The (or at least "an") answer lies within
I came across an interesting feature today while reading over Henry Abbott's TrueHoop blog over at ESPN.com. The eggheads over at Wages of Wins have turned their calculators and abacuses (abaci?) towards Andrew Bynum. The results are very encouraging. And while I'm not one to go nuts over every form of ultra-techie statistical breakdown on the market, numbers can be revealing, especially when they confirm what most of us have seen the old fashioned way (you know, watching games): Andrew Bynum has made significant progress this season, and is playing pretty damn well.
From the piece:
"Thus far this season, Bynum has posted a 0.376 WP48. This mark eclipses the WP48 posted by every center last year. In essence, Bynum is becoming the star player Kobe demanded. In other words, the kid Kobe wanted to “ship out”, is now showing Kobe how wrong he was this summer.
When we look at the individual stats, we see where Bynum is excelling. Relative to the average NBA center, Bynum is above with respect to shooting efficiency, scoring, rebounds, blocked shots, and assists. Plus he tends not to turn the ball over."
He got plenty of them with the second unit, which is one reason they worked very well together and that
The author (David Berri) points out that it's still early, and a lot can change. Remember, Bynum faded after a strong start last year, too, and over the long haul I certainly worry about how big minutes now will affect him later this season. (With a healthy Kwame, I see no need to push Bynum too far past the 25 minute mark on average. It wouldn't surprise me to see Drew finish a lot of games as the season goes on, but they'll need him strong for a playoff push. And as we've both written, the starter thing is overrated.) Berri later writes, tongue-in-cheek, I assume, that because Bynum's metrics are better than Kobe's, maybe Drew should demand 24's ass be shipped out. I'm not buying that. But between the numbers and the ol' peepers, one thing seems pretty clear: The Lakers have to do a better job getting the ball inside and giving Bynum some consistent touches.
Andy and I both hoped PJ would, in the absence of Kwame Brown, let Bynum make his first run of every game with the reserves, even if Drew got most of the minutes overall over Chris Mihm. That second five was active and dynamic, moving the ball (and themselves) inside and out. The first unit doesn't have that.
Given the other issues Jackson is dealing with in the frontcourt (a hobbled Ronny Turiaf, an ineffective Chris Mihm), the need to start Bynum is more acute. No worries. But it bothers me, as I know it does a lot of you, that when he's out there, Drew often seems like an afterthought... except from Kobe, who seems to be the only member of the starting five who actively looks for Bynum and rewards him for activity down low. How's that for irony?
But the need to feed the post goes beyond simply taking advantage of a player who is becoming one of the most productive guys on the roster. The Lakers are a better team when their offense operates from inside out. When they were winning games early in the season, the offense was always moving towards the basket. Guys were getting inside. The ball was moving, players were moving. Three pointers were set up by penetration, cuts, and kick outs. More effective use of the post makes their outside game better, too.
It doesn't have to be Bynum, either. Let Odom get down low. Luke can work in space down there.
Oh yeah, that Kobe guy is pretty effective in the lane, too.
I like when the Lakers push. It helps them take advantage of the skills guys like L.O. If nothing else, it makes for fun basketball. But they have to be smart about it. Turnovers have killed them this season. Combined with poor shot selection that too often means settling for long jumpers or three pointers, it leaves the Lakers open to run outs from their opponents. Not sure if you've noticed, but the Lakers don't have the strongest transition defense in the league. Nor are the juggernauts in the halfcourt, but they're better there than on the run. And when a team isn't setting records defensively, they can't make things harder on themselves by giving the ball away or setting themselves up to be burned with easy runs at the hoop.
Attack the basket and get to the line. Work to get guys inside. Move without the ball (that's a biggie). It'll pay dividends on both ends.
And feed the post. Because the kid who's waiting for the ball is playing pretty well right now. Might as well use him.
BK
when will you guys understand that the lakers need more help for kobe and LO? trading LO isnt going to do anything but mess up the team this year. anyone you trade him for will only improve the team slightly unless its someone who truly dominates (ex: KG) adding artest for LO isnt going to do much. adding JO for LO isnt going to do much. adding marion for LO isnt going to do much. this is the western conference. all the contenders have solid guys 1-5. we need to add to the formula to improve. addition by subtraction is not enough for what you guys expect. find a way to get artest w/o losing LO is the best course. getting JO without losing LO is the best course. kobe/LO/bynum/????, thats what will put us into elite staus. 1-5 solid.
if LO is to be traded, it has to be in the offseason. after that the lakers better get another baller as well or it wont matter much.
