There is no easy answer to that query considering Andrew’s age and his brief career. Recent events make it almost impossible to have an unbiased and nondiscriminatory view of the young center. In February 07, the Nets were asking for Bynum to trade Jason Kidd to the Lakers, which created a hot debate among the fans and experts. Many were impressed by his performances before the All-Star games and didn’t approve such a trade, but the consensus changed after he hit the notorious “wall” following the All-Star show.
It’s truly difficult to build a dispassionate opinion about Andrew Bynum without being preoccupied by Kobe’s demand for immediate roster improvement. However, we could attempt to get a fair-minded view in evaluating his brief career without prejudice.
Bynum averaged an impressive 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots per game as a senior in St. Joseph High School in New Jersey, before he was hand picked by Jimmy Buss as the10th pick in 2005 NBA Draft. He became the youngest NBA player to play the game on Nov.2 against the Nuggets in Denver. Lakers connected the teenager at the hip of all-time scoring champion and Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to learn post moves.
2005-2006 season was a typical slow rookie year for the chiseled 7 footer; he played 46 games, 7.24 minutes per game and averaged 1.6 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.2APG and a low 29.6 FT Pct.
2006-2007 season was the year of contradiction and conflict for the 19 year-old center. He surprised us in the season-opener against the Suns and scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds on Oct. 31, 2006, and less than a week later he finished a home game against the T-Wolves with 20 points, 14 boards and 3 blocked shots. He recorded eleven double-doubles before the mid-season. He also showed glimpses of pride and determination against Shaquille O’Neal on January 16th 2006.
Then came the crash with that ugly “wall” and his performance plummeted; no more double-doubles, even single-singles became difficult. His lack of experience was very obvious on March 18th in a game against T-Wolves; he turned over the ball in the 4th quarters, just over 2 minutes left on the clock, he was stunned like a deer looking in the headlights, he was confused as to pass or not pass the ball. That happens to the best players, but instead of being remorseful and admitting his blunder, he became very angry and lashed at his teammates and coaching staff in front of the camera as he returned to the bench.
Last season ended in disappointment for Andrew, and his future remains uncertain. Reportedly, he has been working hard to prove his critics wrong. More than once was the youngster the target of criticism because of his poor work ethics.
Until now, we have been linking Bynum’s inconsistency and blunders to his age and lack of experience. But he’s a rookie no more; he’s entering his third season in the league. The greatest center has been tutoring him for the past 2years, Hall-of- Famer Phil Jackson has coached him through 128 games, and he’s lucky to play with the best player on the planet in one of the most glamorous professional sports franchises. Not many rookies have that kind of opportunity. What else does he need?
Is Bynum “The Right Stuff”? Could Andrew breakout soon enough to become a convincing support cast for Kobe? I personally have difficulties to answer those questions but maybe you can.
Not the greatest start for Andrew Bynum
Kareem preaches patience to Andrew Bynum
BREAKING NEWS: Lakers, Andrew Bynum agree to four-year deal
Greg Oden on Andrew Bynum
Lakers decide to bring back Bynum, Farmar
I wrote this over at A Sad Truth but it pertains just as much to this article as to that one.
“Bynum will be good. This article is well spoken though regarding his need for some confident physical dominance. Dwight Howard is I think, 21? and Bynum 19? Howard in his first year averaged 12 points and about 10 rebounds during 30 minutes or so of playtime per game.
Bynum averaged last season I believe 6 rebounds and 8 points in 20 minutes. If given Howard’s same playing time that would be 8 rebounds and 10.5 points or so….
Now factor in age…and you get…
If Bynum averages 7 rebounds and 9 points in 20 minutes…this year… 10 rebounds and 12 points or so would be the 30 minute total… putting him dead even statistically with Dwight Howard during his first year..Bynum now being the same age as Howard his first year. That statistically dead even concept would become a reality…or atleast as far as my memory and feeble math skills can muster.
Not that Bynum is on Howard’s level. There are afterall all the wonderful attributes of a physical nightmare that statistics cannot understand. Though if you want to try to use them to figure it out, Bynum had 1.5 or so blocks per game last season, about the exact same as Howard had in his first season. The only difference is Bynum did it in 20 minutes as opposed to Howard’s 30.
Now again, I do love what the writer of this article is saying in style of play. Bynum needs to be a big mean junkyard dog out there, and not so much a finesse pirouette ballet fairy. Yet if he can get that hook shot down and the physical dominance with it we are looking at the next Shaq. If he can do it and get his freethrow % up to 67-75%…..he would be nearly unstoppable.
