Injury could sideline Bynum

Bynum makes the start
-By Steve Springer
November 1, 2006

Although substitute head coach Kurt Rambis was concerned about Andrew Bynum's foot, the Lakers' second-year center started Wednesday's game against Golden State at Oakland.

Andrew Bynum bruised his right foot in the first quarter Tuesday, when he had 18 points and nine rebounds in the season-opening victory over Phoenix. Even though Andrew Bynum returned to the court after having the foot examined, and even though subsequent x-rays were negative, Rambis wouldn't commit to playing him until he saw how the center's foot reacted to the pregame warmup routine.

Act like you've been here before.

That's the advice often given to rookies making their professional debut with the hope that such an attitude will enable them to overcome nervousness and hesitancy and avoid mistakes.

Jordan Farmar, the Lakers' first-round draft choice from UCLA, followed that advice Tuesday night. He followed it not only on the court, where he made all three of his shots from the floor and played with confidence as the Lakers won the opener, 114-106, against the Phoenix Suns, but in the dressing afterward as well.

Asked by reporters if he had butterflies, he said. "I don't get butterflies."

Was the Taft High graduate in awe of stepping onto the court as a member of the team he had long rooted for growing up in Los Angeles?

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