Posted by: the WOLF | December 04, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Amen to that. Bynum has greatly improved and it is maddening that he does not get the touches. If I was Kobe I'ld hold a players only meeting, stand up front with Bynum and point the finger at him saying: "Look, we have an option inside...use it! I know most of you don't know what its like to win with a center, but I do, and I am telling you...remember he is in the middle!" Countless times have I seen Bynum just erased out of the offense....Force teams to double the kid. Bynum could be our second-best decoy on the team.
By the way, I still say what I have been saying the past three years. TRADE ODOM! The guy is a waste, 16 rebounds...so what! I don't consider his more down than up style of play inconsistent anymore, but rather lazy. I never thought I'd see a player in L.A more lazy than Shaq...seriously does Odom even work on his jump shots?
Posted by: Rhon Salmon | December 04, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Numbers lie.
But I know one thing...if they're basically saying "he's the future" at Kobe's expense...then I say we throw him the ball every single time on the half court. I mean we may not win as much games this season (or we may win a lot), but next year he should be theoretically an all-star.
Personally and I don't think this is a slight on him...but I think our offensive problems get magnified because of our inadequacies on defense. When it looks so easy for them, and it looks hard on us, you know you got a problem.
I have faith, but they need to do their part.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | December 04, 2007 at 12:30 PM
bynum is gonna keep getting better. as soon as kareem teaches him the sky hook he's an allstar
Posted by: bill | December 04, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Lakers are STUCK in MEDIOCRITY AT 9-8.
The BEST PLAYER in the HISTORY of the NBA is wasting his PRIME.
Tragic!
Joe
Posted by: Average Joe | December 04, 2007 at 12:38 PM
It amazes me that someone who contributes to such a highly-esteemed paper would actually entertain Berri's thoughts that do nothing to show that not only does he know nothing about basketball, but that he's also an idiot. You sir, have proven the same.
Posted by: steve | December 04, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Chris Mihm rewards Andrew by throwing the ball in the shaded even when there are three opponents guarding Andrew and expects Drew to catch it. How many times have we seen this kind of T/O? Luke rewards Andrew with those blind passing 50% goes thru and the other 50% to T/O so he's a fifty-fifty player. Well, they expect Andrew to move rather than go on stationary to get the pass. Chris has the attitude that he got allergies of having the ball, he throws it away hoping it will go in. While Luke makes a living just passing the ball, he makes an awkward lay up, wishing he gets fouled.
So Andrew should not complain of not being serviced by these two players.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 12:45 PM
A nice way of spending retirement, Aaron Mckie thinks of poor children this Christmas. I wish the other millionaires would do the same than going to night clubs, get drunk and involved into fights.
http://media.www.temple-news.com/media/storage/paper143/news/2007/12/04/Sports/Mckie.Hosting.Toy.Drive-3129632.shtml
One thing I could not understand from the $12M Coach why he didn't used Mckie when he was here who is a decent player compared to Smush and other scrubs? He may be slower but still a good shooter on games where he was in.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 12:56 PM
No chance of getting Verajao will stick with Cavaliers w/ higher pay. No chance of getting Gasol, he will make ammend with Grizz' . So just where do you wish to trade LO? Not with Knicks to get Stephon or Heat to bring back the reign of Smush? Where else?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Still have to take a second or two each game to remind me that Andrew Bynum is a 20-year old with limited time playing organized basketball. Good to see someone pimping his good start, hopefully the guys here about it and get the ball to him more.
Posted by: Andrew Z | December 04, 2007 at 01:02 PM
IMPORTANT REMINDER.. ONLY 47 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE
VOTE NOW AND VOTE DAILY!!
VOTING STARTED ON NOVEMBER 15 AND YOU CAN VOTE EVERY DAY!
MAKE SURE TO VOTE FOR LAMAR, LUKE AND KOBE FOR THE ALLSTAR @ LAKERS.COM AND MAKE SURE TO VOTE DAILY!!