We will see what happens, but even though I think that entire Lakers FO is completely insane I believe in Andrew Bynum becoming a phenom and a franchise player just as much as they do. I feel so icky relating to them…
Even Dwight Howard has not finished growing completely…by 25 he will have barley filled out his shoulders to their fullest, and that is a scary scary concept. How far along will Bynum be by that age; god only knows. But thats 5 or 6 years from now… 6 years ago bynum was 13 =P
How Bynum’s physical chemistry plays into things and how he develops a hunger and drive….that remains to be seen, but you don’t get 7 feet tall by the time you are 17 having poor gene growth chemistry.
Now to just get the work ethic out of him to be in the gym constantly…”
This year is a ride or die year for Bynum in my opinion. If his numbers come up another 2 points or so and another rebound or 2 average per game in 20 minutes of playtime… he will not have proven his ability to be a franchise player, but he will not have fallen short in any way. He will be right on pace.
If the rumors are true. You know the ones about Bynum’s amazing summer workouts (soon to be a video, “My Amazing Summer of ‘07 Workouts” by future allstar A. Bynum) then we have nothing to worry about.
What’s the latest rumor? He’s now gained 30lbs of all chiseled muscle, grown 2 inches, wears a Mohawk hair cut and has grown wolf man like fangs.
And yet, nobody has seen him, have they? Are the Lakers puposely keeping him incognito? Hidden from public view, like a race horse being held back, only to be released to surprize an unwary public? Maybe he his our secret weapon afterall? Or is it some sort of trick to fool other GM’s into wanting him more? You know, like a ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ thing? Hoping it works on Larry Bird. “Oh my God! I have to have him!!!”
Why so many questions? Because its just that. Bynum is a big question mark in all our minds. And no one has the answer yet.
Unless your Jim Buss. To him, Bynum IS the answer.
Is Jim Buss right? Is he a Thorough Bred like one of Jim Buss’s horses, that is being groomed to lead the Lakers to the Kentucky Derby of the NBA Finals? Will his new name be Andrew “Sea Biscuit” Bynum?
I can see Jim Buss now, at Los Alamitos in the early morning hours, with the marine layer of fog surrounding the track. Holding his stop watch as he times Andrew “Sea Biscuit” Bynum racing by the grand stands. Comtemplating to himself, “Man O’ War, this kid is good. We can win the ‘Big Sweepstake Race’ with him carrying us all on his shoulders”
And poor Kobe, looking forlornly from the stables. Watching as Jim Buss heaps praise on Bynum, knowing that Buss feels that he is just a washed up ‘has been’ of a player that has seen better days. Soon to be run in a claims race, and given away.
I heard Bynum learned to fly as well; Kwame got ball magnets implanted in his hands; Walton can now shoot 3’s blindfolded at 90%, Vlad came back out of orbit, Odom developed Kobe’s killer instinct; and Crittenton is the best PG since Magic (sorry Nash).
^ hahahahahahhhahaahha
is that a recent pic of bynum?? he looks like he lost lots of weight and gain a lot muscle. we need him to get to dwight howard status
I am always hopefull…Bynum to average 14, 8, 3
[quote comment="13171"]^ hahahahahahhhahaahha
is that a recent pic of bynum?? he looks like he lost lots of weight and gain a lot muscle. we need him to get to dwight howard status[/quote]
i hope so
if this is Bynum now he looks like a beast
It’s funny how people pay more attention to a photo than the article. Next time I am gonna write my article like a comic book with many sequential photos and just a few words. hahaha
I was wondering the same thing. Bynum looks ripped in that picture. I hope that isn’t some funny photoshop crap!
That photo is very real and IS NOT EDITED or anything like that. This photos has the NBA logo on it, we cut it to fit it into article. if you want to see the full view of that picture just go to this link:
http://lakers.topbuzz.com/gallery/v/andrew-bynum/bynum-228056_480_art_R0.jpg.html
I have hope. It was good to hear he’s spent his summer trying to get better.
“The right stuff”?? The right stuff to be a franchise player? The right to be an all-star or hall of famer? or The right stuff to be a significant role player?
When you see a player play in the NBA, you get a sense of what hes all about. Whether he plays soft or plays with a killer instinct or if he has high basketball iq, things you just cant teach. In Bynum all I see him becoming is a really good role player, something on the lines of a 10-10 type player, not someone who you would build a team around, but definitely a starting center, like a Chris Kaman with the Clippers. He doesnt seem to really want “it”, that fire, that desire, to be the best, to be a force in this league, or to be better. I see him as being someone who just does enough to get paid and players like that never become great.
I think he’ll ending up becoming a really good role player, but will he do it in time to appease Kobe. I dont think so, but we’ll have to wait and see. I think this is the year we will all know if Bynum will be a bust or not, because by now he should have a good understanding of the triangle and has two years of NBA experience, so there are no excuses for him anymore.
http://lakers.topbuzz.com/gallery/v/andrew-bynum/bynum-18987120.jpg.html
yea boi. Bynum a G. knew it since he dunked on Shaq and owned Sasha
People that photo is from last years summer league. Remember he didnt play this year.
