Reply With Quote
Andrew Bynum, who has yet to play a full adult season
The Big Bynum/Kareem Breakup
SportingNews
About a year ago, Andrew Bynum signed a sizable extension; last summer, they won an NBA le with him in the rotation. Ergo, Bynum has arrived, and he no longer needs the tutelage of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
That reasoning is a little glib, but Bynum's decided he doesn't need Kareem no more. And it would appear the breakup was one-sided. From Inside SoCal:
Abdul-Jabbar expressed disappointment in Bynum and the situation, saying that "I think there are things that have to do with basketball that he could learn but he's getting on in years.''
Bynum said he understood his mentor's feelings, but that it's not personal and just a natural evolution for him in his career. "I understand where he's coming from,'' Bynum said. "It's definitely tough (for him). As of right now, I have my direction and he's still helping me. As long as he doesn't stop helping me everything is going to be fine.''
Kareem's made no secret of his head-coach aspirations; it's pretty much acknowledged that the supreme center's independent streak and outspoken personality have stood in his way, and at this point, inertia might be his worst enemy. But now Andrew Bynum, who has yet to play a full adult season, and is anything but a finished product, doesn't need him? That's not just cold, it's stupid.
I don't entirely understand the point of these Hall of Fame mentors. Patrick Ewing worked with Yao in Houston, and now Dwight Howard. Yao understood the game pretty well already, minus the aggression part; Howard, as we saw in the playoffs, still hasn't gotten the message about offensive effectiveness.
At least Ewing gets to sit on the bench and wear a tie. KAJ watches from the stands because … I don't know, I think he said it gives him a better angle from which to watch his star pupil. I always took it as a lack of respect, possibly from someone within the Lakers organization. With Bynum brushing him off, and the team allowing it to go through—not only is Kareem getting his feelings hurt, he's being slighted as a valuable basketball resource.
*********************
The Inside SoCal piece.
Has Bynum outgrown Kareem?
By Ramona Shelburne
Has Andrew Bynum outgrown Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
For four years the relationship between the NBA's all-time leading scorer and Bynum seemed to be a productive one.
Abdul-Jabbar took Bynum under his considerable wing, taught him post skills and footwork, while Bynum listened and grew into one of the brightest young centers in the NBA.
But that relationship now seems to be running its course, at least as far as Bynum is concerned.
Sources close to the team said that Abdul-Jabbar will be playing a lesser role with both the Lakers and Bynum this season.
With his round-the-clock tutoring of Bynum not needed as much, sources said Abdul-Jabbar would likely spend less time with the team and more time back in his hometown of New York City.
All of which seems to be a considerable letdown for the former Lakers captain, who has worked closely with Bynum since the Lakers drafted him out of high school in 2005.
Abdul-Jabbar expressed disappointment in Bynum and the situation, saying that "I think there are things that have to do with basketball that he could learn but he's getting on in years.''
Bynum said he understood his mentor's feelings, but that it's not personal and just a natural evolution for him in his career.
"I understand where he's coming from,'' Bynum said. "It's definitely tough (for him). As of right now, I have my direction and he's still helping me. As long as he doesn't stop helping me everything is going to be fine.''
Over the summer, the two had no contact.
Bynum said that was because he spent only about a week and a half in Los Angeles following the Lakers championship parade on June 17th.
After that, he took a 41-day vacation in Europe and Asia, then went back to Atlanta for a month and a half to work with his personal trainer, Sean Zarzana.
He travelled through Europe with friends, backpacking and riding on trains just like a typical 21-year old kid who just graduated from college.
"I went all over, we did a whole bunch of sightseeing,'' Bynum said. "I loved it. My favorite city was Rome. Just the history there, and the art is unbelievable.''
While Abdul-Jabbar expressed disappointment that Bynum was away from basketball for so long, Bynum said it was needed break both personally and professionally.
He also skipped the USA Basketball senior national camp in late July. Though he did not seem upset, Lakers coach Phil Jackson acknowledged Thursday that the team had encouraged Bynum to participate in the camp so he could get more experience on the court.
Bynum said that doctors had advised him to rest his knees, which he has injured in two consecutive seasons.
"I had to take the time off for my knee,'' Bynum said. "I feel different, the rest definitely helped me out because it allowed everything to calm down.''
When he came back to the States, he dropped his things off in Los Angeles and headed out to Atlanta to work with Zarzana.
"We did a lot of track and legs. Not very much upper body,'' Bynum said. "Other summers I came back a bit bigger up top. My legs were strong, but they aren't like they are right now. Right now I feel very good, I'm definitely in shape.''
In other summers, Bynum had returned to Los Angeles before training camp began at the end of September and worked with Abdul-Jabbar on his basketball skills.
This year, Abdul-Jabbar said the first time he saw Bynum was at media day on Tuesday morning, the same day training camp began.
"He's got to figure it out,'' Abdul-Jabbar said. "Maybe he feels that there are things to be gained by doing it his way. So he's going to try it his way. I'm available for him, he knows that.''
