<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Andrew Bynum is playing well enough to nail down a starting spot, but will that be the case when Kwame Brown comes back? Bynum has averaged 14.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and three blocked shots during the last six games, a pretty good run, although Coach Phil Jackson wasnoncommittal, then tilted toward Brown, then was noncommittal again when asked who would start when both centers were healthy. "I have no comment on that because I haven't really seen Kwame play," Jackson said. "I would imagine Kwame would go back to being a starter. I'm not going to make a comment on that yet." Brown has missed 16 games because of a sprained left knee and ankle, although he could return next week. He is not with the team for a four-game trip that ends Sunday in New York. He is averaging 4.3 points and five rebounds this season. Bynum had 17 points and 11 rebounds in 42 minutes in the Lakers' 94-90 loss Thursday to Cleveland. He had things on his mind other than a starting spot after missing two free throws that could have tied the score at 92-92 with 11.9 seconds to play. "That's tough," Bynum said. "Chance to tie the game up. I was what, five for six until then? I felt like I shot them the same way. One was long, one was short." Bynum was a 66.7% free-throw shooter coming into the game. What happened to the Lakers' reserves? Normally a source of energy and a fountain of points, they had seven points in 54 minutes against Cleveland. Jordan Farmar had five points, Trevor Ariza had two, and that was it for the scoring. Sasha Vujacic missed all four of his shots, cooling down after a series of sharp games. Vladimir Radmanovic missed his only attempt in 10 minutes of playing time. "Our bench has played well all year long," said Kobe Bryant, who scored 21 points on eight-for-22 shooting. "They've had a couple games here and there where they didn't really perform and tonight was one of them. But we have one of the best benches in the league. It was just one of those fluke games."</div> Source: LA Times More mind games or is PJax just being a stubborn ass?
I don't know. Kwame's strength has been his defense, but honestly, with him out, we barely missed him. Bynum has stepped up big time. But I guess Phil just wants Bynum coming off the bench with the second unit. It worked in the beginning of the season, and Bynum will only strengthen the second unit. I don't really favor the move, but I guess I understand what Phil's trying to do. I doubt Kwame will have much success playing with the second unit, and at the end of the day, it doesn't matter who starts the games, it only matters who finishes them. As long as Bynum continues to get decent minutes, I'm cool with it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 21 2007, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know. Kwame's strength has been his defense, but honestly, with him out, we barely missed him. Bynum has stepped up big time. But I guess Phil just wants Bynum coming off the bench with the second unit. It worked in the beginning of the season, and Bynum will only strengthen the second unit. I don't really favor the move, but I guess I understand what Phil's trying to do. I doubt Kwame will have much success playing with the second unit, and at the end of the day, it doesn't matter who starts the games, it only matters who finishes them. As long as Bynum continues to get decent minutes, I'm cool with it.</div> Earlier in the season I agreed with this approach, but Bynum has taken the next step, has put in the work, and hasn't fatigued in back to back games. All those concerns have been answered and it's time to reward Bynum by making him the every day starter. Kwame has been the exact opposite of Bynum and as a coach you can't reward Kwame by giving him his starting job back. He should have to earn it and out perform Bynum for the right to start. The Lakers second unit has been effective with and without Bynum. They've already adjusted to playing without him. If Kwame earns his job back good for him, but until he does he should be the backup.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Dec 21 2007, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Start them both and see how they do.</div> This was the original plan, but Kwame hasn't been able to learn or has no desire to learn the PF role in the Triangle. The easiest position to learn is Center.
I'm actually totally in favor of starting Kwame over Bynum. As I see it, our first unit as it is assembled now has too many scoring options, and there just aren't enough touches to maximize the potency of Kobe, Lamar, AND Bynum. Bynum mostly has to live off offensive rebounds and put-backs, and he's worth more than that. Allowing him to come off the bench will not only give other teams the fits both on the offensive and defensive end, we'll also be able to draw up plays for him. And Kwame's interior defense would be a welcome addition against other teams' first team centers, although I must admit Bynum has filled in nicely in that capacity in his absence. Plus, can you imagine Kwame with the 2nd teamers? That would be a dead offense. Kwame thrives on the playmaking ability of Kobe and Luke, not Vladman and Farmar.
I think the second unit has more scoring options than the first unit. The second unit has three offensive minded players with Farmar-Sasha-Radman and the first unit has Kobe and Bynum. I know Bynum played well with the second unit, but he's also playing even better with the first unit. The player who's benefited with Bynum in the starting lineup is Lamar Odom. Aside from Odom's crunch time meltdowns, he's been putting up some impressive numbers. Our best 5 man unit on the season has been this combination: Fisher-Kobe-Odom-Radman-Bynum at +48 Our worst 5 man unit was this combination: Fisher-Kobe-Odom-Turiaf-Brown at -17 What we don't know yet is how Kwame Brown would produce with the second unit since it hasn't happened yet. I think it's worth experimenting with to see how Kwame functions with the second unit. If it's a disaster then maybe you hide him back in the starting lineup and punish opposing teams with Bynum off the bench. However, I think Odom is going to suffer again if Kwame comes back to the starting lineup. Right now he's seeing either single coverage or no coverage because defenses are reacting to Bynum and Kobe leaving Odom free. With Kwame out there Odom will see more double coverage and will have less room to create on offense.
I see no evidence the Lakers are a better defensive team with Kwame on the court than with Bynum. However, I see a couple of reasons to play Kwame. First, he's in the final year of his contract and the Lakers need to see him play to make a decision on what to do with him when the season ends. At the very least, they're giving him a chance to play for a contract elsewhere (a nice gesture). Second, Bynum is still a very young fellow. Kobe looked pretty good at 18 years old, but they limited his minutes. Deng was pretty good at 19, but the Bulls limited his minutes. In other words, it isn't abnormal to play younger guys fewer minutes than veterans. Though Bynum is averaging 27+ minutes per game, which is pretty good.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Andrew off the bench for a game or two, to see how he produces in that role. Kwame's defense is better than Drew's, even though Drew is improving quite fast. I don't, however, expect Kwame to be the starter for the rest of the season, as Bynum is by far our second best player on the team.
Bynum earned the starting roster spot. He's healthy, he's playing well, and he has endured. I see no reason for Kwame to take his spot. Kwame should be coming off the pine.
After tonight's game, screw Kwame Brown. He's only worth a 9 mill expiring contract to us. Ship his ass out with Puke Walton for whatever we can get.