Cyrus great article and for a short answer no hes not the “right stuff”.
We needed immediate help. Not some fricking 5 year project.
Mitch is Weak for letting someone else do his damn job! Its no wonder Kobe wanted West back. Jerry West would never have had some else step on his toes the way Mitch has. Thats why Jerry is no longer here. Jim and Jerry are running the show now. Mitch has to be saying to himself “14 years under Jerry and for what?”. Hes been regulated to a powerless “Owners (word for female dog inserted here)” of a GM.
I think Mitch must be pretty comfortable in that role Because unlike Jerry West He hasnt voiced an opinion at all.
And Im Sorry if I sound a little pissed But Kobes not getting any younger and He still frickin needs Help. I just hope were not sitting here next year saying the same Damn stuff.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda!
[quote comment="13184"] Sorry if I sound a little pissed But Kobes not getting any younger and He still frickin needs Help.
man, you’re talkin as if Kobe’s 32 and has 0 rings. we need ‘help’, yes, but we can’t just do a crazy move that ends up not getting us a championship. JO wouldn’t have gotten us a championship since NJ wanted both Bynum and LO. Kidd wouldn’t have gotten us a championship because the Lakers need improvement in more than just 1 position. this year we fixed our PG problem. maybe next season we’ll fix our PF/SF problems unless Vlad steps it up and Turiaf stops fouling so much
Nate
That wasnt the point. Were talking 2 years ago we needed some Help. Not a 17 year old that needed a tutor. And by the way Kobe has Played more minutes than most 29 years olds have played. Kobe maybe barring injury has 5 to 7 years left at most and even when he hits 34 he’ll be in his declining years by then. In other words we dont have time to wait for any player to grow. We needed and still need players that are already at the NBA level. 1st year Bynum was with us He sat on the Damn bench most of the season. Last year He didnt do crap all season. Yeah u can name 1 or 2 games he did well But we play 82 games. Kobe needs frickin people who can play at the NBA level Thats all I was saying.
By the way are you saying that because Kobe has 3 rings it really shouldnt matter who he plays with Or if the team builds around him? Do you realize that by the time Kobe is 35 He’ll be playing in his 18th season (Hopefully for us)?
maaaaann EFF Bynum!! I don’t care if he’s a future star, we’re tryin’ to with this NOW!! If Kidd was in LA by now KG would’ve prolly been as well (though it’s only dreams)… and all because of Baby Bynum!
This lil’ piece o’ shh better ask to be traded himself… after all that’s happened because of him…
Bynum, to me, is a sky-high potential guy whom from what I’ve heard about his summer, makes me think & believe that this’ll be Bynum’s break-out year and he’ll make something out of himself! I belive that with like 60%-80%! I predict he’ll average (for this year) around like 7-12 ppg, 6-9 rpg, 1-3 bpg and 15-28 or so mpg/minutes per game (and please, don’t say “I want my MPG!”, please, ok?)!
Are you sure that’s from last year? I don’t remember seeing a ripped bynum this year. Maybe he was just practicing in that uniform. I could be wrong, but he didn’t look like that to me last year.
I sure hope Bynum is ready this year to consistantly put up big numbers for us. If not, we can’t wait around any longer for him to blossom into an all-star. Who knows how long that could take, and seeing as how he’s the only valuable trading piece we have (Kobe , Luke and Lamar are untouchable to me), I say trade that mofo by the deadline and get us someone who can help us win NOW while we have Kobe.
Partial transcript from PJ’s interview with Jim Grey
somber music while Kobe is featured in film
PJ: He can come back and be a part of this team. and he can be a part of this organization again and be I think, full hearted in his participation, but it is going to take some mending. And I have to be part of that, and their other people in this organization will be part of it too. But I think the understanding is, we have to get something done.
Its frustrating for him and thats the process. How do we get things done to create this atmosphere, of going forward, having a chance and being competitive.
Jim Grey: Can I ask you what seemingly the fascination this organization has with Andrew Bynum and why there seems to be such a reluctance to want to trade him when he’s shown very little to this point when you could possibly get something very valuable in return?
PJ: You know, its, its one of those dilemas, that you know is, is potential uhm enough to give credence to keeping a ball player. I mean is the potential enough that you’ll rue the fact that hey here’s a guy that’s gonna make an allstar team maybe 10 times in his career. Who knows? Is that gonna be something Andrew’s going to be able to do? Its still a question, uhm but,uhm, the fact that I know is, is that we got a great player in Kobe Bryant, who’s probally not going to be around to see that potential ever develope and I would love to have him have the opportunity to exercise what he has, which is one of the great games of the NBA. And also get back to that championship dance.