EVERY BLOGGER GO VOTE NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY AT NBA.COM OR LAKERS.COM (DAILY!!)
REMIND EVERYBODY YOU KNOW TO VOTE DAILY EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT 47 DAYS!
LET THE VOTES STACK UP!!!
**ALSO**
SIDE NOTE FROM "TIM-4-SHOW":
"You should add that no one should vote for anyone EXCEPT a Laker. With the All-Star voting, competing players who get votes too would essentially take away the votes we cast for Lamar. In other words, Lakers only + Eastern conference where the votes don't compete against our guys"
VERY GOOD POINT BY TM-4-SHOW.... NOT NECESSARY TO VOTE FOR ALL 5 POSITIONS, JUST SELECT KOBE, LAMAR, AND LUKE AND CLICK TO FINISH UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR SHAQ ON THE EAST LIKE I DO
**ALSO**
SIDE NOTE BY "LONG TIME LAKER FAN":
"you're leaving out a CRUCIAL part of the voting process. There's a box at the bottom of the voting page where you can WRITE IN one vote.
Don't just vote for Kobe, Lamar, and Luke. Write in Bynum or Farmar as well. I don't think they'll win, but it would be good to at least see their names in the list of top 10 vote getters."
GOOD POINT, ALSO PICK A PLAYER (LAKER) THAT’S NOT ON THE BALLOT
SO….
****WHEN VOTING*****
FOR THE WEST... VOTE FOR ONLY LUKE, LAMAR AND KOBE (LEAVE THE REMAINING 2 POSITIONS (GUARD & CENTER) BLANK.
FOR THE EAST... VOTE ONLY FOR SHAQ (CENTER) AND LEAVE THE REST BLANK.
PICK A PLAYER (AT THE BOTTOM): DEREK FISHER
DO THIS DAILY!
Posted by: Violator | December 04, 2007 at 01:22 PM
AK/BK,
Great piece fellas. It just confirms what I and many on here have been harping about. I agree with you that Bynum should play about 25 minutes a game(although I'm stumped at how a young guy can't play all day long, I used to run the courts all day long non-stop when I was a youngn, but whom am I to say?)when Kwame returns so that we have him fresh and strong for the end of games and for the playoffs. It would be nice if his other mates(other than Kobe)got our Man-Child involve more down there in the post. I agree also that LO, Walton and Kobe should be posting up more as well. I just hope the coaching staff and Drew's mates realize what everyone else outside of the Lakers know and that is the kid can play. The main culprits for refusing to pass the ball to Drew are LO(seems to ignore Drew in the post, swings it elsewhere, takes bad shots or charges into someone), Fisher(shoot first point guard, never passes into Drew, often drives to the hoop out of control or challenges opposing bigs only to have his layup blocked or altered instead of dumping it to Drew) and Rad the Bad(almost always looks at Drew in the post only to shoot a 3 or swing it around to the other side or turn it over). I believe this to be the reason why Kobe's assists are up and LO's are down because it's evident who goes to the Drew and who doesn't. That's why Kobe leads the Lakers in ASSISTS folks(Bynum a big reason). Imagine if Bynum had a point guard like Nash, Paul, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd or even Lebron James? Drew's numbers would probably be closer to Howard's right now. I'll be watching tonight's matchup with Jefferson and tomorrow against Camby how the Lakers utilize Drew whom Camby said is much improved and has come into his own on his blog, hmmmmm. You'll even notice that the ONLY teammate that raves about Drew's hard work, determination and production is Kobe(as far as what I've read in articles and quotes from games and practices). AK and Bk also hit it on the head by stating that Drew was much better with the second unit because of their willingness to share the ball and throw it into the post whereas the first unit is so preoccupied with trying get on track individually(especially LO) when getting others involved will no doubt lead to easier hoops for struggling players. Here is where I agree with Mike T's value of Kwame(boy, it hurts for me to say this)being the starter. Not just for his defense, but for Bynum to keep the chemistry with the Bench Mob and be utilized more and kept fresh for the end of games. Great stuff AK/Bk, have a great day.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 04, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Andrew is NOT getting serviced by Mihm and Luke? Well... what can be said about that, that wouldn't result in this post being removed? LOL! Guess Andrew needs to take them out to dinner or something...
