Andrew Bynum can multitask

By Brian Kamenetzky

Through two games against the Nuggets, it's hard to find much fault with the play of Andrew Bynum. He dominated Sunday's Game 1, hauling in 13 rebounds and with a swateriffic! 10 blocked shots (plus countless more altered (alteredariffic!)), anchoring the Lakers defense against Denver's attack. In Game 2 he wasn't as influential defensively, but finished with 27 points on the other end, plus nine boards, two assists, and two blocks.

Another honest day's work, for sure.

Still, after Bynum said he was disappointed in his game, a stance he explained again following practice Thursday afternoon. "Could have been a better performance, and you don’t get to get it back. I could have made more shots, get some more boards. That’s really it. I missed a lot of opportunities,” he said.

I think most people are willing to cut him some slack given the level of production, but the contrast in stat lines did raise the question -- and I mean that literally -- of "which Bynum" the Lakers would rather see. “I thought he played well in both games," Mike Brown said, addressing the point. "Obviously when he’s able to impact the game on both ends of the floor as much as he did in Game 1, even though he scored a whole heck of a lot more, you like that better. Realistically, I think he can do both. I think he can still impact a game defensively or control a game defensively, and he can score."

Asked the same question, Kobe Bryant said the game largely determines the performance.

“Whatever the game dictates. Game 1, because of what they were doing defensively and just the flow of the game, that’s what he did. Game 2, because just of the flow of the game, he had 27 points. It’s playing the game that’s in front of him."

There's no question Bynum has to be a presence for the Lakers to be an elite defensive team. If he must choose between domination offensively or defensively, it's a no brainer defense wins. Except why would he have to? He's frequently been both at different points throughout the season, and certainly into the first two games of the playoffs. In Game 1, Bynum didn't put up points, but was a key cog in the Lakers attack thanks to good work recognizing and passing out of double teams, leading to open shots on the perimeter. He's a big reason the Lakers were 6-of-12 from 3-point range heading into the fourth quarter, and outside shooting was a big reason the Lakers won. Tuesday, he didn't block 10 shots but still put in a pretty solid effort defensively, and took advantage of more openings at the other end, scoring efficiently on a night the Lakers needed their stars to be stars.

Bynum's game can't be expected to look the same every game, at least not judged by the stat sheet. What matters most is his level of engagement, and through two games he's been great in that regard.

When that happens, the results are usually strong.

Link: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lak ... -multitask

Funny I was just talking about this the other day, this team is currently build for bynum being the anchor of the defense and 2-3rd option, because he dang do both at the level we need him to be at, and becuase this team has a ton of scorers, we are better when bynum devotes his time to defense! Because no body can pick up the slack on def, when he is more focused on off! Not that he played bad defense in game 2 just his focus was different.....

Until Bynum can consistently dominate both ends of the floor, he can't be counted on to be a franchise player. But, like I said, for us to win this year, we just need him to play like Tyson Chandler. Chandler was a big reason the Mavs won last year.

No, Bymun has to be an offensive scorer as well as defend. You can't have your best offensive player just stick to defense. He can score 30 every night get 10 boards and 3 blocks. That's the stat line he could have if he was afforded more shots. He is our franchise player already by the way, and is living up too it big time. Just wait when Kobe has one of those 5 for 26 games and you wanting Bynum to just rebound and pass it too him results in a loss.

If Bynum would focus as hard on defense, as he does on the offensive end, we will win games where Kobe has a bad shooting game, or our bench doesnt contribute.

Look at Game 1, Bynum had 10 pts on 7 shots, and we blew out the Nuggets. Game 2, Bynum takes 20 shots, and we barely win....hmmm....is that a concidence??

As usual, you make a great point, lakerdude. Denver's centers have not really hurt the Lakers offensively so far in this series and the main reason for that is Andrew Bynum's stalwart defensive presence in the paint.

If andrew took 29 shot attempt he would have scored 50pts

DaAssasins. You really are going out of your way to ridicule Bynum and belittle him. It's pretty much just one disparaging comment about Bynum after another from you. It would be nice if you wouldn't try so hard to deny other Laker fans their enjoyment of Bynum's success. This article is offering praise and positive reinforcement of Bynum's admirable play in the post-season thus far. All you seem to have to offer is negativity, doubt, and cynicism where it regards Bynum. I had hoped our site members could show more maturity and encouragement for our players, but apparently I was wrong.