More to come…….
Interview continued.
Jim Grey: Can I ask you about your current circumstance with the Lakers and a contract extention that had been offered and you haven’t elected up to this point to sign that. Where do things stand?
PJ: You know, I think its still a standing offer. We really haven’t discussed it because after the operation in June. I wanted the time to rehab and really just be able to say I’m healthy enough to go forward as an energetic active coach. And I’m still not at that point yet and were in September here, uhm, where I’m still using a cane to walk, and still rehabing, on a basis in which you know, where training camp, will be a process for me, and the regular season I’m still questioning. So until that point when I say okay, well ,I’m really healthy and ready to go I don’t want to incumber this organization with the fact that I’m not 100%.
End of interview.
thanks fatty, that was a nice read. It seems like phil is on the same “ship his @ss out!” boat as kobe.
There’s one question…how will that translate to the floor, THIS YEAR and next. You know the years we still have one future HOF Kobe Bean Bryant?
Thank you all for your comments and I am glad to see that this article has created some intelligent talk on this thread. However there is a point I made on this article that has not been answered except in one or two comments:
How could we judge Bynum as a single player without being preoccupied by Kobe’s dissatisfaction with the present roster? In my opinion, first we have to get a dispassionate view of Bynum, good or bad, before we could find a place (or not find) for him in present and future of this team.
Like most of you, I am a diehard Kobe fan and I think Lakers FO should do anything in their power to appease Bryant, including trading the youngster for more experienced teammate for Kobe. We all know that, and that is like amen in the church.
But this article is about “A” player called Andrew Bynum, who has played 128 games in NBA, who has showed us glimpses of hope and moments of brilliance but also has disappointed us with his inconsistency and lack of work ethics.
Admittedly, I have not been able to get a clear and crisp outlook for Bynum and that was the reason I wrote the article in the first place, hoping maybe somebody could.
Sorry I missed it…
My answer, is we can’t. Just like you can’t look back on Kobe’s career and not see Shaq there, or just like you can’t miss the ineptitude of this front office lol.
At a certain point in time, you have to take the risk and say…maybe this will happen, maybe not, but I’m doing this. All of us throughout life do so. We at times jump without looking down, most of the time, it was the right thing to do.
I took from PJ’s statements that the Lakers’ FO is saying that a bird in the hand, Kobe, is not worth two in the bush, Bynum. I further feel that PJ doesn’t agree with the FO. I also do not understand why Bynum did not play in the Summer League. If the FO wanted to show him off to potential trade partners wouldn’t the SL be a good show case. Either the FO doesn’t want to trade him and are training him for a breakout season or they know he is a bust and will trade him before training camp. My hope is that Kobe and PJ have been let in on the secret.
“SHIP HIS ASS OUT”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No way, do not ship his ass out. Think of what bynum did last season. With 21.9 min a game he averaged 8 pts 6 boards and 1.6 blocks, and o ya he did that all at the age of 18-19. With all the talk on his improvement body wise, bball skill, and his iq level, I assume he can easily double all 3 numbers with a significant boost in minutes. If there is one thing Mitch Kupchak has done right, that is not sending away Bynum and Odom for O’neal just to please kobe. I gaurantee bynum has a breakout season this season.
Now that the dust has settled (or lack there of)and the realization that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers major front line presence i’ve begun to reflect on times past. I remember a time when Shaquile O’neil was the most dominant player in the world and all he did was criticize the Kid Kobe, making comments about his lack of maturity and simply saying that the Lakers could not win a championship with Kobe. Young Mr. Bryant did not take kindly these comments and held a grudge that would eventually destroy quite possibly the greatest duo in NBA history. I wonder what Young Mr. Bynum is thinking as he reads articles and watches camera phone video of the best player in the world lobbying for his departure? Will he hold a grudge? Will he someday force KB24 out of town? As Kobe’s biggest proponent, I feel it’s only fair to point out when Kobe has gone too far. Kobe, keep a lid on it dude, you don’t know how to communicate, stop trying. You can only be misunderstood for so long, eventually people understand you quite clearly. Work with the Kid, let Mitch do his job, Let Phil coach, keep your trap shut. If you want to battle with Lakers Management, be my guest, just do it in private, for everyones sake.
We all know what Kobe “ship his ass out” Bryant wants but I have always believed that you never make a trade in response to a tantrum. The question is Bynum worth keeping…everyone one here saw his tremendous potential now some of you ill informed basketball gurus think he is a bust…YOu can’t have it both ways….saying he is worth keeping back in January when he had a great first two months of the season and now saying we should trade him….The real question is why did he taper off…..if he tapered off because he is not a very good player or did he taper off because he is young and couldn’t physically maintain his production for the whole season….if you know basketball then you must believe it is the latter…so the answer is that Andrew Bynum is a Keeper….Sorry Kobe “ship his ass out” Bryant.
