START BYNUM FOR THE SEASON!!! The guy's been averaging 18.5 and 10 his last 3 games, 5 assists too...the guy can be a star
I think this kid could be. He dominated the game tonight, coming a rebound shy of a double double. If he keeps this up, Kwame's starting job when he gets back might be in jeopardy.
Awesome game from Bynum in his first NBA start. I was impressed with the overall effort from the team, but Bynum is finally coming into his own and showing the time with Kareem is paying off.
Kwame can play off the bench and still be a star. His post defense will be invaluable when we play teams such as the Spurs, Dallas, and Heat who have legit big men. He'll be a solid backup for both the center and power forward spots... Man, Im so excited right now!!!
In addition to the 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists is that he did it all in only 24 minutes. And he had only one turnover. That's a dominant level of play. At the same time, Phoenix has a knack of making the opposing center look like Shaquile O'neal in his prime. They are extremely soft in the interior. Also, can Bynum play at this level for 30+ minutes a night? I didn't seen him play much last season. What are his biggest improvements?
Just saw the re-run of the game. You guys do really have a gem, he was absolutely brilliant the entire game.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">In addition to the 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists is that he did it all in only 24 minutes. And he had only one turnover. That's a dominant level of play. At the same time, Phoenix has a knack of making the opposing center look like Shaquile O'neal in his prime. They are extremely soft in the interior. Also, can Bynum play at this level for 30+ minutes a night? I didn't seen him play much last season. What are his biggest improvements?</div> The two biggest improvements is Bynum's physical physique and his confidence level. Last year was basically boot camp for him, and he lost a lot of the baby fat and turned it into muscle. When the Lakers first brought him in, he could barely lift 150lbs, this summer was doing reps with 250lbs and I'm sure it's around 270 to 280lbs by now. The organizations approach with Bynum was to develop him as a superstar and not just a role player. This is why they didn't send him to the DLeague last season, and didn't let him play in garbage time. They didn't want him to develop the mentality of coming off the bench to play limited minutes and not be focused. In the summer league the Lakers made a point to get Bynum the ball on offense and allow him to shoulder the scoring. The confidence of being able to score in the summer league and preseason has calmed his nerves and he's more comfortable out on the floor. Also his teammates have more faith in him being able to catch the ball in traffic and finish. A key moment for him was when he started a preseason game and yelled to Sasha, "Give me the F'ing ball!"
That was an awesome performance. I think once Kwame and Mihm returned he will get limited minutes. But this is why we need to trade Mihm. Bynum will lack experience and eventhough he had a great game he needs to learn how to carry that to the next game. I also saw a little weakness, which is his not in physical shape 100%. After the five minutes into the game he looked tired and slow and that's when the Suns made the run. I am excited that he did great and I hope that by next year he will be an impact player. We beat the Suns with out KOBE, MIhm and Kwame....watch out NBA because I see us in the Western Finals.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> The organizations approach with Bynum was to develop him as a superstar and not just a role player. This is why they didn't send him to the DLeague last season, and didn't let him play in garbage time. They didn't want him to develop the mentality of coming off the bench to play limited minutes and not be focused. In the summer league the Lakers made a point to get Bynum the ball on offense and allow him to shoulder the scoring. The confidence of being able to score in the summer league and preseason has calmed his nerves and he's more comfortable out on the floor. Also his teammates have more faith in him being able to catch the ball in traffic and finish.</div> Do you think he should continue to start when Kwame and Mihm return?
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think he should continue to start when Kwame and Mihm return?</div> Well it's a good dilemma to have, but the original plan was to always use Kwame as the starting PF on this team. Chris Mihm's future as a Laker probably ends after this season, whether he's traded or not offered a contract renewal. Bynum said he doesn't want to give up the starting job, and will work hard to retain it. If he keeps producing and the Lakers keep winning, I don't see why they'd insert Kwame back into the starting lineup. The injury Kwame sustained is going to linger even after he returns. Right now Kwame needs to focus on improving his jumpshot and learning where he needs to setup as the PF. If everything falls into place the Lakers frontline would be huge, with Bynum-Kwame-Odom.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well it's a good dilemma to have, but the original plan was to always use Kwame as the starting PF on this team. Chris Mihm's future as a Laker probably ends after this season, whether he's traded or not offered a contract renewal. Bynum said he doesn't want to give up the starting job, and will work hard to retain it. If he keeps producing and the Lakers keep winning, I don't see why they'd insert Kwame back into the starting lineup. The injury Kwame sustained is going to linger even after he returns. Right now Kwame needs to focus on improving his jumpshot and learning where he needs to setup as the PF. If everything falls into place the Lakers frontline would be huge, with Bynum-Kwame-Odom.</div> i really like that trio of Bynum, Kwame, and Odom up front. Your right huge lineup. I love Bynum's attitude about keeping the starting job. That will have him work even harder with Brown on his heels. I really like Mihm and with the limited amount of big men in the league, I'd think he'd be perfect trade bait before the trade deadline. Just wondering what we could get for him. Evans from the Pistons is going to be invaluable this season. Kobe is going to get some quality rest without worrying about scoring with him on the floor. The guy plays defense too... I was impressed.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If everything falls into place the Lakers frontline would be huge, with Bynum-Kwame-Odom.</div> I think that's a mistake. Seems to me that Lamar would excel more playing PF. Last season he averaged 20.2 pts, 12.6 reb, 5.9 ast per 48 minutes playing PF, versus only 15.5 pts, 9.1 reb, 7.7 ast per 48 minutes at SF. Fumbles should come off the bench.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think that's a mistake. Seems to me that Lamar would excel more playing PF. Last season he averaged 20.2 pts, 12.6 reb, 5.9 ast per 48 minutes playing PF, versus only 15.5 pts, 9.1 reb, 7.7 ast per 48 minutes at SF. Fumbles should come off the bench.</div> I don't know, those stats are a little misleading because Odom struggled early on at SF. Also Kwame didn't fumble passes during the preseason and has improved on the offensive end. The key will be whether or not he can make a jumper consistently. Both Kwame and Odom prefer to attack facing the basket, so having those 3 on the floor at the same time could work. Plus Kwame is still the better position defender out of all the Laker big men. Frank Hamblen said we might see a three headed center if Kwame-Bynum-Mihm all improve.
Lamar is ready to be a star, right now. Bynum is making progress fast, especially for someone only 19. The future is bright, I only hope for your sake that Kobe realizes this. You need to get rid of Parker/Vujacic, that's killing you. Evans is a start. Now you need a real PG.
<div class="quote_poster">philsmith75 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar is ready to be a star, right now. Bynum is making progress fast, especially for someone only 19. The future is bright, I only hope for your sake that Kobe realizes this. You need to get rid of Parker/Vujacic, that's killing you. Evans is a start. Now you need a real PG.</div> I like the upside of Farmar being the future starting PG, but I do agree Sasha and Smush are the weak links on this roster. I cannot believe the Lakers extended Sasha without making sure his preseason shooting would carry over into the real season. Smush, I don't mind him coming back for cheap as the backup PG, but he has an inflated ego about his worth. I wouldn't be surprised to see him price himself out of our budget. The Lakers might have to count on some hungry veterans looking for minutes and a possible title during the next few seasons to shore up the PG situation.