LOL. Are you kidding me here? You guys ridicule one of the Greatest Laker of all time, and I come here, and make sound analysis, backed with facts, and you say I'm immature?

Weren't you warned already about personal attacks, if you can't handle a debate with me LSD, just ignore me, until then I suggest you either stay with the debate, or layoff the personal attacks.

LOL. Are you kidding me here? You guys ridicule one of the Greatest Laker of all time, and I come here, and make sound analysis, backed with facts, and you say I'm immature?

Weren't you warned already about personal attacks, if you can't handle a debate with me LSD, just ignore me, until then I suggest you either stay with the debate, or layoff the personal attacks.

Lakeshowsd,

Yeah he is just a Bynum hater... he loves the overrated kobe dont sweat I understand them close minded...

Is that really you lsd? Lol Your posts recently remind me of lakerrrtx's, GREAT!

But I agree with you. The low blows are coming from the "Bynum lovers" and "Kobe lovers". Right now they look worse and just don't make any sense because both Bynum and Kobe are playing some very efficient and dominant basketball. What more could we as Laker fans ask for!?

Pigeonholing Bynum to Ben Wallace or Tyson Chandler status is a supreme waste of his talents. That kind of thinking is the exact reason why Bynum felt the need to score and get touches early in the season, because he will never be treated as more than just a defensive role player if he is constrained to that role. Us Lakers fans know he can and is much better than that, and the way he's playing and adapting to game situations right now should be more than satisfactory for us.

MSDS,

I agree that certain members do belittle, downplay, and disparage Bynum's achievements excessively but the same is true for what some of you are doing to Kobe.

I have a sneaking suspicion that people like DaAssasins will stop making such an effort to belittle Bynum if posters like you and lakerdude stop showing such blatant disregard for Kobe. That's why I spoke to a lack of maturity on these forums in general and I didn't single out just one person like DaAssasins assumed I was doing.

There's no way any of you Laker fans can draw the conclusions that Kobe is a scrub because he's certainly not playing like one. In these playoffs, Kobe's been highly efficient, and very productive, so our complaints about him should be non-existent. Let's just try to show more support for Kobe and Bynum, and if you have to pick a side, it would be nice if you kept it on the Kobe VS Drew thread.

MSDS,

I agree that certain members do belittle, downplay, and disparage Bynum's achievements excessively but the same is true for what some of you are doing to Kobe.

I have a sneaking suspicion that people like DaAssasins will stop making such an effort to belittle Bynum if posters like you and lakerdude stop showing such blatant disregard for Kobe. That's why I spoke to a lack of maturity on these forums in general and I didn't single out just one person like DaAssasins assumed I was doing.

There's no way any of you Laker fans can draw the conclusions that Kobe is a scrub because he's certainly not playing like one. In these playoffs, Kobe's been highly efficient, and very productive, so our complaints about him should be non-existent. Let's just try to show more support for Kobe and Bynum, and if you have to pick a side, it would be nice if you kept it on the Kobe VS Drew thread.

MSDS,

I agree that certain members do belittle, downplay, and disparage Bynum's achievements excessively but the same is true for what some of you are doing to Kobe.

I have a sneaking suspicion that people like DaAssasins will stop making such an effort to belittle Bynum if posters like you and lakerdude stop showing such blatant disregard for Kobe. That's why I spoke to a lack of maturity on these forums in general and I didn't single out just one person like DaAssasins assumed I was doing.

There's no way any of you Laker fans can draw the conclusions that Kobe is a scrub because he's certainly not playing like one. In these playoffs, Kobe's been highly efficient, and very productive, so our complaints about him should be non-existent. Let's just try to show more support for Kobe and Bynum, and if you have to pick a side, it would be nice if you kept it on the Kobe VS Drew thread.

MSDS,

I agree that certain members do belittle, downplay, and disparage Bynum's achievements excessively but the same is true for what some of you are doing to Kobe.

I have a sneaking suspicion that people like DaAssasins will stop making such an effort to belittle Bynum if posters like you and lakerdude stop showing such blatant disregard for Kobe. That's why I spoke to a lack of maturity on these forums in general and I didn't single out just one person like DaAssasins assumed I was doing.

There's no way any of you Laker fans can draw the conclusions that Kobe is a scrub because he's certainly not playing like one. In these playoffs, Kobe's been highly efficient, and very productive, so our complaints about him should be non-existent. Let's just try to show more support for Kobe and Bynum, and if you have to pick a side, it would be nice if you kept it on the Kobe VS Drew thread.

