Los Angeles Lakers centre Andrew Bynum is ready to return to action after suffering a knee injury against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 13. Los Angeles Lakers centre Andrew Bynum is ready to return to action after suffering a knee injury against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 13. (Richard Vogel/Associated Press)

Los Angeles Lakers centre Andrew Bynum proclaimed himself completely healthy Friday, saying he expects to be better than ever when training camp begins Sept. 30.

"I'm doing well, man," the seven-footer said during a news conference at the Lakers' practice facility.

"The knee's good. Everything's ready to go, 100 per cent. I've been training, getting stronger."

Bynum, 20, was expected to be sidelined 8 to 12 weeks after bruising a bone in his knee and briefly dislocating of his kneecap in the third quarter of a 100-99 victory over Memphis last Jan. 13. Instead, he was sidelined for the rest of the season, and underwent arthroscopic surgery May 21 to remove some cartilage debris and smooth some rough spots on the underside of his kneecap.

He was in the midst of a breakout season when he was injured, averaging 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds.

Bynum recently returned to Southern California after spending a month working out with his personal trainer, Sean Zarzana, and former NBA standout Gerald Wilkins in Atlanta.

Bynum, the 10th overall selection in the 2005 NBA draft, credited the rapid improvement he made last season to hiring Zarzana in the wake of withering criticism from teammate Kobe Bryant after the Lakers' first-round playoff ouster in 2007.

Centre says he's faster, stronger

"Actually, I'm better," Bynum said when asked to compared his fitness to last summer. "My times on the track are better and I'm able to lift more weights. I'm stronger. I weigh about the same; I'm 285 [pounds] with less body fat."

Bynum said he looked forward to working with Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar again this season. Abdul-Jabbar, the leading scorer in NBA history, has served as a mentor to Bynum, who jumped from St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J., to the pro ranks.

"I can't wait, man," Bynum said. "I think I'm the only guy who wants the season to start, like, tomorrow, you know what I mean? But I just can't wait to play with the fellows."

Bynum is eligible for a contract extension that could pay him as much as $80 million US for five seasons, but said he's not thinking about anything but a successful return to the Lakers lineup.

"If I handle my business on the court, the business off the court will be handled," he said.

Bynum also said he's looking forward to teaming up with Pau Gasol, who will move from centre to power forward this season.