I've seen Odom hold the ball over his head several times and look at Bynum in the post but you can see from a mile away the intent is not there to pass the ball in, even the other team's defense notices this after awhile. Odom just seems to be programmed to do something and if anything tries to change that programming, he shuts down, goes into reset mode (which takes a few games of less than 10 points and then suddenly, he's the triple double guy and everybody starts telling him to shoot more and that's just not in his programming and then he's thinking so much about trying to shoot that he loses the ability to notice the open man on offense and... he fakes a shot and gives the ball to Kobe... over and over and over and over again....
Posted by: TaosHum | December 04, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Not that ya'll care--it's mostly for my own sanity anyway...
I, East Nyboer, hereby refrain from posting until Dec. 16.
I can't believe that PJ would sign a contract extension unless a trade scenario, one that will determine the future direction of the Lakers, is in the works.
Nor can I believe that, given the fact that this team is in the exact same state that pissed him off in the 1st place, Kobe would be able to refrain from vocalizing his discontent if there wasn't something in the works to make him feel better about his future.
I've felt from the moment that I watched PJ's first pre-season practice interview that SOMETHING IS UP.
IN summary: there's nothing to talk about until the trade universe expands after Dec. 15.
Posted by: East Nyboer | December 04, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Faith- One of the biggest problems I see with the Lakers defense is Kobe, who early in the season was playing defense with intensity. Now he seems to have lost that and no one else is stepping up to lead defensively.
A lot of the poor transition defense is caused by missed long shots, but I dont think the turnovers are as big of a problem as many think. I would guess the lakers are middle of the pack in points given up off turnovers.
And the worst laker in terms of not getting back on defense after a turnover or non-calll is Kobe, so he deserves some of the blame too.
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 04, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Faith- One of the biggest problems I see with the Lakers defense is Kobe, who early in the season was playing defense with intensity. Now he seems to have lost that and no one else is stepping up to lead defensively.
A lot of the poor transition defense is caused by missed long shots, but I dont think the turnovers are as big of a problem as many think. I would guess the lakers are middle of the pack in points given up off turnovers.
And the worst laker in terms of not getting back on defense after a turnover or non-calll is Kobe, so he deserves some of the blame too.
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 04, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Fanciful trade scenario #233829:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2429~885~981~617&teams=13~13~4~4&te=&cash=
Luol Deng & Ben Wallace + desperation, for
Lamar Odom & Kwame Brown + incentive
Reasoning:
1) Fit. Bulls need scoring and size. Desperately. Odom is long, can score and plays both forward positions. His rebounds, plus Kwame's interior defense would fill in for Wallace. Obviously losing Deng is a blow. For the Lakers, this is a no-brainer. They get two starters: a seemingly more compatible small forward that doesn't need the ball to score, and a Rodman-esque rebounder they can use as a power forward.
2) Money. Bulls get rid of a horrible contract in Wallace that will look even worse in a few years. They get Kwame's expiring contract and, assuming Odom is a good fit, room to add another piece later on. The Lakers have less of a monetary reason, especially considering they'll have to extend Deng and pay an aging Wallace.
3) Need for change. The Bulls don't look like they have the stuff to turn around their season. The Lakers aren't any less desperate, even though they win more.
This trade won't happen. I'm only publishing because any iteration of this with like players would be great for both teams. As always, just a suggestion.
DWIGHT
Posted by: DWIGHT | December 04, 2007 at 01:52 PM
AK/BK.. YOUR OPINION?
WE NEED A TRUE #2 ITS NO SECRET ANYMORE CUT AND DRY
THE ONLY WAY TO GET ONE NOW IS VIA TRADE FOR LO
BUT IF THE TEAM CAN GET THRU THIS SLUMP AND BACK ON TRACK WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO AFFORD PLAYING THE WAITING GAME UNTIL SUMMER WHEN ALL THE SIGNS ARE POINTING TO ACQUIRING A FREE AGENT IN ANY CASE.
THE PROBLEM IS THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING NOW LO IS JUST NOT SHOWING HE IS WORTH THE WAIT. HE HASN'T BEEN EFFECTIVE AT ALL.
