Bynum: Can't wait to be the Best and the focal point on this squad

[LeHeat_Dynasty]

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/andrew-bynum-sets-sights-on-being-nbas-best-center/



"Of course. Of course,'' Bynum said in an interview with FanHouse following the Lakers' 107-97 win at Denver on Friday. "I just need to get the opportunity to do something like that. I believe that (he can be the best).''

So what's the second thing the six-year man must do to reach his lofty goal? To borrow from another guy who has played in Los Angeles, former USC Trojan Keyshawn Johnson: "Just Give Me the Damn Ball.''

"I just got to get an opportunity to kind of be a focal point on this squad,'' said Bynum, who had 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes against the Nuggets while outplaying Nuggets center Nene, an All-Star candidate who had nine points, seven rebounds and no blocks in 35 minutes. "That's the only way to find out really (how good Bynum can be).''

Bynum was asked when he believes that must happen.

"Hopefully, it happens eventually. Soon,'' he said.

"He looks great,'' Bryant said. "He's moving very well. He's being more aggressive because he's feeling a lot better.''

Bynum will feel even better if he starts getting the ball more.

[LeHeat_Dynasty]

Serious question, if he can stay healthy, does anyone see him being the best Center or leading the lakers to a championship, with Kobe and Pau being 2nd and 3rd options in the near future?

[Ghazi]

NB:lol = F:lolcked

[Koolaid_Man]

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/andrew-bynum-sets-sights-on-being-nbas-best-center/



"Of course. Of course,'' Bynum said in an interview with FanHouse following the Lakers' 107-97 win at Denver on Friday. "I just need to get the opportunity to do something like that. I believe that (he can be the best).''

So what's the second thing the six-year man must do to reach his lofty goal? To borrow from another guy who has played in Los Angeles, former USC Trojan Keyshawn Johnson: "Just Give Me the Damn Ball.''

"I just got to get an opportunity to kind of be a focal point on this squad,'' said Bynum, who had 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 27 minutes against the Nuggets while outplaying Nuggets center Nene, an All-Star candidate who had nine points, seven rebounds and no blocks in 35 minutes. "That's the only way to find out really (how good Bynum can be).''

Bynum was asked when he believes that must happen.

"Hopefully, it happens eventually. Soon,'' he said.

"He looks great,'' Bryant said. "He's moving very well. He's being more aggressive because he's feeling a lot better.''

Bynum will feel even better if he starts getting the ball more.

Once he commits to the defensive end Kobe will think about it...until then it's closed for discussion well at least until Dwight becomes a free agent then we'll showcase his skills...:lol

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Kobe will never let Bynum get ahead of him..

What happened the last time Bynum was beasting and looking like a potential #1/2?..

hXSmv8LCPcc

[Venti Quattro]

Drew has the right mindset and has been playing well so far. Just hoping that his growth as a player continues

[Koolaid_Man]

:lol Kobe will never let Bynum get ahead of him..

What happened the last time Bynum was beasting and looking like a potential #1/2?..

hXSmv8LCPcc


You know I'm sure you can find a blow-up doll of Lebron online...with the open hole in the mouth and one in the ass...you should even be able to pump the plastic dick with milk or some shit and squirt it all over your face...I think it even floats so you can definitely take it to the pool with you and get it wet...

[ChrisRichards]

Agree with Harlem. Would be a cold day in hell before Kobe passes the torch to anyone in that Laker team. And Kool, what's with all the gay remarks bro? You like the cock do you.

[21_Blessings]

Hey shitbirds, he isn't demanding to the be 1st option. He just wants more shots than the me-first scrub guards off the bench. Not gonna name names or anything.

[Killakobe81]

You know I'm sure you can find a blow-up doll of Lebron online...with the open hole in the mouth and one in the ass...you should even be able to pump the plastic dick with milk or some shit and squirt it all over your face...I think it even floats so you can definitely take it to the pool with you and get it wet...

LOL ...:lol

[Killakobe81]

Agree with Harlem. Would be a cold day in hell before Kobe passes the torch to anyone in that Laker team. And Kool, what's with all the gay remarks bro? You like the cock do you.

Really? YOU agree with harlem? the two biggest Lebron nuthuggers on here? BIG MF'n surprise!

