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Post Subject: Andrew Bynum no longer a luxury!!
 Posted: May 05, 2012 - 05:00 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 1704
Location: mesa AZ
  
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http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... ply-luxury
DENVER -- About an hour before Game 3 tipped off, I was chatting with a Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach.
One of things we discussed was the scenario of an NBA Finals between the Lakers and Miami Heat.
"How would Kobe take it if Bynum won Finals MVP? He'd eat Miami up inside," I asked, admittedly getting a little ahead of myself.
"Hey, it could happen," the coach replied.
[+] EnlargeAndrew Bynum
Chris Humphreys/US PresswireAndrew Bynum had a big second half but otherwise didn't have much of an impact for the Lakers in Game 3.
And why not? As brilliant as Kobe Bryant was through the Lakers' two wins to start this playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, going off for 30-plus points in both games, it was Andrew Bynum who was the team's MVP.
He started off the series with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks in Game 1 -- registering the first playoff triple-double by a Laker since Magic Johnson in 1991 while tying the league's playoff record for blocked shots.
He backed that up with a personal playoff career high of 27 points in Game 2 to go with nine rebounds and two blocks.
Then came Bynum's first half of Game 3: zero points on 0-for-3 shooting, five rebounds, one blocked shot and a 16-point deficit to the Nuggets after they led by as many as 24 in what turned out to be a 99-84 Denver win.
Bynum proved his value just as much in his struggles as he did when he shined. Quite simply, Bynum isn't a bonus for the Lakers any longer. He's a necessity. If he doesn't show up, even if it's just for a half -- heck, even if it's just for a quarter -- the Lakers are in jeopardy as evidenced Friday's result.
"I wasn't ready to play," Bynum said after the game. "That's really it. I just wasn't really ready."
(oh shoot, even bynum admitted he didnt play well!! and as our second most important player we can not when when he doesnt play to his potential!)
The lapse was enough to breathe new life into the Nuggets, who looked hapless in L.A. but downright dominant in the first half in Denver.
The Nuggets ate up the Lakers inside, outscoring L.A. 52-32 in the paint by game's end. Sure, that figure was aided by the Lakers' settling for too many outside shots (and going just 6-for-25 on 3-pointers in the process), but it was also by design.
"So much of our game plan was to try to keep it out of the paint, and if it got to the paint, don't have a concept, everybody just come to the ball and then scramble," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "It was more just collapse."
Bynum adjusted in the second half, scoring all 18 of his points and adding seven rebounds and a block to bring his final line to a more-than-respectable 18 and 12, but it was ultimately too little, too late.
"I just got aggressive," Bynum said. "I got angry and played a little better."
Bynum's anger almost derailed him late in the third quarter when he shot a floater in the lane and JaVale McGee swatted the ball away when it was already on its way down. It should have been a goaltending call and Bynum went berserk on his way back down the court, first yelling at Bryant, who was trying to get him settled back into the game, and then having to be held back from referee Michael Smith on the Lakers' ensuing timeout.
"He kind of lost it there for a second," Bryant said. "He went crazy."
Said Bynum: "It's, like, almost ridiculous. I shot a floater and the guy backs up and plays Euro-style ball or something [to swat it away]. I don't know. But it should be called."
What's also almost ridiculous was that after McGee's block, the ball ended up in Ramon Sessions' hands and he nailed an open 18-foot jumper on the same possession to cut Denver's lead to just five. There was still a positive result from the play, yet Bynum focused on the negative of the missed call.
More on the Lakers
For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Land O' Lakers blog from the Kamenetzky Brothers. Blog
Bryant refused to blame Bynum's slow start for the loss ("That's not what cost us the ballgame," he said), instead pointing to all of L.A.'s blanks from long range, but it's obvious the Lakers cannot reach their potential this postseason with the type of effort Bynum showed in the first two quarters.
"We know what kind of impact he can have on the game when he plays a consistent game throughout," Pau Gasol said.