WILL THIS TEAM BE ABLE TO GET UNDER THE CAP AND GO AFTER FREE AGENTS THIS SUMMER? DO YOU SEE THE LAKERS DOING SO AND AT THE SAME TIME HOLDING ON TO LAMAR AS A THIRD OPTION? OR HAS HIS TIME SIMPLY RUN OUT WITH THE PURPLE AND GOLD?
Posted by: Violator | December 04, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Laker Lover,
Seeing as he's part of the team, then yes Kobe is part of the blame. I think for the most part our dribble penetration defense has been exposed...that is on Kobe and/or Fish...but it also has a lot to do with the rotator as well. When once we had Kwame using his speech to trap the penetrator on top of the key, and double with Fish or Kobe...we now have Kobe doing his free-safety thing. Whether it is a PJ "plan" who knows. But I know that it's not working.
Chris Mihm, frustrates me. I know that he's a better help defender, but it never really seems to pay off for us defensively. Drew, is still learning. I think he's doing really well in terms of learning to trap and to get back, but it's a work in progress still.
This isn't a "Kwame is da bomb" kind of thing, but just that we need his speed. It does so much for our defense. Everyone else needs to pick it up as well.
Because the fact of the matter is...we can't rely on Kwame. He's chronically injured. Those that are in there are going to have to recognize and react depending on the situation. If the man is a dribble penetrator type, you have to make him into an outside shooter. How? By stopping him at the top of the key, using an athletic long player on him to trap, while the rest covers the shooters. If he still gets in, make sure his way to the hole isn't easy. Lay him out of if you have to (not dirty mind you, but just make him think about it). These are things we can do now but we don't.
To add to that, what is with Phil not playing Ariza? We got that dude for a reason. It's called defense. So what if he can't play the offense? So what if he can't shoot from the outside, he brings something that most of our players don't. And that is defense. Play the man!
Posted by: Faith | December 04, 2007 at 02:30 PM
RILEY AND SHAQ HAD A HEATED ARGUMENT...
Stephen A. Smith reported that there was tension a few days ago in practice between Riley and Shaq, that Shaq was mad because Riley did not surround him with good enough players to contend for a title and Riley told Shaq to leave practice and Zo had to calm things down
WHY NOT TRADE ODOM BACK TO MIAMI..ODOM,BROWN,VUJACIC FOR SHAQ AND HASLEM..
Posted by: Botsoy | December 04, 2007 at 02:38 PM
DWIGHT,
One problem with your trade scenario, or even 2...
1. Bulls (or anyone in this league) not that crasy about LO to give away Deng, number one option on the team.
2. Ben Wallace can not play PF in triangle, because he can not make midrange jumper or any kind of jumper. Playing in the low post will create inability to use Drew at the same time when Ben on the floor. If we're trading to get him as backup kind of center, well you better look one more time at my #1.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | December 04, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Botsoy,
Do you have a link for that article?
Posted by: Charles | December 04, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Botsoy, ohohoho can you imagine? Only problem is, Shaq is declining rapidly and he still demands - not a double team but a chunk of change. I'm amazed at all these NBA guys making $20m/year who are surprised their teams can't just go out and get some other $20m guy like there's no salary cap to deal with. There's NY and there's... everybody else... on that front and I guess that explains why there are so few good GM's in the league... it appears so few players understand the basic concept of the salary cap and then? then they become GM's! LOL!
Posted by: TaosHum | December 04, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Violator,
Take a look at hoopshype.com. Lakers will have next season more than 61M in garanteed contracts and unless they are trading LO for expiring one it's not going to happened.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | December 04, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Charles,
Sun-Sentinel.com
5:24 PM EST, December 3, 2007
Taoshun,
Why don't the lakers try one more last dance with Shaq?..we still have the young core..bynum,farmar,crit,ariza
Posted by: Botsoy | December 04, 2007 at 03:13 PM
*sigh*
I'm going to say this once more......
The reason Bynum so rarely gets the ball in the post is because we run our offense through Kobe. Picture a game....Lakers shooting on the left end of the court....on the side closest to the camera, the triangle is set up with D-Fish on the baseline/side, Bynum in the near post, and LO at the perimeter wing. That means Kobe and Vlad are on the far side/weak side.