LSD: I don't agree with your putting my name on this post and saying I'm showing blatant disregard toward Kobe. If you read any of my posts during and after the games, I was talking about how great Kobe did. Go back and look. I've praised him for what he's been doing this postseason. My recent statements have just been debating points between DaAssisins and I. I haven't shown disregard toward Kobe, let alone blatant.

That is probably one of the best posts I've seen in a long time. Great job lsd. I do believe that the reason some people bash on Bynum is because of others doing the same to Kobe. It's crazy because lately this site has become quite negative when it comes to these types of things. Anyway, again, well said.

Thank you, SHOEMAKER and others who appreciated my stance on this subject.

It's become painfully apparent that there is an excessive amount of vindictiveness and pettiness in the way some posters choose to respond to others whom they feel are disrespecting their favorite Lakers player or players. We can turn the negativity around if there are those of us reputed site members who are willing to take the high road and show proper respect to both Bynum and Kobe. My name is lakeshowsd, not Bynumshowsd, and I support the Lakers as a group first and foremost, and that support takes precedence over any single player on the team. The Lakers are a storied franchise and they're much bigger than any 1 player. We have to remember that fact.

LSD: Here are some of my posts: These are playoff posts.

1) lakerdude wrote: The last 2 games, Drew has played great, yet Kobe and Gasol get the interviews at the end. They get to sit and answer questions on NBA TV, but Bynum doesn't, what gives. I think that's B.S. Drew is getting screwed. He should be sitting at the podium. WTF? Kobe deserves it of course because he's the greatest, but what about Bynum? Kobe praise Drew in his interview, and I love it, but why doesn't Bynum get enough love to to speak at this level?

2)MSDS wrote: I agree, maybe he'll say kobe needs to stop ballhoggin..


Lakerdude wrote: You have to relax dude. Kobe had a great game. If you keep trashing Kobe without making your point dude, you'll probably be banned for trolling. I don't want that to happen to you, because you seem like a true Drew fan, but you have to slow your roll my bro.

3)PurpleKnight wrote:
OOOOOH!!! Bynum is going to party like it's 1999 tonight!!!

Lakerdude wrote: Kobe and him both. We have a great 1 2 punch, with Gasol in the mix, and I don't see why we can't go as far as they want to go.

4) lakerdude wrote: Kobe and Drew are ready to take us to the promise land.

5) I wish it were that simple PurpleKnight. That may be the best scenario, but it's not feasible. Bynum wants it and Kobe wants it. They are playing that way, and may the best man win is the end result. I agree with you though, when one wins and the other doesn't, it will probably be unjust. I love your thread though and will rep it. It's a great concept that should, in a perfect world, be the end result.


Thanks a million LakerDude! I know that it probably won't happen. But we do need BOTH to play beastly to win it! ANd if one wins MVP over the other, it would be a shame. Especially if they both deserve it like I predict!

6) lakerdude wrote: Kobe played a good game today. He forced a few shots, but he let the team play. It was great to see. Let's keep it going.


Tailspin wrote: I don't want to criticize you but what are you talking about? Kobe had his usual customary game of shooting 20-25 shots per game. Bynum made the difference with his outstanding D. That is the kind of game that we need from Bynum.


lakerdude wrote: Kobe was good today. He started off shaky, but got it together later on. Bynum kicked a$$. Drew is the best player on the team, and that's been my opinion all year. What's your problem with what I said?

Tailspin wrote: Sorry just nit-picking my bad. Kobe just had a regular Kobe game


lakerdude wrote: I hear you. It was a regular Kobe game, but he did it in the flow of the game. He didn't appear to try and force issues like he normally does. he played in the confines of the game. I don't want to see the Kobe that feels like he has to do it all by himself. It seemed like he was about "team" today.

Make a thread for your original comment so all could read it.

He should go ahead and make a thread for his original post, but he should leave my name out of it. I've show proof I'm not blatantly disregarding Kobe. I don't like getting thrown under the bus.

You did read the part where I apologized if you were offended, right? What is your problem, lakerdude? Let it go.

lakerdude,

You are correct. "Blatant disregard" was not the appropriate choice of words to define your treatment of Kobe in these playoffs. You have been critical of Kobe in a minor capacity, but you've said nothing that should be interpreted as blatant disregard. Again, you have my sincere apologies for the false nature of my comments as they applied directly to you. Will that be sufficient?