No surprise that talk of Andrew Bynum's contract extension dominated conversation at practice Friday afternoon in El Segundo.  Bynum certainly was in a good mood (wouldn't you be?), and both Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak seemed pleased that both parties were able to reach an agreement- one that worked well for both the organization and Bynum for the reasons we've talked about on the site- and that the contract won't over the season.  That said, now that the ink is dry, PJ made it perfectly clear that Bynum has work to do:

"He's being paid on his potential.  That's what we see- his potential as a player in the NBA.  Accordingly, we want him to meet that potential."

On the one hand, Bynum is still the same guy who hasn't played a full season as a starter, who is coming off a major knee injury, who is still a in many ways a "learner," to use a term PJ often employs.  Today, I saw him working with Kurt Rambis on the perimeter shot we've seen him try a few times this season.  It was very much a teaching moment, with Rambis drilling Bynum on proper form, at one point asking Vlad Radmanovic to hoist up a shot in demonstration.  On the other, he's no longer figuratively  part of the team's present and future, but financially as well.   

Nothing about Bynum's skill and development has changed in the last 24 hours, but the context is different. It'll be interesting to see how fans react.  Click below to see the video from today.

BK

As AK and I discussed on our second podcast for 710 ESPN.com (that was seamless, don't you think?), there are a few issues that go along with the Bynum extension that don't have to do necessarily with Bynum himself.  I've already written that I like the terms for both sides, but obviously there is impact for the team long term. 

• The Lakers get some certainty in the budget, which could help them plan for the next major moves on the horizon.  I don't think wrapping Bynum up now fundamentally changes anything (any forecasts for the future undoubtedly factored in money for him already), but it does allow a higher degree of precision.  That's never a bad thing.
• Regarding Kobe, could having Bynum wrapped up for the next few years influence his decision to stay once he opts out this summer, as I'm sure he will?  I guess, but I don't think he thought Drew was going anywhere, anyway.  The interesting thing will be if Kobe takes a little less than he otherwise might to make it easier to re-sign members of the supporting cast... like Trevor Ariza (also represented by David Lee, for what it's worth). 
• Whether or not this roster stays together in its current form really isn't affected by the timing of the transaction, even with the savings gained from reaching an agreement now rather than this summer.  Had they waited, the Lakers would still be well over the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds.  It really is a question of how much money Dr. Buss is willing to spend to keep the group intact.  That number, of course, could very well be linked to the success of this year's team.  One more reason for fans to pull for a title. 
• Freeing up money by trading players on the team, whether Luke, Odom, or anyone else, isn't an easy task.  Remember, because the Lakers are over the cap, they can't shed salary without taking it on in return. 
• Bottom line, the Lakers now know, assuming Kobe re-ups, that the core of the team will be together for a while. 

Just some stuff to chew on.

BK

In the minds of most observers, there wasn't much question that a deal would get done, only when and for how much.  Thursday, we learned the answer as Andrew Bynum and the Lakers reached an agreement on a contract extension that will keep him in LA for at least three more seasons, likely a fourth if all goes well.  The terms: Three years at about $42 million, and a team option for one more at a cool $16 mil, bringing the potential value of the deal to just under $58 million.  Not bad for a kid who just turned 21.  Financially, the deal represents a compromise from both sides.  Camp Bynum (where AK once spent a summer teaching arts and crafts) wanted more money, the Lakers offered less, they met in the middle, developing a shorter deal that has advantages for both sides.  The Lakers mitigate any lingering risk of signing a still unproven-over-the-long-haul player for a big money deal, Bynum gets to hit the market again at least a year sooner. 

Everyone's a winner, says Mitch Kupchak.  Bynum is certainly happy.

The externals look good on Bynum, writes Mark Heisler.  He's shown professionalism and even temperedness, changed his body, and displayed a solid work ethic.  That, and he changes how the Lakers operate defensively.  Still, there are those who believe the Lakers rushed into a deal they didn't need to make.  Take Bill Plaschke, for example:

We've spoken about it on the blog, you've written about it in the comments, others have picked up the theme, but every so often it's worth pointing out how quickly fortunes have changed for the Lakers.  Here is the box score from Game 5 of the 2007 first-round series against Phoenix.  Now I present last night's box, from L.A.'s paste job of the Clips. 

On every level, from improvements on the roster (Gasol for Kwame, Fish for Smush, Ariza for Mo Evans -- no disrespect to Mo, whom I like as a player), to growth from within (Bynum, Sasha, Farmar), to increased health (Mihm, Vlade), it's borderline shocking how fast they've gone from a fringe playoff team to a Finals favorite.  As the Laker faithful bask in the early season glow, it's easy to forget that it wasn't too long ago that things weren't so rosy. 

BK

REMEMBER TO SIGN YOUR NAME!!!

