Bynum says knee feels ‘unstable’

Twenty or so reporters crowded into a tiny room under Staples Center right before Friday’s game, making the tipoff between the Lakers and New Orleans almost a secondary issue.

Only one thing could possibly draw them in this way -- another injury update, this time from Andrew Bynum himself.

The Lakers’ center said his left knee still felt “unstable” and continued to cause a “little bit” of pain.

“Jumping, landing, backpedaling, quick change of directions are still a problem,” he said. “In a couple weeks from now, I might be good. I might not be good. I’m not sure.”

Bynum will continue to run on an anti-gravity treadmill that reduces a runner’s impact, but he is not allowed to practice or take part in contact drills until he is cleared by doctors. Bynum has been out since Jan. 13, when he suffered a bone bruise on the knee and a briefly dislocated kneecap. There is no official timetable for his return.

Bynum said the medical opinion of Lakers doctors and his doctor in New York, knee specialist David Altchek, were in agreement.

Bynum had experienced swelling in the knee and had trouble putting his full weight on it while playing one on one.

“We had to test where I’m at, and I kind of just failed that test, so we’ve got to slow it back down,” he said. “You definitely don’t want to hurry back and risk losing a long career, which I plan to have. I don’t want to come back and make something serious happen.”

Bynum, who could be signed after the season to a five-year extension worth up to an estimated $80 million, said he did not want to do long-term damage to the knee. The Lakers agree, from the front office down to the players.

Kobe Bryant, who earlier this season said Bynum’s presence made the Lakers legitimate title contenders, said the 20-year-old center should be patient.

“When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Bryant said. “It’s important for him to take his time. When he’s ready to get going, he’ll jump right back in, but there’s no point in rushing it. He’s got a long career ahead of himself.”

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Bynum wasn’t the only member of the Lakers to receive unfavorable medical news this week.

Forward Trevor Ariza is doubtful for the start of the playoffs after a CT scan Friday morning showed that a broken bone in his right foot still had not fully healed.

Ariza will be examined again in two weeks, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

Ariza, however, was approved to increase his running on an anti-gravity treadmill from 70% to 80% of his body weight this week. He will increase it to 90% next week.

Ariza has been out since Jan. 20. The Lakers end the regular season Tuesday against Sacramento and begin the playoffs either April 19 or, more likely, April 20.

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There were a few “truth or fiction?” moments when Bryant was shown on a viral-marketing video leaping over a speeding car, skillfully landing on his feet and hugging teammate Ronny Turiaf, who stood nearby.

After Bryant landed, he exclaimed, “That is how you jump over an Aston Martin, boy. That’s how you do it.”

The video was created by Nike to market its new Hyperdunk shoe and had drawn more than 300,000 viewers on YouTube.

The video drew concern from some Lakers fans, although Bryant wasn’t really jumping over a moving car. He said it was created with special effects.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com