LO has the ball, Bynum has good position......BUT, rather than throw the ball inside, LO swings the ball to the other side where either Vlad comes to the top and Kobe posts up, and Vlad throws Kobe the ball.....or Kobe comes up, gets the ball and goes (sometimes getting a pick from Bynum).
Or sometimes it's Kobe in the nearside swing position and he throws the ball to Turiaf at the top on the weakside, Kobe then moves over there and receives a handoff and pick from Turiaf.
IOW, in most situations the players on the court allow Kobe to dictate where the ball goes and how the offense is run. THAT'S why it seems Kobe is the only one throwing Bynum the ball....because he's running the offense, and Bynum gets the ball when Kobe "decides" he can. No one else on the floor does that.
But when Farmar and the rest of the 2nd unit play with Bynum, they will give him the ball more frequently. AK/BK have already spoken about this.
Right or wrong, that's why Bynum gets so few touches.
Posted by: Jason F. | December 04, 2007 at 03:18 PM
i said it before and i will say it again. Trade LO and go get RA or JO.
Posted by: xtro | December 04, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Did Steven A actually report this dispute with Riley? If so, unbelievable.
Socks, right now, is the closest thing we have to a #2 option... he's not a complete #2 option yet. I think a good #2 is to be a capable #1, and for that Bynum would need to develop some forbidable post moves. He has them, I just don't think they've been perfected yet.
Hey, HUGO BOSS... drop me a line, we've got a game tomorrow! AK/BK can give you my email addy.
Colorado Loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 04, 2007 at 03:53 PM
LAL_Fan,
If B. Wallace can't play power forward in the triangle, i guess neither can Rodman. And here i thought we could sign the 40 some year old Denis Rodman to have him fit the need at the 4. But that would never work, Rodman at 4. Hence, Wallace would never work at the 4 in the triangle.
Yeah Right.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | December 04, 2007 at 04:14 PM
The offese SHOULD run through Kobe. Kobe is the BEST!
Too bad Kobe's TEAMMATES SUCK!
Posted by: Average Joe | December 04, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Rhon Salmon,
You asked if Lamar works on his jump shot...
I'm not sure if he has worked on it or not, but I will tell you this, his shot is chalk full of mechanical inefficiencies. For starters, he shoots with his elbow perfectly horizontal. His arm is completely parallel to the floor. This means his shot will do two things without correcting for it: 1. The trajectory will be flat, which makes the round clynder a smaller target than it actually is, and 2. the ball will tend to fall short because the hinge (elbow) is not pointed at the target, but below the target.
Lamar compensates for this by boosting his legs. Lamar's jump on his jump shot contains a lot of wasted energy because he jumps so high. It's this extra lift that makes his shot have a chance at going in. Not even someone like Farmar who has the highest vertical of anyone on the team jumps this high on their shot.
Given the mechanical flaws, I would never expect Lamar to be a consistent outside shooter. I'd also never want him taking a last second outside shot because his mechanics are more susceptible to fatigue than those of a typical jumper.
Further, after all these years, I don't see these mechanics ever changing because I highly, HIGHLY doubt he'd take the time, effort, diligence, or risk in changing it. Contrast that with someone like say, Tiger Woods who at his peak will continue to refine his technique, sometimes completely revamping it.
I do not think Lamar is a Tiger Woods type, and that's what it would take for him to become a legitimate outside shooter.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 04, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Regarding the article on Bynum, let us not get too ahead of ourselves. Last year, Kobe tried to get Bynum to play with passion. He tried to watch films with him and to teach him professionalism but Bynum rebuffed him. Phil even called out Bynum on his work ethics. I guess Jim Buss gave Bynum all the confidence he needed. He could care less about Kobe. Jim Buss even disregarded Kobe's comment in their exit meeting about the team needing improvement by going on air and saying that Kobe will stay where he is...So much Puff. Fast forward to this year, Bynum realized that the star player has so much power and could make his life miserable by offering to be traded. He felt pressure like he never felt before and that jerked him out of his Jim Buss induced sleep..Bynum worked on himself (usisng Kobe's issues as a motivation).He stays longer in the Gymn with Kobe. He listens to Kobe and Kobe rewards him on the court by passing him all the freebies and also some PR by talking about his renewed work ethics.....Lakers fans better thank Kobe for his help to the franchise.