Bynum said he still intends to work with Abdul-Jabbar in practice and watch film with him, but acknowledged their work won't be as extensive as it was in the past.
Bynum is in the first year of a four-year, $57.4 million contract, which he signed last fall. He has increased his scoring in each of his first four seasons, averaging a career-high 14.3 points a game last season in 50 games.
Andrew Bynum, who has yet to play a full adult season
Foolish, and arrogant.
Complete and utter ignorance. One of the greatest C's ever is trying to help you, and because you have a lot of hype, you're too good for that.
There is a time for every person to graduate.Bynum said he understood his mentor's feelings, but that it's not personal and just a natural evolution for him in his career.
``I understand where he's coming from,'' Bynum said. ``It's definitely tough (for him). As of right now, I have my direction and he's still helping me. As long as he doesn't stop helping me everything is going to be fine.''...
``He's got to figure it out,'' Abdul-Jabbar said. ``Maybe he feels that there are things to be gained by doing it his way. So he's going to try it his way. I'm available for him,
he knows that.''
Bynum said he still intends to work with Abdul-Jabbar in practice and watch film with him, but acknowledged their work won't be as extensive as it was in the past.
Bynum didn't diss Kareem, and he still wants him as a mentor. He just doesn't want the handholding daily. I can understand that.
From what we've seen of Bynum he has what it takes when he's on. The problem is him being in shape/healthy enough to do it.
Yeah, Kobe would learn from MJ, just as he did from GP or Hakeem. But after a weekend, he'd be on his own. its been 4 years, time for the grasshopper to leave the master and
become one on his own.
Black's comment was interesting though. I wonder if Kareem publically politicing for a coaching job anywhere had anything to do with it.
But back to Bynum, he would have been in this years's draft if he went to UConn for 4 years. The Kareem learning never was going to be forever. What does he hear or get in 5 he doesn't get in 4?
Time for Bynum to grow from boy to man. And its not like Kandiman where he's cutting all ties. Kareem is still on the batphone when needed.
What a bum. Imagine Lakers drafted Granger?
Kareem wants to be a coach... He wasn't helping Bynum out of the good of his heart. He was using Bynum as a stepping stone. If any of you have ever been around Kareem, and I have, you would know who the arrogant ass is in that duo. Not many got along with him during his playing days and I have no doubt his personality is a major reason he has never elevated to higher coaching levels. Perhaps, Bynum is just sick of Kareems ? That's my guess anyway.
W/e Bynum, show me some sky hook next season or GTFO. Don't want to continue intensive training from one of the GOAT centers?
Stupid arrogant little still looks goofy every time he makes an offensive move and all the sudden he doesn't need help from the one of the all time greats?
Agreed. This kids ego is way too big for his accomplishments (or lack thereof). He better get his together.
Very often, the truly great players make terrible coaches. It's always the middle of the pack players that are the better coaches. All stars often become such because of their atheletic skills. Mediorcre players have to "think" the game more to succeed. Kareem is an arrogant ass and very difficult to be around. It's well do mented throughout his career.
Bynum graduated from Kareem's school???
You can graduate with a D?
A lot of Bynum bashers are going to eat a lot of crow this year.
You mean his ego is writing checks his body can't cash?
Oh, boy.
OK...here it goes...I'm going to give a Laker a compliment. Bynum is very athletic and has a good chance at being a DAMN good ballplayer...but when someone like Kareem offers to give you tutelage, you take that , and run with it. If you could imagine a guy like Bynum with a hook like Kareem, that would be insane.
Did any of you actually read where it said they would still be working together during practice and films? Just not as extensive as in the past?
This is all about Kareem whining and the media making it larger than it is. Nothing more.
Cool.
For Bynum to not accept Kareem helping him 24/Freaking 7 is re ed. Of course you're going to try to make it sound smaller..you're Laker fan. But the truth of the matter is, one of the greatest Centers of all time offered to help him more, and Bynum said no...that's just plain ignorant.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,5308252.story"Kareem has been an instrumental part of Andrew's development and improvement over the years, but as Andrew is entering his fifth season, there's a lesser need for such intensive work together," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "Therefore, Kareem's workload will be generally lessened."
I'm telling ya'll this has more to do with Kareem publically politicing for a job somewhere else this year than Bynum.
I know Kareem to a degree. I have worked with him. He is a condescending ass. Not many people like being around him. I don't see the Lakers being upset or saying anything about it. I see Bynum saying its all been good and will continue...just not as extensive. The only one complaining is...go figure... Kareem. Could it be he has ulterior motives? Could it be that in 4 years he has given about all he can give? Could it be that he's just not the greatest teacher? If he's so great at it why has he not received more coaching offers? Ill tell you why.... He's an arrogant ass and not well liked. It's not breaking news. He was always that way throughout his career.
Precisely why Bynum will never be an all-star.
He's 7' 3" and can walk, so of course he's going to average 12 and 10.
Care to bet on that prediction?
And he is 7'0"
Dumb post!
at all the laker apologists
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