[nkdlunch]

too bad the lakers won't even smell WCF this year

[bus driver]

Hey shitbirds, he isn't demanding to the be 1st option. He just wants more shots than the me-first scrub guards off the bench. Not gonna name names or anything.

works for me.
the fakers should give bum more shots. :lmao
i am sure it will work out well for you all

[ChrisRichards]

Really? YOU agree with harlem? the two biggest Lebron nuthuggers on here? BIG MF'n surprise!
He Killa! I'm a Wade kinda guy first so we dont really belong in the same group.


I think Bynum can definitely put Superstar numbers but Kobe has to give, and in LA, Kobe doesn't just give even when he's having a spectacular 6/24 shooting night on the most imprtant game of his life.


Chris

[jmill]

I think Bynum can definitely put Superstar numbers but Kobe has to give, and in LA, Kobe doesn't just give even when he's having a spectacular 6/24 shooting night on the most important game of his life.


Chris

Actually this is wrong, and Kobe did give in the most important game of his life.

With 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 of the finals, the Lakers were down by 13 points. Kobe was 3-18 from the field. Awful. Just awful shooting. The rest of the team was shooting a combined 27%. That's right, everyone else was doing terrible too. Just a brutal game all around.

What happened next? The rest of the team started making shots, and Kobe Bryant stopped shooting all of the sudden. He scored 8 points on 18 shots in the first 28 minutes(ugh). He had 6 shots the rest of the way, scoring 15 points on 3-6 shooting.

You'll notice there was a correlation between Kobe shooting less once the rest of the team started shooting better.

That's what's so great, for all his faults ( and he certainly has some), in the most important game of his life with the game on the line, he played team ball. He stopped chucking, played defense, grabbed a bunch of rebounds, attacked the rim, and played within the offense. In short, he did exactly what you thought he wouldn't. And the Lakers won the championship.

If it makes you feel any better though, the Heat are pretty sick and should win plenty of championships over the next 10 years or so. So you can chill with the irrational bias towards Kobe a little bit.

[Kyle Orton]

works for me.
the fakers should give bum more shots. :lmao
i am sure it will work out well for you all

Given that Bynum is shooting 57% from the field, more shots for him probably would work out better for LA.

[jmill]

works for me.
the fakers should give bum more shots. :lmao
i am sure it will work out well for you all

Probably not the best way to go if you're wanting to hate on Bynum. He's just been really efficient shooting the ball. Best just to make fun of him for being a pussy and getting hurt all the time.

[ChrisRichards]

Actually this is wrong, and Kobe did give in the most important game of his life.

With 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 of the finals, the Lakers were down by 13 points. Kobe was 3-18 from the field. Awful. Just awful shooting. The rest of the team was shooting a combined 27%. That's right, everyone else was doing terrible too. Just a brutal game all around.

What happened next? The rest of the team started making shots, and Kobe Bryant stopped shooting all of the sudden. He scored 8 points on 18 shots in the first 28 minutes(ugh). He had 6 shots the rest of the way, scoring 15 points on 3-6 shooting.

You'll notice there was a correlation between Kobe shooting less once the rest of the team started shooting better.

That's what's so great, for all his faults ( and he certainly has some), in the most important game of his life with the game on the line, he played team ball. He stopped chucking, played defense, grabbed a bunch of rebounds, attacked the rim, and played within the offense. In short, he did exactly what you thought he wouldn't. And the Lakers won the championship.

If it makes you feel any better though, the Heat are pretty sick and should win plenty of championships over the next 10 years or so. So you can chill with the irrational bias towards Kobe a little bit.

Actually, I like Kobe. Anyway, its all about perspective, would you agree? We can put it this way too. Kobe had a horrible shooting night, that much is true, but Gasol was having a better night, correct? We can also say Kobe feeding the ball to Gasol or simply playing the inside-out game wouldve resulted in a beatdown considering the Celtics didn't had Perkins. The inside game was supposed to be easy and it was, but Kobe decided he wants to play super hero until Fisher finally calmed him down. As soon as Fisher told him to stop forcing it, Kobe backed down and Ron Artest continued with his hot shooting streak, Gasol had a better game and the Lakers won their second championship.


See, I thought Kobe's Game 7 against the Celtics was a perfect illustration of his career. He's always been the guy who puts personal glory above team success and when things fall through the cracks, Kobe relies on his teammates to bail him out. Shaq did this for him for three straight years, Gasol in 2009 and Artest in 2010. Kobe is the only SuperStar in the league that always need saving. You can never say the same for Magic, Bird, Jordan, Olajuwon, Jordan and Duncan.


