The following season, events played out similar to the previous year: the Lakers were scheduled to play Memphis during the month of January, and when they did, Andrew Bynum went down with another injury. This time, he returned with three games remaining in the regular season, and he went on to play throughout the playoffs – however, it was obvious he was playing timidly, and most of his minutes went to Lamar Odom throughout the Lakers championship run.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2NUsGSzw0Q
Having avoided the “Grizzly January Curse” last season by one game (the Lakers played in Memphis on February 1st last season), Bynum was able to make it through the month and the Lakers’ February contest against Memphis without suffering a knee injury.
After missing the first 24 games to this season, it would appear almost impossible for Bynum to see his knees take another hit courtesy of the Grizzlies during the month of January. Nevertheless, if the unfortunate does take place and Bynum does go down with a knee injury tonight, it will be tough for people not to consider the “Grizzly Jan” the newest curse in sports.
Will the Lakers hold him out of tonight’s contest just based on superstition? Probably not. Yet, it will be difficult to not be wary of any contact around the knee’s of Andrew Bynum tonight.
Do you think Bynum should play tonight? Take the poll at the top of the page and let us know what you think!
Also, be sure to vote Bynum and the rest of your favorite Lakers into this year’s all-star game, which will be held at Staples Center: http://www.nba.com/allstar2011/asb/eng/ballot.html?cid=nba362