Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the special assistant coach in charge of mentoring Andrew Bynum when the Lakers drafted him in 2005.

"I've been waiting for him to do just what he's been doing," Abdul-Jabbar said Thursday. "I watched the San Antonio game and it seemed to me at that point he had it figured out, how to help this team. When he plays like that, all over the boards and blocking shots and changing shots, it makes it very easy for this team to win."

Abdul-Jabbar stepped back from his Lakers coaching duties in November 2009 when he was diagnosed with a form of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous blood cells.

He used to consult with Bynum at home games and practices, sometimes going to Bynum's home for extra video study and discussions about basketball history. 

"'Drew can get it done on the court now. He just has to be consistent. If he's consistent doing the things he's been doing recently, I definitely see the Lakers playing for the championship."