I'm not a hater, I even have a Kobe's poster in our garage. But I'm just being real.

[Gutter92]

You know I'm sure you can find a blow-up doll of Lebron online...with the open hole in the mouth and one in the ass...you should even be able to pump the plastic dick with milk or some shit and squirt it all over your face...I think it even floats so you can definitely take it to the pool with you and get it wet...

What does LeBron have to do with the topic at hand here? SMH at you bringing him into every discussion...with homosexual references, as per usual.

[jmill]

Actually, I like Kobe. Anyway, its all about perspective, would you agree? We can put it this way too. Kobe had a horrible shooting night, that much is true, but Gasol was having a better night, correct? We can also say Kobe feeding the ball to Gasol or simply playing the inside-out game wouldve resulted in a beatdown considering the Celtics didn't had Perkins. The inside game was supposed to be easy and it was, but Kobe decided he wants to play super hero until Fisher finally calmed him down. As soon as Fisher told him to stop forcing it, Kobe backed down and Ron Artest continued with his hot shooting streak.


I thought Kobe's Game 7 against the Celtics was a perfect illustration of his career. He's always been the guy who puts personal glory above team success and when things fall through the cracks, Kobe relies on his teammates to bail him out. Shaq did this for him for three straight years, Gasol in 2009 and Artest in 2010. Kobe is the only SuperStar in the league that always need saving. You can never say the same for Magic, Bird, Jordan, Olajuwon, Jordan and Duncan.

This is actually a reasonable post, but re: the bolded, I think it's a shame to put it that way. As a basketball fan if you watch him in the 2nd half I think it's hard not to appreciate it. He just played really well. Saying he got bailed out is wrong to me.

Oh and about this


Kobe had a horrible shooting night, that much is true, but Gasol was having a better night, correct? We can also say Kobe feeding the ball to Gasol or simply playing the inside-out game wouldve resulted in a beatdown considering the Celtics didn't had Perkins.

Gasol was bad too man. Think about the stat again, the Lakers WITHOUT Kobe were shooting 27% as a team. They were just really bad. Gasol was 3-10 at halftime, and 6-16 for the game, and he's playing the position that's supposed to have a higher FG% with low variance. I will however acknowledge that yes, Kobe was taking some stupid shots, and he hurts the team sometimes by trying too hard to take over when his shot just isn't there. I have no problem criticizing his play at times.

And Fisher wasn't what calmed him down, I'm sorry. I watch the game every once in a while (heh), and it wasn't a pep talk that did it, Kobe just immediately starts playing different once the other guys start hitting some shots.

[ChrisRichards]

Jmill, you don't post a lot but when you do, I noticed you're one of the more logical Lakers fan in this site, so I'll give you the benefit of a doubt, because I'm sure you paid more attention to all the details of the game, when I saw it, all I remember from it was Kobe missing some ridiculous contested shots (some were wide open), Artest hitting some unreal shots, Kobe grabbing a lot of boards and Artest manhandling Paul Pierce. My Fisher reference came from other Lakers fan, whther its made up or not, I'd leave it to them.

[jmill]

Jmill, you don't post a lot but when you do, I noticed you're one of the more logical Lakers fan in this site, so I'll give you the benefit of a doubt, because I'm sure you paid more attention to all the details of the game, when I saw it, all I remember from it was Kobe missing some ridiculous contested shots (some were wide open), Artest hitting some unreal shots, Kobe grabbing a lot of boards and Artest manhandling Paul Pierce. My Fisher reference came from other Lakers fan, whther its made up or not, I'd leave it to them.

Yea, I hear ya. I mean we're probably not going to see eye to eye on everything in that game, but Kobe definitely missed some ridiculous contested shots in that game that he had no business taking. The first half was mostly me yelling at the tv "WTF ARE YOU DOING", although to be fair, I was saying it at everyone else too. :bang

[ambchang]

Actually this is wrong, and Kobe did give in the most important game of his life.

With 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 of the finals, the Lakers were down by 13 points. Kobe was 3-18 from the field. Awful. Just awful shooting. The rest of the team was shooting a combined 27%. That's right, everyone else was doing terrible too. Just a brutal game all around.

What happened next? The rest of the team started making shots, and Kobe Bryant stopped shooting all of the sudden. He scored 8 points on 18 shots in the first 28 minutes(ugh). He had 6 shots the rest of the way, scoring 15 points on 3-6 shooting.

