Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is emerging, enjoying an increased role this season. The 7-0, 285-pound big man, who jumped straight from high school to the pros in 2005, is in his third season and through 27 games (17 starts) he's averaging 12.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on 62.5% shooting in 29.0 minutes per game. InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner recently met with Bynum in Madison Square Garden for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: Talk about your development this season. You're doing well, getting more of a role, and putting up a double-double most nights.

Andrew Bynum: I came in, and needed to gain some confidence. Wasn't playing a lot, about 20 minutes a game. As the year progressed, the team started to trust me more. And now I get touches in the first half. Still need to earn the team's trust in the second half.

InsideHoops.com: How long did it take before you were familiar and comfortable with the triangle offense?

Andrew Bynum: That's easy for a big man, because we just go block to block, pretty much. And, screen and rolls. It's not that hard.

InsideHoops.com: How's it going working with Lakers staff as they try to teach you new skills and help your development?

Andrew Bynum: Kareem has been the biggest help to me. We work out before practices, defensively, and offensive moves. And then my trainer, Sean Zarzana really changed things around for me. He got me in shape. Got my body right.

InsideHoops.com: And how did he do that? What kind of changes did he have you make?

Andrew Bynum: Running track. Hitting the weights. That's pretty much it. Basketball stuff, I did with him and Gerald Wilkins.

InsideHoops.com: I remember when you were a rookie I asked if you were maybe going to try to learn Kareem's sky-hook. Did that ever happen?

Andrew Bynum: Naw. I tried to pick it up, but still haven't gotten it yet. We shoot it every day. I shoot it against Vlade [Vladimir Radmanovic, who is sitting next to Bynum during this interview] repeatedly. It looks good against Vlade. I got him scared.

InsideHoops.com: Who is the most impressive big man you've played against so far, in your short NBA career?

Andrew Bynum: I think Tim Duncan, because you never know what he's going to do. He can shoot jump-shots, he can go to the basket, and he's the only guy that so far I haven't been able to understand at the time what he's going to do and when he's going to do it.

InsideHoops.com: Do you think there was and maybe still is more pressure on you than you were expecting, considering your young age?

Andrew Bynum: I never really felt pressure, but I knew it was there, just because I'm on a team with a history of great centers.