No offense to McGee, who played with incredible energy and finished with 16 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks off the bench, but he has no business guarding Bynum when Bynum's engaged. There was one play in the third quarter when all McGee could do was hug Bynum's middle as he was going up and Bynum still converted the bucket, plus made the foul shot to complete the three-point play.
And he makes Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgov look a foot smaller, even though they're all 7 feet.
If you look across the rest of the playoff field, there isn't a big man remaining whom you would say Bynum wouldn't have the advantage over in a seven-game series.
After receiving postgame treatment on his right knee, Bynum was the last Laker standing in an empty visitor's locker room Friday night. As he started to get dressed, there was a chair in front of his locker, making it difficult to maneuver as he tried to put on his jeans. Bynum tossed the chair on its side and out of his way.
He's angry now. You have to think he'll be ready from the start in Game 4. |
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kb24_4life
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Post Subject: RE: Andrew Bynum no longer a luxury!!
Posted: May 05, 2012 - 06:43 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Nov 28, 2007 Age: 22
Posts: 6009
votes: 45
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| I'm expecting a dominant game 4 from Bynum! I have no doubt in my mind that the Lakers will win in 5 behind a motivated Bynum. |
_________________
"I didn't have any trouble getting any shots"
Bynum's 100% correct assessment of his and Kobe's difficult 2nd half shooting vs OKC.
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psymd1
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Post Subject: RE: Andrew Bynum no longer a luxury!!
Posted: May 05, 2012 - 08:45 PM PST
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Serious Laker Fan
Joined: May 28, 2009
Posts: 329
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| He was not ready to play? It is the PLAYOFFS!! You get paid to be ready for this game. |
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Axle
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Post Subject: RE: Andrew Bynum no longer a luxury!!
Posted: May 05, 2012 - 09:38 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 10573
votes: 42
Status: Offline
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| It is hard to read something like that, that he was not ready to play? This is the playoffs man. Geez! |
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lakerdude
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Posted: May 05, 2012 - 11:14 PM PST
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Joined: Jun 24, 2007
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Axle wrote:
It is hard to read something like that, that he was not ready to play? This is the playoffs man. Geez!
Yes it's the playoffs, get the dude the ball and we will win it all. Bynum can take us to the promise land, the Lakers just need to feed the vicious beast. |
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gemfow
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 12:51 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 8244
Location: Maryland
votes: 140
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| Some of you guys just don't get it. After last years playoffs and Bynum talking about the team having trust issues, none of you guys commenting on the "not ready to play" comment have noticed the pattern of Bynum putting the blame on himself completely. That's a rarity nowadays but Bynum doesn't say we, he usually goes with me or I when thigs are negative. Just take a look at that pattern before you guys just say oh god Bynum is this and that. |
_________________
LANDONTOP
Last edited by gemfow on May 06, 2012 - 07:34 PM PST; edited 1 time in total
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KS_v2
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 02:48 AM PST
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Joined: Oct 01, 2011
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gemfow wrote:
Some of you guys just don't get it. After last years playoffs and Bynum talking about the team having trust issues, none of you guys commenting on the "not ready to play" comment have noticed the pattern of Bynum putting the blame on himself completely. That's a rarity nowadays but Bynum doesn't say we, he usually goes with me or I when thigs are negative. Just take a look at that pattern before you guys just say oh god Bynm is this and that.
Agreed. Atleast he's in a way better than Melo who's been deflecting all criticism to bad luck and lack of time to adjust to coaching changes.
He's still 24. He hasn't had as much experience in the POs as Kobe at 24 years. So, expecting him to always be ready like Kobe was even at that point is really ridiculous.
However, he needs to keep himself in check. The last thing that LAL would've needed at that time was a T and Denver to retake the momentum. He plays emotionally which is a double-edged sword. If he's happy, he plays exceedingly well. If he's frustrated, he stops having the same impact.
But hey, he's still 24 and Dwight, who's the best C in the L went through similar stuff when he was 24 too.