Posted by: Peter | December 04, 2007 at 04:43 PM
BYNUM'S DAY IS COMING. ALL THE HATERS AND DOUBTERS WILL SOON BE SALAVATING AT BYNUM'S FEET. THIS KID IS THE REAL DEAL AND HE IS GOING TO DOMINATE THE LEAGUE 2 YEARS FROM NOW MUCH LIKE HOWARD. HOWARD, YAO, AND NOW BYNUM....THE DAY OF THE CENTER IS RETURNING.
KWAME BROWN...LOL......WHAT A CHUMP.
THINK BIG PEOPLE.
Posted by: SHAQ FAN | December 04, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Average Joe,
>>>The BEST PLAYER in the HISTORY of the NBA is wasting his PRIME.
I wouldn't say Sasha is quite in his prime yet.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 04, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Jason F,
"LO has the ball, Bynum has good position......BUT, rather than throw the ball inside, LO swings the ball to the other side"
I'm glad there are people who actually watch and pay attention to the games. LO passes into Bynum in the post very rarely, it's almost always swung to the other side.
This is completely wasted clock. If it's not going inside to Bynum, then just "start" the offense on the Kobe side and go from there.
I'm not sure why this happens repeatedly. I wonder if our players have the ability to make that pass to the inside. Are they fearful of the turnover?? What is it? Do they feel they need to remove some time off the clock first? Or do they just lack the skill to make that pass? I don't get it.
Peter,
I'd give Kobe some credit, but certainly not all of it. I think just being around the Capt & KB probably would rub off on him already. I also think the parking lot video added more spark, igniting the fire, and let's hope it keeps burning hot!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 04, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Edwin Gueco,
>>>So just where do you wish to trade LO? Not with Knicks to get Stephon
Are you sure? Even if the deal included the Lakers getting back David Lee and a first round pick?
I agree with you, I wouldn't do the deal if Stephon was the main piece coming back. But I think it would
be worth suffering a year of Marbury and 40 million in salary to get David Lee and a lottery pick next
summer.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 04, 2007 at 05:16 PM
LAL_Fan,
>>Violator,
>>
>>Take a look at hoopshype.com. Lakers will have next season more than 61M in garanteed contracts
>>and unless they are trading LO for expiring one it's not going to happened.
Very true. But trading away Cook's contract was a step in the right direction. If the Lakers did trade
Lamar for an expiring contract (e.g. Antawn Jamison), then they'd have about 15 million in cap space
next summer.
The problem is that any of their own free agents they wanted to re-sign would have to come out of that
money in addition to any new free agents. So if they wanted to keep any of Turiaf, Kwame, Ariza, or
Vujacic, the first year of their salaries has to come out of that 15 million in addition to anyone they add.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 04, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Hey,
Lately the blog is making me type in a 6-letter confirmation to post. It says it's to prevent
automated robots from posting. I wonder how Mike T's posts get through.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 04, 2007 at 05:41 PM
I don't like it but a LO for artest trade is looking good as long as he doesn't get suspended for a bunch of games for protecting kobe or bynum
Posted by: haha | December 04, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Timmy
Yes, let's meet at the game. I'll contact the K brothers for your info.
We need to WIN one in Denver!
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 05, 2007 at 06:01 AM
AK/BK
Can I get Tim-4-Show's email address? Thanks,
Hugo Boss
Posted by: Hugo Boss | December 05, 2007 at 06:03 AM
AN OBSERVATION AND A SUGGESTION FROM JAY JAY
Observation - I was reading an article about the nine possible Western Conference playoff teams in my local paper (the SF Chronicle) the other day. When describing the Lakers it said "other than Kobe this is a painfully ordinary roster and everyone there knows it." I'll just let that speak for itself without further comment.
Suggestion - the Pacers aren't happy with their PG situation. Why not throw Farmar into the "Odom and Kwame for JO" offer we've been making? We could take Shawnee Williams back to balance salaries. Yes I know the kid is playing brilliantly, but we do have Critt waiting in the wings who I think will be even better. And if that allows us to pull the trigger for JO without losing Bynum, I say go for it! A Bynum/JO/Luke/Kobe/Fish lineup makes us instant contenders.
Posted by: Jay Jay | December 05, 2007 at 09:36 AM