You'll notice there was a correlation between Kobe shooting less once the rest of the team started shooting better.

That's what's so great, for all his faults ( and he certainly has some), in the most important game of his life with the game on the line, he played team ball. He stopped chucking, played defense, grabbed a bunch of rebounds, attacked the rim, and played within the offense. In short, he did exactly what you thought he wouldn't. And the Lakers won the championship.

If it makes you feel any better though, the Heat are pretty sick and should win plenty of championships over the next 10 years or so. So you can chill with the irrational bias towards Kobe a little bit.

I also find a correlation in how only Kobe can make 3 shots for 8 points in 3 quarters, then make 3 shots for 15 points in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 of a finals. Can't find another person, and more importantly, another team, who can will himself to the line in elimination games.

[j.dizzle]

Bynum has a certain swagger now & has matured a ton. I used to think he didnt really care about basketball because he was so young & rich but I can see a big difference in his body language from the past year. Im just hoping he keeps getting stronger & doesnt worry about his past injuries. If he's healthy in the playoffs he should average atleast 12-15 shots a game. Same with Pau

[Rummpd]

Bynum looks right now like he might eat his way into Jerome Jones, Eddy Curry and other bigs that got to heavy - this guy has all the talent and potential in the world but for some reason I am not convinced that he will ever be as great as he could be with or without injuries.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrew_bynum/index.html

[Baron Davιs]

Actually, I like Kobe. Anyway, See, I thought Kobe's Game 7 against the Celtics was a perfect illustration of his career. He's always been the guy who puts personal glory above team success and when things fall through the cracks, I'm not a hater, I even have a Kobe's poster in our garage. But I'm just being real.
Who takes this series? Am I crazy to believe that Lebron and his Cavaliers would beat Jordan's Bulls?
Face it Kobe is much more concerned of winning a scoring title than helping his teammates prepare and condition themselves in the regular season I think come June, if the Lakers gets past the Suns or denver, Lebron will be hoisting an NBA Finals MVP trophy and it would officially put an end to any debate on whose better between Kobe or Lebron. :toast

[ChrisRichards]

Thanks for the quotes Baron Davis. Lebron is still the better player, but Kobe has the better team.



I still think Lebron and last years CAVS can beat the 97-98 Bulls as long as Bron's teammates shows up.

[21_Blessings]

Bynum looks right now like he might eat his way into Jerome Jones, Eddy Curry and other bigs that got to heavy - this guy has all the talent and potential in the world but for some reason I am not convinced that he will ever be as great as he could be with or without injuries.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrew_bynum/index.html

You're basketball illiterate.

[Kyle Orton]

Why do people talk shit about Bynum's eating habits as if he has a weight problem. Other than the cold cereal thing when he was an 18 year old living away from home for the first time with no idea how to cook or make his own decisions his weight/eating habits have been fine. The hate this guy receives is ridiculous.

[Rummpd]

You're basketball illiterate.


Since you are such a self appointed genius!


Some questions:

First why was this said?

"Andrew's heavy. He's a muscular kid, but I don't think he's overweight per se. But he could probably stand to lose 10 pounds and be lighter and have less of a load to carry.''

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/andrew-bynum-brimming-with-potential-slowly-works-into-shape/

Moreover,

1) If he universally thought of as so damm good (I did not say he could not potentially be at least very good by the way!) or such a lock to be so great - why are Laker's dreaming of a sign and trade for the less injury prone but shorter, D. Howard?
2) Why is his PER less than "old man" Duncan's in Hollinger's rating as a center, even though Duncan - like Bynum is not prominently featured in the team's offense? http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/c/league/west
3) Why is this a common thread?
http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1057216


"A guy carries around the underrated tag for so long, he becomes overrated—or, in Wallace's particular case, wildly, perplexingly overrated. (Note: This has just happened to Andrew Bynum.)" http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3863472

"Andrew Bynum: Overrated. Possibly the most overrated player in the league. He is a good rebounder at best. While he is young, his ceiling may have already been reached. And his health is always a big issue."

"Is this the season when Andrew Bynum finally lives up to his potential?"

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Biggest-question-facing-each-NBA-team-as-training-camps-begin-092710

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/434723-lakes-are-overrated-underrated


Bottom line = I personally do not agree he is over-rated just that he has not lived up to his potential. He still could be damm good and have a career that while not as great as Shaq's* could be a very fine one and keeping the weight off could potentially help in that regard.