Off-topic a bit about the Denver game :
Guys who say Bynum's been left on an island to himself, yes. It's partially true. Bynum did get deep into the post quite a few times. He got the ball a few times. He SHOULD'VE gotten the ball a few more times. But it's not like Bynum and the ball-handler were isolated on the weak side with only 1 defender in the middle.
Denver played great help D and played strong on the passing lanes making it tougher for our ball-handlers to pass it before the D catches on to that passing lane. Sometimes Pau/Barnes/Kobe cut in at the most inopportune time and bring in their defender and eliminate that passing lane.
It's our passing and cohesion that should improve. I'm not talking about the ball-movement part here either. I'm talking about the final pass into the post AND how everyone needs to space out in a way to facilitate it. I've seen Sessions, Kobe and in parts during the season, Ron-Ron hesitate for a second anticipating a steal while passing it in to the deep post position Bynum gets. They shouldn't hesitate. When Pau's the least hesitant guy and most capable guy of finding Bynum, it's a problem and the onus is on the ball-handlers to work on eliminating that hesitation in 5-on-5 scrimmages and practices.
Which is why I think everyone's gonna be more content with what see from the team with regards to getting Bynum the ball in the places he likes. The shortened season hasn't allowed for too many of such things since Sessions arrived. The training period for next season will certainly help out a lot.
Maraud probably caught onto this fact earlier in the season when he pointed out that next season would be a true indicator of how well this team plays together and how well Sessions can create for others. Good job! 
HOWEVER, I fail to see how people can even defend that game saying he played up to par and we would've won if we went exclusively to Bynum in Q4.
No. We wouldn't have. Denver would've continued to crash the boards and our dreams of a sweep. The whole team didn't work hard enough to deserve that win. |
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SourceCode
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 04:30 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Feb 21, 2012
Posts: 2246
votes: 12
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| Bynum needs to be ready to play in the playoffs and make full effort every game. Also engage consistently in areas other than scoring. |
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gemfow
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 07:39 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 8244
Location: Maryland
votes: 140
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KS_v2 wrote:
gemfow wrote:
Some of you guys just don't get it. After last years playoffs and Bynum talking about the team having trust issues, none of you guys commenting on the "not ready to play" comment have noticed the pattern of Bynum putting the blame on himself completely. That's a rarity nowadays but Bynum doesn't say we, he usually goes with me or I when thigs are negative. Just take a look at that pattern before you guys just say oh god Bynm is this and that.
Agreed. Atleast he's in a way better than Melo who's been deflecting all criticism to bad luck and lack of time to adjust to coaching changes.
He's still 24. He hasn't had as much experience in the POs as Kobe at 24 years. So, expecting him to always be ready like Kobe was even at that point is really ridiculous.
However, he needs to keep himself in check. The last thing that LAL would've needed at that time was a T and Denver to retake the momentum. He plays emotionally which is a double-edged sword. If he's happy, he plays exceedingly well. If he's frustrated, he stops having the same impact.
But hey, he's still 24 and Dwight, who's the best C in the L went through similar stuff when he was 24 too.
Off-topic a bit about the Denver game :
Guys who say Bynum's been left on an island to himself, yes. It's partially true. Bynum did get deep into the post quite a few times. He got the ball a few times. He SHOULD'VE gotten the ball a few more times. But it's not like Bynum and the ball-handler were isolated on the weak side with only 1 defender in the middle.
Denver played great help D and played strong on the passing lanes making it tougher for our ball-handlers to pass it before the D catches on to that passing lane. Sometimes Pau/Barnes/Kobe cut in at the most inopportune time and bring in their defender and eliminate that passing lane.
It's our passing and cohesion that should improve. I'm not talking about the ball-movement part here either. I'm talking about the final pass into the post AND how everyone needs to space out in a way to facilitate it. I've seen Sessions, Kobe and in parts during the season, Ron-Ron hesitate for a second anticipating a steal while passing it in to the deep post position Bynum gets. They shouldn't hesitate. When Pau's the least hesitant guy and most capable guy of finding Bynum, it's a problem and the onus is on the ball-handlers to work on eliminating that hesitation in 5-on-5 scrimmages and practices.