If anyone has wondered why their posts haven't gone through lately, in nine out of 10 cases, it's likely because it was written without a signature.  As we've mentioned before, unless by accident, BK and I won't push an anonymous post.  Just house rules and nothing we're "upset" about, especially since I'm guessing these omissions haven't been intentional to begin with.  That said, we've had an unusually big run of them lately.  Always double check and make sure you've left a name somewhere.

Thanks.

AK

The LAT's Mike Bresnahan reports that the Lakers and Andrew Bynum have reached agreement on a contract extension: 

The Lakers and Andrew Bynum have agreed in principle on a four-year contract extension worth about $58 million, keeping their center of the future in the fold through the 2012-13 season, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who would not speak publicly.

Bynum, who will make $2.8 million this season, will earn close to $42 million over the first three years of his contract extension. The fourth year will be a team option for about $16 million...

Basically, management and Camp Bynum met in the middle to find some harmony - the Lakers giving more money than originally proposed, Bynum accepting a shorter deal for less than the max that mitigates the team's risk, but to his benefit could get him back on the free-agent market quicker.  In the end, both sides ought to come out feeling good about the deal, Bynum especially.  $42 million guaranteed is a lot of money. $58, if the option is picked up?  Well, that's even more. 

For the Lakers, assuming Drew is what they, and most writers and fans, think he is, this is money very well spent.  There is some risk -- Bynum is yet to finish a full NBA season as a starter -- but given that they can get out of the deal in three years should things turn sour, it's a very reasonable, relatively low-risk gamble for the organization.  While I always believed long term Bynum wasn't going anywhere, I'm a little surprised an agreement was reached before the Halloween deadline and thought Bynum would enter restricted free agency this off-season, but clearly once the terms and perameters were adjusted, it was easier to reach a deal.

UPDATE: More news below!!! but this is the story that will dominate conversation.

BK

Tuesday, the Lakers kicked off the 2008-09 season with a 20 point win over the Portland Trail Blazers.  Wednesday night at Staples, the Lakers nearly doubled up, blowing the Clippers off their "home" court in front of their "home" fans- there was plenty of purple in the crowd and noise when the Lakers scored- for their second win of the year, 117-79.  That's two wins in two games by a combined 58 points.  We're talking serious smack down territory.  I can guarantee that things won't be this easy all season long, but if the Lakers wanted to show people that all the preseason hype directed their way was deserved, they're off to a good start. 

The formula for Wednesday's win was similar to the opener.  Strong defense, great balance, with contributions up and down the lineup.

Click below for the breakdown. 

Okay.  Hey folks. As we mentioned, we'll try the new software for this and see how it goes. If the Lakers only win by 14, don't blame it on the format.

Interesting post from Kevin Arnovitz over at Clipper Blog, in which he discusses the virtues of the triangle and one way for the Clippers to go after the Lakers tonight:

The principle brilliance of the Triangle Offense lies in the number of potential options it produces for its practitioners. Every momentary stand by the defense triggers several different offensive counters, which is why it’s so difficult to defend.  It’s like Whack-a-Mole as basketball.  And it’s particularly tough now that the Lakers are fielding a guy at each position who can execute each of those options. Every notable player on the Lakers’ roster can pass the ball, put it on the floor, shoot it from some reasonable distance – Bynum notwithstanding -- and every guy has the wherewithal to know where he’s most useful on the floor at any given moment.  Sure, Vladimir Radmanovic has the occasional outage – and his moments are always brilliantly spectacular in their visual absurdity – but he generally understands space.  Everyone else is fluent. 

So how do you beat them?   

The best option is physical brutality.  The Lakers generally appear least comfortable in their offense when their opponents are banging them around as they move from spot to spot. When that happens, they settle for contested jumpers. 

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Remember, Purple Gold and Blue at 11 am!  Listen right here on the blog page, or join the chat board (we take callers!) by clicking here.

If what they say about first impressions is true, then the Lakers are in very good shape.  Tuesday night at Staples, the purple and gold kicked off the 2008-09 season with an impressive 96-76 win over Portland, and while the highly anticipated Andrew Bynum-Greg Oden matchup didn't really factor as the big Portland center left early with another injury, the Lakers, so sayeth the box score, displayed all the depth, increased athleticism and versatility folks were hoping to see as they try to undo the damage from Game 6 (if we have to tell you which Game 6, you haven't been paying attention).  Looks like the LA-Portland Rivalry 2.0 isn't quite up to speed just yet. 

But for all the nice passes and good shots - there were plenty of both - the biggest mark the Lakers left was on defense.  They completely choked off the Portland attack, holding the Blazers to under 35% from the floor in each of the first three quarters, as the visitors entered the final frame with only 53 points on the board.  It was the tight D that had everyone buzzing after the victory streamers came down from the rafters, a great start for a team with very high expectations and little room for error.

Of course, if you didn't see all the action, you can get the gist with our new video recaps (patent pending...) below.