playmates on the checkered dance floor set up in the backyard.
Lateral movement, check.
Later, with lines around the bar getting longer, he pulled out a bottled beverage from one pocket and four plastic cups from another and offered up drinks to three Playmates who were with him.
Ability to adjust to game situations, check.
The scene reminded me of seeing pitcher Brad Penny at the mansion last season during a Dodgers game while he was on the disabled list. When I asked Penny if he was keeping track of the game, he took one look at his surroundings and said, "No, would you?"
If Bynum isn't healthy enough to play, should he be able to live out his Playboy fantasy in the meantime? Maybe, but while he's rehabbing his injury and the Lakers play shorthanded without him, perhaps it'd be wise for him to keep a low profile and sit out a couple of pajama parties. The grotto and Playmates will still be there. The Lakers can only hope the same can be said for Bynum come playoff time.
Tori Praver
Kim Cloutier
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Comments (129) Add A Comment
isnt that daryl strawberry? thats not even bynum in the pic
kyatsu
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (5)
I think there is a difference between carrying a 98lb playgirl on your shoulders and playing in the NBA. Let's not let the media blow this out of preportion. No one ever said the man wasn't able to walk. He just can't withstand the rigors of an NBA game right now.
Treynine
Massapequa , NY
Total Comments (3)
Whatever he need to do to get right....Don't matter to me. This makes me think he'll be straight for the playoffs....Have fun now my dawg, cuz when you get back, it's time to work!!!!!
iAM
Austell , GA
Total Comments (9)
So since he plays professional B'Ball, he can not have life. He is a young single male, money does not change that...As long as he is rehabbing and doing what the Laker organization needs him to do, his personal life is his choice. Stipid article, always trying to cast the athelete in the worse light. Is going to a party now illegal for professional?
Dean
Total Comments (124)
Wat guy would turn down a chance to go party at the playboy mansion...
way to go Drew
dwade4mvp
Lakewood , CA
Total Comments (3)
You're just looking for something to write about Markazi
Dante Greco
Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (1)
looks like one jazzy **** to me
tyday05
Chandler, AZ
Total Comments (5)
I go tno prob with Drew going to the Playboy Mansion. But carrying a bunny on his shoulders? Jumping over a valet rope? He needs to take better care of himself while he rehabs to avoid STIPID injuries. or re-injuries. Until he is 100% he should sit down by the pool at the mansion and enjoy the view!
scnaj
Porter Ranch, CA
Total Comments (2)
Before this column, I really enjoyed your writing. Now I know you must be gay....
What better way to rehab than playing with a few bunnies?
TheBubba
Greenville, NC
Total Comments (20)
damn...it is hard out here for a pimp
blueintheblood
Honolulu, HI
Total Comments (307)
Wow, a young man who is injured decides he does not want to sit indoors all day and goes out to have the fun that any young man would want to have. He did not do anything reported that would risk further injury. Hopped over the velvet rope. The velvet rope that hangs in the center about 18 inches off the ground? He more walked over it I am sure. Not a Laker or Bynum fan. Just hate getting trapped into reading crappy information.
burnwood
Chicago, IL
Total Comments (33)
Bynum is an idiot. No problem with him going to the mansion - but with his spotty injury history - he's tempting fate having a woman on his shoulders or jumping over purple ropes. This guy is going to be a 40 games a year player ... and forty games rehabbing. Grow up Bynum. Oh that's right, you're still a kid...
Shooter_McGavin
Total Comments (328)
Very unusual behavior for a NBA player! What do you want him to do, sit around the house and post responses to articles that have nothing to do with him like the rest of us losers!
socalsportsfanatic
Moreno Valley , CA
Total Comments (1)
Ay Markazi, STOP HATIN FROM THE SIDE LINE JUST CAUSE YOU DON"T GET ANY BUNNY TAIL !
AddDoe
Upper Darby , PA
Total Comments (5)
YEAHHHH BOYYYYYYY. Bynum is coming back in a couple weeks!!! Get your popcorn ready baby, cause the playoffs are going to be great this year!
mplsboywonder
Total Comments (1264)
How did someone as weak as this writer get into the Playboy mansion in the first place?
Either go full-on ironic Onion-style reportage on this issue or embrace your inner Bill Platchke and go full preach mode. This walks the line between trying to be funny yet disdainful. Neither works.
Young athlete parties! And he's injured! What a scoop!
Lame.
timbo31
Santa Monica , CA
Total Comments (1)
I dont think Markazi was hating on Bynum, I think he was just making fun of the situation. Everyone needs to calm down
LongBeachMike
North Hills , CA
Total Comments (9)
Hell yeah!
dynamic
Total Comments (3705)
Wow. I actually only clicked on this link to see all the bashing I was sure Bynum was going to get. I am pleasantly surprised to see that most of the sports world has more sense than to read into this reaching article. Please, a damn near 300lb man picking up a 100lb woman. Not sure he put much pressure on his knees there. And I'm sure he was smart enough to check with coach Jackson to make sure it was alright before putting himself out there like that. Kind of the same way Reggie Bush got permission before going to his girlfriend's birthday party when he was injured. Thanks people for not taking the bait!
JMC
Total Comments (45)
Hey Markazi - when you were 21, didn't you go to parties? Even if your knee hurt that day? Gimmie a break.
VillyJeez
Valley Village , CA
Total Comments (1)
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