*I had the privelege of meeting and watching young Shaq as a high school player when I was a sports medicine doctor for Cole H.S. and when young he had a body earilly similar to Bynum's today = then became much heavier. As great as Shaq was he could have been even better IMO for a longer period - if he had played more years as a leaner Shaq.


I personally do hope he does stay healthy (like I also hope Oden and Yao both return for the good of the league) and IMO Bynum if he does stay healthy, could well become a solid 18 PPG and 10 player or so and a legit all star for years - but I also believe his keeping his weight down as much as possible would only probably help him in the long run by reducing the load on his joints and plausibly the risk of subsequent injuries.

[silverblk mystix]

Actually this is wrong, and Kobe did give in the most important game of his life.

With 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 of the finals, the Lakers were down by 13 points. Kobe was 3-18 from the field. Awful. Just awful shooting. The rest of the team was shooting a combined 27%. That's right, everyone else was doing terrible too. Just a brutal game all around.

What happened next? The rest of the team started making shots, and Kobe Bryant stopped shooting all of the sudden. He scored 8 points on 18 shots in the first 28 minutes(ugh). He had 6 shots the rest of the way, scoring 15 points on 3-6 shooting.

You'll notice there was a correlation between Kobe shooting less once the rest of the team started shooting better.

That's what's so great, for all his faults ( and he certainly has some), in the most important game of his life with the game on the line, he played team ball. He stopped chucking, played defense, grabbed a bunch of rebounds, attacked the rim, and played within the offense. In short, he did exactly what you thought he wouldn't. And the Lakers won the championship.

If it makes you feel any better though, the Heat are pretty sick and should win plenty of championships over the next 10 years or so. So you can chill with the irrational bias towards Kobe a little bit.


The REAL summary of that game was this;

Lakers were shooting for shit and were getting manhandled on their homecourt...

the last 20 minutes of the game the lakers were GIFTED 25 free throws...

result *championship!

you are corrct in the time , though...8 minutes left in the 3rd qtr--lakers DOWN by 13 points...

8 minutes of the 3rd qtr

plus 12 minutes of the 4th= 20 MINUTES...

20 MINUTES= 25 free throws

[jjktkk]

Since you are such a self appointed genius!


Some questions:

First why was this said?

"Andrew's heavy. He's a muscular kid, but I don't think he's overweight per se. But he could probably stand to lose 10 pounds and be lighter and have less of a load to carry.''

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/andrew-bynum-brimming-with-potential-slowly-works-into-shape/

Moreover,

1) If he universally thought of as so damm good (I did not say he could not potentially be at least very good by the way!) or such a lock to be so great - why are Laker's dreaming of a sign and trade for the less injury prone but shorter, D. Howard?
2) Why is his PER less than "old man" Duncan's in Hollinger's rating as a center, even though Duncan - like Bynum is not prominently featured in the team's offense? http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/c/league/west
3) Why is this a common thread?
http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1057216


"A guy carries around the underrated tag for so long, he becomes overrated—or, in Wallace's particular case, wildly, perplexingly overrated. (Note: This has just happened to Andrew Bynum.)" http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3863472

"Andrew Bynum: Overrated. Possibly the most overrated player in the league. He is a good rebounder at best. While he is young, his ceiling may have already been reached. And his health is always a big issue."

"Is this the season when Andrew Bynum finally lives up to his potential?"

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Biggest-question-facing-each-NBA-team-as-training-camps-begin-092710

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/434723-lakes-are-overrated-underrated


Bottom line = I personally do not agree he is over-rated just that he has not lived up to his potential. He still could be damm good and have a career that while not as great as Shaq's* could be a very fine one and keeping the weight off could potentially help in that regard.


*I had the privelege of meeting and watching young Shaq as a high school player when I was a sports medicine doctor for Cole H.S. and when young he had a body earilly similar to Bynum's today = then became much heavier. As great as Shaq was he could have been even better IMO for a longer period - if he had played more years as a leaner Shaq.


I personally do hope he does stay healthy (like I also hope Oden and Yao both return for the good of the league) and IMO Bynum if he does stay healthy, could well become a solid 18 PPG and 10 player or so and a legit all star for years - but I also believe his keeping his weight down as much as possible would only probably help him in the long run by reducing the load on his joints and plausibly the risk of subsequent injuries.

Rummpd with the goods. :tu