I think PJ could be worried that his time is running out to get that 10th title.
Another thing about Bynum…he would have been the 3rd player in the draft this year, great hands, height, natural raw ability, great kid, speaks better than most of the lakers when giving an interview, and big players like him don’t come around too often. I am eager to see his improvement. And for those of you who say he doesn’t have a good work ethic…they said that about Kareem when he was young….he is nineteen….remember when you were 19???….well for some you haven’t made it there so don’t answer that.
ARE YOU KIDDING…BYNUM IS MISSING FIRE…IT IS NOT THERE….WE UNDERSTAND HE STILL IS PRETTY YOUNG AND HAS TO DEVELOPE…BUT THAT FIRE,WINNING ATTITUDE OR WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL IT IS NOT THERE!!!!! AND HE TAPPERED OFF BECAUSE HE AINT A VER GOOD PLAYER!!!!!
[quote comment="13215"]Now that the dust has settled (or lack there of)and the realization that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers major front line presence i’ve begun to reflect on times past. I remember a time when Shaquile O’neil was the most dominant player in the world and all he did was criticize the Kid Kobe, making comments about his lack of maturity and simply saying that the Lakers could not win a championship with Kobe. Young Mr. Bryant did not take kindly these comments and held a grudge that would eventually destroy quite possibly the greatest duo in NBA history. I wonder what Young Mr. Bynum is thinking as he reads articles and watches camera phone video of the best player in the world lobbying for his departure? Will he hold a grudge? Will he someday force KB24 out of town? As Kobe’s biggest proponent, I feel it’s only fair to point out when Kobe has gone too far. Kobe, keep a lid on it dude, you don’t know how to communicate, stop trying. You can only be misunderstood for so long, eventually people understand you quite clearly. Work with the Kid, let Mitch do his job, Let Phil coach, keep your trap shut. If you want to battle with Lakers Management, be my guest, just do it in private, for everyones sake.[/quote]YOU REALLY ARE TRIPPING….WHY DOES KOBE HAVE TO KEEP HIS TRAP SHUT…THE LAKERS FRONT OFFICE IS FULL OF SH#@! I DONT BLAME KOBE ONE BIT FOR PUTTING THEIR SORRY ASSES ON BLAST!!!!EVER SINCE JERRY WEST LEFT THE LAKER ORG. HAS BEEN HEADED SOUTH…NOT SURE ANYMORE WHOSE RUNNING THE SHOW…AND DID THE LAKERS REALLY INTEND ON REBUILDING…OR JUST USE KOBE TO SELL SEATS AND MERCHANDISE….DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO KOBE!!!!
BYNUM WILL NEVER BE A SUPER STAR…JUST A REGULAR JOE…HE AINT GOT THE HEART!!!!!!YOU ALL KNOW THAT TOO….DONT JUMP SHIP NOW!!!!!!!
All that yelling . ..gave me a headache.
Personally, I am not a proponent/opponent of AB - much like the article. We all just guess as to what he will or won’t be.
Here are some interesting facts:
(sidenote 20pts per 40 min = 0.5 pts per min)
1st year
JO stats:
0.40 pts per minute @ 45%FG; 60%FT
0.27 rbs/min
0.06 blocks per minute
AB stats:
0.22 pts/minute @ 40% FG; 30%FT
0.23 rbs /min
0.23 blocks/min
2nd year
JO stats:
0.33 pts per minute @ 48%FG; 51%FT
0.07 blocks per minute
0.25 rbs/min
AB stats:
0.36 pts/minute @ 56% FG; 67%FT
0.07 blocks/min
0.27 rbs /min
3nd year . . . JO stats:
0.29 pts per minute @ 43%FG; 51%FT
0.05 blocks per minute
0.31 rbs/min
4th year
0.32 pts per minute @ 49%FG; 58%FT
0.07 blocks per minute
0.27 rbs/min
5th year
0.40 pts per minute @ 47%FG; 60%FT
0.09 blocks per minute
0.30 rbs/min
6th year: Breakout year (19pts, 10 boards, 2 blocks per game)
0.51 pts per minute @ 48%FG; 69%FT
0.06 blocks per minute
0.28 rbs/min
The sole question remains . . can the Lakers get a superstar who will put them in Championship contention? Assuming we lose LO and AB, JO does not do that; KG probably would have.
So do we sell our future for 2nd round exits? What about for WCF exits?
Problem is: AB probably won’t peak (if at all) until his 4-6th year, will Mr. Bryant have the patience to reap the rewards? Remember, you can’t reap if you don’t sow.
hey daboss, if you notice, bynum was doing better in his second year than JO up to his 4th year. By that count, it seems bynum is ahead of schedule (using your logic).
