If Bynum were to live up to the big expectations placed on his 7-foot, 285-pound frame, something had to change. That's where Zarzana came in.
Zarzana began the process by educating Bynum on nutrition, sleeping habits and overall wellness. He worked with something Zarzana calls core neuromuscular proprioceptive training, to "try to get the brain and body to function together."
Then there were the workouts. Zarzana designed a program that makes Bynum "more effective at his position." They worked out four to six hours, six to seven days a week in Atlanta.
Bynum ran a mile in 8 minutes, 49 seconds when they began. Zarzana said he's shaved more than two minutes off that time.
Bynum improved his bench press from 265 pounds to 305, and his squats from 265 pounds 10 times to 405 pounds 10 times. His body fat dropped from 12 percent to nine.
He ran 50- and 100-meter sprints. He did sprints with a parachute on his back, 50 to 60 yards on straightaways, backpedals at 45-degree angles and zigzags.
And of course there were basketball drills that former NBA star Gerald Wilkins put Bynum through.
"The kid has worked extremely hard, and on his own accord," Zarzana said by phone. "It didn't take anybody to fire this kid up but himself. He realized going into his third year that he's no longer a rookie and he's expected to be a starter now. He came to me and said, 'I want to be the best center in this game. Can you help me?' "
Jackson said he would be happy with Bynum's progress when he can average 15 points and 10 rebounds. However, Bynum has impressed his teammates in pickup games at the Lakers' training facility.
"He looks real good out here," Luke Walton said by phone. "He looks stronger. He jumps better. He's definitely improved since last year. I'm kind of excited to see if he keeps it up."