Which is why I think everyone's gonna be more content with what see from the team with regards to getting Bynum the ball in the places he likes. The shortened season hasn't allowed for too many of such things since Sessions arrived. The training period for next season will certainly help out a lot.
Maraud probably caught onto this fact earlier in the season when he pointed out that next season would be a true indicator of how well this team plays together and how well Sessions can create for others. Good job!
HOWEVER, I fail to see how people can even defend that game saying he played up to par and we would've won if we went exclusively to Bynum in Q4.
No. We wouldn't have. Denver would've continued to crash the boards and our dreams of a sweep. The whole team didn't work hard enough to deserve that win.
I see what you're saying. My issues with the Lakers passing is that they don't seem to have a purpose with the ball movement. I was getting frustrated to see Bnum run hard, seal his man right in front of the rim, so we aren't talking about any strong or weak side here, and the ball not be rushed into him. That's what I was mainly referring to because in that position Drew only has to turn and shoot, not back anyone down and get doubled on the dribble. |
_________________
LANDONTOP
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Axle
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 07:40 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
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I agree that Bynum has to be ready to play. And I could see that he was not ready to play and that is what makes me mad about this kid. If he thinks he is cool by not trying, I really don't think he will be a laker very long. The Busses will not accept an answer like that from any player especially in the playoffs.
Tonight I want to see Andrew play better then before. If he is doubled then get rebounds and play good tough defense, blocking shots one after another and show those midgets who this man is.
I also expect some scoring from other players like Blake, Barnes and Pau. Lets get every player in double figures tonight. Time for the curtain to come down on these Nuggets. |
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MSDS
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 07:44 PM PST
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Joined: Apr 15, 2012
Posts: 330
votes: 1
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Axle wrote:
I agree that Bynum has to be ready to play. And I could see that he was not ready to play and that is what makes me mad about this kid. If he thinks he is cool by not trying, I really don't think he will be a laker very long. The Busses will not accept an answer like that from any player especially in the playoffs.
Tonight I want to see Andrew play better then before. If he is doubled then get rebounds and play good tough defense, blocking shots one after another and show those midgets who this man is.
I also expect some scoring from other players like Blake, Barnes and Pau. Lets get every player in double figures tonight. Time for the curtain to come down on these Nuggets.
Kobe had too many bad decisions and turn over,, and was terrible shooting from the perimeter, he was the main culprit why we lost that game, Kobe and his associate guards did not give him the ball....
tonight I expect Kobe to defer to Bynum coz he is the only way kobe getting his sixth ring and I hope is mamba brain can pick that up.. |
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Axle
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 07:46 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 10573
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Andrew only got good position a couple of times and asked for the ball, but as soon as Kobe would pass him the ball he would get doubled and he was rolling on the floor or turning the ball over. He has to assert himself with more strength and bounce some heads. He is not a weak player, so why go to the floor right away.
But if the defender is in front of him, then he can forget getting any passes because that is just looking for a turnover.
I hope Andrew has a big night, but don't blame Kobe if he is not ready to play/  |
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MSDS
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 07:51 PM PST
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Joined: Apr 15, 2012
Posts: 330
votes: 1
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| Offense has to go thru drew and pau, kobe becomes 2nd or 3rd option that's the only way we can win games down the road... he is too inconsistent with his games.. one he is great most of the night too many bad decisions and TO's |
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jerrybussfan
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 09:02 PM PST
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Casual Laker Fan
Joined: Jan 21, 2012
Posts: 90
votes: 2
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| Wow a post about Bynum being engaged. Ends up on kobe |
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Posted: May 06, 2012 - 09:52 PM PST
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Casual Laker Fan
Joined: Dec 04, 2011 Age: 33
Posts: 110
votes: 2
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| @ jerrybussfan, I LOL at some of these posts here sometimes. Makes me glad that Mike Brown actually is the head coach... |
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