I think bynum is a solid player. He needs that work ethic and he knows he can’t just be a so-so guy in the most popular basketball franchise. He knows he has to pick it up, everyone is watching him. He has solid numbers and he’s 19, with a little bit of a work ethic he could be a solid player. All star? That’s up to him, but he will be a solid player. I say keep him if you can, kwame is off the books next year and we can afford the extra help then.
[quote comment="13221"][quote comment="13215"]Now that the dust has settled (or lack there of)and the realization that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers major front line presence i’ve begun to reflect on times past. I remember a time when Shaquile O’neil was the most dominant player in the world and all he did was criticize the Kid Kobe, making comments about his lack of maturity and simply saying that the Lakers could not win a championship with Kobe. Young Mr. Bryant did not take kindly these comments and held a grudge that would eventually destroy quite possibly the greatest duo in NBA history. I wonder what Young Mr. Bynum is thinking as he reads articles and watches camera phone video of the best player in the world lobbying for his departure? Will he hold a grudge? Will he someday force KB24 out of town? As Kobe’s biggest proponent, I feel it’s only fair to point out when Kobe has gone too far. Kobe, keep a lid on it dude, you don’t know how to communicate, stop trying. You can only be misunderstood for so long, eventually people understand you quite clearly. Work with the Kid, let Mitch do his job, Let Phil coach, keep your trap shut. If you want to battle with Lakers Management, be my guest, just do it in private, for everyones sake.[/quote]YOU REALLY ARE TRIPPING….WHY DOES KOBE HAVE TO KEEP HIS TRAP SHUT…THE LAKERS FRONT OFFICE IS FULL OF SH#@! I DONT BLAME KOBE ONE BIT FOR PUTTING THEIR SORRY ASSES ON BLAST!!!!EVER SINCE JERRY WEST LEFT THE LAKER ORG. HAS BEEN HEADED SOUTH…NOT SURE ANYMORE WHOSE RUNNING THE SHOW…AND DID THE LAKERS REALLY INTEND ON REBUILDING…OR JUST USE KOBE TO SELL SEATS AND MERCHANDISE….DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO KOBE!!!![/quote]
Am I tripping???????????? I guess so, you aren’t because you obviously have a crystal ball and can tell that Bynum will never amount to anything. Maybe you’ll understand my point if I use all caps………WAKE UP DIONNE WARWICK!!!! IT’S NEVER GOOD TO AIR YOU’RE DIRTY LAUNDRY IN PUBLIC, IN THIS CASE IT ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING, OR DID THE LAKERS ROSTER VASTLY IMPROVE WHILE I WAS WASTING MY TIME RESPONDING TO YOU???
My concern about AB has always been: mental toughness.
That is not learned!
A player’s mentality does not show up on a boxscore.
Mr. 47, Kwame / Sasha / Turiaf / Mo are all off the books next year but we still at the cap or only a couple mil below (depending where the cap is set)
Well foxxy there is not one GM in the NBA that knows if Bynum will be a bust, good, or great player. At age 22 or 23 we will know, so your saying he isn’t a good player is a bit premature. We will see what kind of jump he makes this year. One thing we do know is that he has the physical tools, hands, height, and body to be a force in the league, which is why many GM’s want him especially those wanting young players. Another thing in answer to why “Kobe should keep his trap shut”??? Most importantly, it ruins any leverage in trades for the lakers. Knowing that Kobe will want to leave makes Indy want both LO and Bynum, etc…and any team will want more. So yes Kobe keep quiet, no more tantrums.
Bynum/Garnett comparison at Age 19
G MP FG FGA RB DRB TRB BLK TO PTS
AB 82 21.9 3.0 5.4 1.7 4.2 5.9 1.6 1.4 7.8
KG 80 28.7 4.5 9.2 2.2 4.1 6.3 1.6 1.4 10.4
The slight difference I think is due to KG playing seven more minutes a game. I think it makes a case to at least giving Andrew Bynum a chance to prove himself. Do I think he will be better than KG or as good as him??? No I am not saying that, but we don’t really know yet, do we????
Aren’t we just slightly over the salary cap (excluding MLE)? With Kwame off the books, we have a little over $9 million a year of space. The other guys you mentioned can push that number to around $11 (not sure what mo makes). $11 mil less next year means we can probably set up something good.
BYNUM IS MISSING FIRE AND DESIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!
[quote comment="13225"][quote comment="13221"][quote comment="13215"]Now that the dust has settled (or lack there of)and the realization that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers major front line presence i’ve begun to reflect on times past. I remember a time when Shaquile O’neil was the most dominant player in the world and all he did was criticize the Kid Kobe, making comments about his lack of maturity and simply saying that the Lakers could not win a championship with Kobe. Young Mr. Bryant did not take kindly these comments and held a grudge that would eventually destroy quite possibly the greatest duo in NBA history. I wonder what Young Mr. Bynum is thinking as he reads articles and watches camera phone video of the best player in the world lobbying for his departure? Will he hold a grudge? Will he someday force KB24 out of town? As Kobe’s biggest proponent, I feel it’s only fair to point out when Kobe has gone too far. Kobe, keep a lid on it dude, you don’t know how to communicate, stop trying. You can only be misunderstood for so long, eventually people understand you quite clearly. Work with the Kid, let Mitch do his job, Let Phil coach, keep your trap shut. If you want to battle with Lakers Management, be my guest, just do it in private, for everyones sake.[/quote]YOU REALLY ARE TRIPPING….WHY DOES KOBE HAVE TO KEEP HIS TRAP SHUT…THE LAKERS FRONT OFFICE IS FULL OF SH#@! I DONT BLAME KOBE ONE BIT FOR PUTTING THEIR SORRY ASSES ON BLAST!!!!EVER SINCE JERRY WEST LEFT THE LAKER ORG. HAS BEEN HEADED SOUTH…NOT SURE ANYMORE WHOSE RUNNING THE SHOW…AND DID THE LAKERS REALLY INTEND ON REBUILDING…OR JUST USE KOBE TO SELL SEATS AND MERCHANDISE….DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO KOBE!!!![/quote]
Am I tripping???????????? I guess so, you aren’t because you obviously have a crystal ball and can tell that Bynum will never amount to anything. Maybe you’ll understand my point if I use all caps………WAKE UP DIONNE WARWICK!!!! IT’S NEVER GOOD TO AIR YOU’RE DIRTY LAUNDRY IN PUBLIC, IN THIS CASE IT ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING, OR DID THE LAKERS ROSTER VASTLY IMPROVE WHILE I WAS WASTING MY TIME RESPONDING TO YOU???[/quote]
LIKE I SAID…DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO KOBE!!!!!!!
foxxy use some logic in your decision making. you cant make that kind of judgement on bynum with the age he is at. At the moment hes basically putting up the same numbers as KG did at that age, remember he played 7 less minutes than KG and had far less field goal attempts. Bynum has the pedigree to be a NBA monster, ya thats right, a monster. If he gets his build straight he will sky rocket, and learning from one of the best (Kareem) I predict Bynum to be in the top 3 in the league at the Center position. I may be completely wrong but I admit that, you cant make such a brass judgement on the little amount of time we’ve seen him play.
The level of basketball IQ on this thread is very impressive. This is how an intelligent blog discussion should look like. Thank you everybody to take the time posting great comments. It’s educating and fun to read. keep them coming and stick to your guns.
wow all this speculation about bynum is just lovely. however, its pointless because whether bynum becomes an all star or not it will be too late for kobe. he will be passed his prime. therefore why are we even discussing this? on the one hand you have kobe, currently the best player in the nba. on the other hand you have a very young prospect that could possibly maybe perhaps become great years from now. who are you gonna choose??? this is hard lemme think ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm KOBE!!! get this man some help NOW.
cyrus, “sticking to your guns” certainly makes for entertainment, but is far from dialogue. Stubborn rhetoric is not part of any intelligent discussion. (by the way neither is yelling)
Luke, not necessarily true . . . assuming AB amounts to his promise in 2-3 years, KB at that time is 32-33 . . . Will he amount to anything? Will KB wait?
Shaq was forced to wait for KB - all the while screaming for him (KB) to be traded.
MJ started winning at 28 and stopped at 35
[quote comment="13237"]wow all this speculation about bynum is just lovely. however, its pointless because whether bynum becomes an all star or not it will be too late for kobe. he will be passed his prime. therefore why are we even discussing this? on the one hand you have kobe, currently the best player in the nba. on the other hand you have a very young prospect that could possibly maybe perhaps become great years from now. who are you gonna choose??? this is hard lemme think ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm KOBE!!! get this man some help NOW.[/quote]
people just keep dropping ‘get Kobe help’ and ‘trade Bynum.’ all the trade scenarios we would have been involved in would have left us gutted and destroyed. this year our FO addressed our biggest weakness by dramatically upgrading our PG rotation. next offseason all we have to do is get a solid defensive PF and move LO to the 3 and we’ll be good. as for Kidd, even he said he wouldn’t have done the Bynum for him trade. Kidd. i don’t know how and why Laker fans even doubt Bynum. he could land us almost any big name via trade (if the other team’s FO is considering moving that player, of course). MJ’s best years were in his 30s. i don’t get why Kobe can’t be just a bit more patient.
i like bynum. “Sticking to my guns” would be to at least believe he can be a solid player. Is he tradeable? I think it depends on who is on the waiting list. Someone such as KG you would have to since you can’t risk potential for greatness. JKidd was a fair decision, but i can see how kobe thought it was not a good one. I would keep him if we could, if we can make ourselves better now, we need to take it though.
Just to add to the recent posts that say kobe can wait a couple more years to play with bynum at his peak, I just want to say that Bynum could very possibly be a very strong center THIS year. I’m not saying the top, but I’m hoping he will be a huge improvement from what we’ve seen so far from kwame. The Lakers this year have shaped up to look a lot like the Bulls in the 90’s. With kobe (the best player in the world) and a healthy team (100% healthy Odom, Walton, Mihm) and the addition at PG (Fisher, Crittenton), I feel the lakers have made great progress this offseason, and hoping that Bynum has really made the improvement everyone says he has this offseason, I see the lakers being a force this season and if they dont get it done this year, next year we have a huge contract spot opening up and a potential major upgrade next summer.
Tick, tick, tick the clock is running. Kobe is the here and now, Bynum is the speculative future. You can not get to the furture unless you take care of the now. PJ said yesterday that when Jordan came back for the second 3peat the only addition the Bulls made was to acquire Rodman. Rodman was a gamble with baggage, but it worked. It was a gamble worth taking! I think PJ meant you don’t have to sell the future to succeed. Can we say Ron Artest.
daboss1848,
Comments on this thread are certainly an improvement over what we had couple of month ago and by saying “sticking to your Guns” I meant to counter with facts and logical reasoning rather than stubborn rhetoric. Questioning and examining comments and answering them with documented facts is far from stubbornness. Also, there is nothing wrong with bit of entertainment.
I agree with you about Cap-Writing, it’s annoying and unethical in a civil correspondence.
daboss,
good points. its true mj started to win at 28. so really the only question is IF bynum will live up to the potential. i say its too risky to wait and see though. what if kobe does stick around and wait on bynum to develop and nothing happens? we’ll still be where we’re at now except with an old kobe. thats too scary to think about. i dont know if we should risk that.
nate,
your approval of the fo astounds me. the fo didnt address anything. derek fisher fell into our laps. what would they have done about our pg situation if fish’s daughter didnt have cancer? sign brevin knight? thats a great improvement over smush. kobe could stay and wait for bynum to develop until hes 40. we have no idea what bynums future is. he could be kwame part 2 for all we know. while its good to look to and plan for the future, we cant forget about the present. presently we have kobe. its idiotic to not want to get him help now.
[quote post="995"]Tick, tick, tick the clock is running. Kobe is the here and now, Bynum is the speculative future. You can not get to the furture unless you take care of the now. PJ said yesterday that when Jordan came back for the second 3peat the only addition the Bulls made was to acquire Rodman. Rodman was a gamble with baggage, but it worked. It was a gamble worth taking! I think PJ meant you don’t have to sell the future to succeed. Can we say Ron Artest.[/quote]
Exactly how would you get Artest? You can say get thist player or that player but it does not mean anything. I can say all I want get garnett and obviously it didn’t happen.
as far as Bynum goes it is too early to decide if he is going to live up to his potential. He is just to young. It is difficult for big men to come into the NBA, it takes them a while to get used to the physicality and quickness of the NBA. This is even harder for kids out of high school. throw in the fact that Bynum not only needs to learn the NBA game but, the triangle offense and the game of basketball in general… its going to take a while. So for now all Bynum has is potential.
I agree D. Imhoff,
Artest is a nutcase but he would make wonders being a Laker. We must go after him at least because everybody else we fail to acquire. Artest would help tremendously on defense and he has heart just like Kobe. Bynum needs to show a real improvement this year. I hope he will do it.
Kobe will leave in 2009 if nothing substantial happen to the Lakers this season and PJ will leave sooner.
Luuuuuuuuuke
the FO did aggressively pursue players. they were coming up with 3 and 4-team trades but it’s the other teams that didn’t hold up. we tried to get Gerald Wallace, MJ backed out. we tried to get JO for a fair price, Bird backed out. we tried KG, and Ainge backed out. it’s not our FO’s fault. i wonder if we could have been more succesful if Kobe hadn’t gone on the radio
as for Artest, he’d totally wreck this team. sure, he’s a good player. yet he’s also unpredictable and egotistical. those 2 factors is what makes other GMs not jump all over his low salary and amazing defense. Artest wants to be the franchise player, the team leader, the captain, the #1 guy on the team. he said so himself. why would he come to LA? plus, Artest would go to Miami, New York, or stay at SacTown before coming here. hm. what happens if Artest starts stuff with Kobe? that would be much bigger than Shaq/Kobe and would tear our fragile team apart