<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LOS ANGELES - Andrew Bynum has become a big story this season because of his growth and development. The Lakers saw improvement early last season and then saw Bynum slow down. This season he has gotten even better and hasn't slowed. Because of Bynum's evolution, Coach Phil Jackson said the Lakers have increased their expectations. "We just said ... if he grows as much as he did between the beginning of last year and the end of last year this season, we could be competitive -- and we can actually think that we can go and compete and win some playoff games," Jackson said. "We've still got a ways to go," he added. Jackson is wary of the pitfalls that come with success like Bynum is having at a young age. "Everything has been done to accelerate Andrew's learning -- from this organization bending over backwards to accommodate him," Jackson said. "We're hopeful it doesn't change the way he acts as a person. We've had people who have not responded well because they are too young and too pampered. Hopefully Andrew is going to be one of these guys that understand what the process is and grows into it." Jackson said he's not ready to anoint Bynum a 20-point, 10-rebound guy, as Lakers television announcer Joel Meyers said recently. "That's way too much pressure to put on this guy," Jackson said. "Who knows whether he's going to be 20 and 10? That's not even a mark that we have to start prepping our audience for. Ten rebounds, yeah? That's important. Scoring-wise, he's going to get points just being around the basket and getting feeds from his teammates like he is now." As if on cue, Bynum scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Tuesday's win over the Suns. Bynum has made strides by working with a personal trainer and with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, currently a special assistant coach. Jackson said Abdul-Jabbar has instructed Bynum on many facets of the game. "That process is slow, and experience is the true teacher," Jackson said. "But because Kareem can put some light on it, I think it has helped him." Oh Behave, Coaches After the Lakers had beaten the Suns for the second straight time this season, Jackson was asked if he had spoken to Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. "Michael Jordan?" Jackson responded, laughing. Jackson and D'Antoni exchanged words when the teams played Nov. 2 in Phoenix. Both coaches put it behind them before Tuesday's game. "I did wave down there at that end of the bench," Jackson said. But, Jackson was reminded, he waved towards D'Antoni, in that first game, too. But it was a dismissive wave. Jackson laughed and said, "You're absolutely right." Kwame Update Jackson said the Lakers miss center Kwame Brown, who missed his 19th straight game with a sprained left ankle and foot. Jackson said Brown is really good at defending post players one-on-one. Brown worked out Monday but wasn't able to play Tuesday. "I gave him a little idea yesterday on how he's doing," Jackson said. "He can start doing some more individual things that he has to do and then he's going to practice probably on Wednesday and then get after it." More Lakers Notes Kobe Bryant moved past former Suns star Tom Chambers into 30th on the career scoring list with 20,057 points. Luke Walton sat out his second in a row because of a sprained right ankle. Vladimir Radmanovic (0 for 1) failed to make a shot from the field for the fourth time in five games. The Bench Mob was outscored 28-8. ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Bill Walton said the Lakers are the second best team in the Western Conference. Jackson was asked if Walton has any credibility. "None," Jackson responded.</div> Source: Riverside Press Enterprises
If Bynum can average 20/10 starting in 2008 the Lakers are going to be in great position for a strong post season run. Go Bynum!
Do I sense a bit of sarcasm in these posts. lol. I believe he will average 20/10. I bet half of the people here didn't believe he would be averaging a double double right now or go 18/11/2 over the course of the last 7-8 games.
Until I see him develop some post move and counter post move, and atleast a decent mid range game, I don't see it happening. How many players who don't have a decent PG, average 20ppg by just dunking?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Dec 27 2007, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't ever see Bynum averaging over 20PPG.</div> Really? He's averaging 20.5 in the last four games. It's only a small sample, but the Lakers are finally featuring him more in the offense during the past four games so I don't think it's out of the question for him to average 20+ for an entire season at some point. He scored a career high 28 points on XMAS on just 13 shot attempts. Just wait until he starts shooting 20+ times a game. Plus he shoots a decent clip from the charity stripe.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Dec 27 2007, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Until I see him develop some post move and counter post move, and atleast a decent mid range game, I don't see it happening. How many players who don't have a decent PG, average 20ppg by just dunking?</div> I dont know what you've been watching but Bynum does have some decent post up moves. His mid range game does need work, but his footwork has come leaps and bounds compared to just last season. Dunking? Are you kidding me? Thats the highest percentage shot in the game. Bynum scored 28 points on 11-13 shots. When he gets within a couple feet of the basket, the kid doesn't miss. His teammates are aware of him inside and feed him the ball. Anyone remember Shaq the first few years in the league? He was averaging close to 20ppg living off dunks. The lakers have great passers to deliver Bynum the ball. I dont see why we need a PG. The triangle doesn't require a true point guard to run its offense anyway.
Screw developing a mid-range game. If Bynum can dunk it 10 time out 10 shot attempts more power to him. Bynum has several moves in the post already and his footwork is exceptional for someone his size. He also has a quick second leap and is showing some athleticism with his ability to finish in traffic. He can finish with either hand, has a nice soft touch on his baby hook shots, can spin in either direction and has an up and under move.
It's so laughable to watch these sour Net fans come in here and bash Bynum and his game because secretly their pissed that the Lakers didn't give him up for Kidd, when watching Bynum now. To say he'll never average 20/10 is the stupidest statement one could make. To say he doesn't have any post moves is another stupid statement. Do you watch him every night? I highly doubt it. He's got the softest hands a center has had since Shaq entered the league. He's got amazing grace on his feet, is quick with his feet and has very good touch with the ball. He's got a beautiful spin to a power dunk move and a beautiful fake right, go left baby hook move. I see him closing out the season, if he stays healthy, averaging about 16/11/2.
Let's see, Bynum is 20 years old. He's currently averaging 13 ppg, 10 rpg, and 2 bpg. I certainly don't see how his rebounding will get worse, and I certainly don't see how his blocking ability will get worse. He won't reach his prime for another 7 to 8 years, so he has more than enough time to develop post moves, or whatever else he needs to develop. Considering how the Lakers run practically no plays for Bynum, yet he's still putting up 13 ppg, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to average 20 ppg when he develops more, and plays are actually run for him. So yes he can probably average 20/10
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Dec 27 2007, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's so laughable to watch these sour Net fans come in here and bash Bynum and his game because secretly their pissed that the Lakers didn't give him up for Kidd, when watching Bynum now.</div> You need to stop with the pop psychology as you aren't even close to any truth.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Dec 27 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Dec 27 2007, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's so laughable to watch these sour Net fans come in here and bash Bynum and his game because secretly their pissed that the Lakers didn't give him up for Kidd, when watching Bynum now.</div> You need to stop with the pop psychology as you aren't even close to any truth. </div> Look around the forum. Look around S2 for that matter. When Nets fans get a chance to put him down, they will. When Laker fans get excited about his play, they come in and tell us how much we're overrating him. There are little witty sarcastic remarks floating around, and quite honestly, I'm sick of it. And I honestly don't see what's wrong with Mamba's logic. Maybe you can tell me why Andrew Bynum acts like a magnet for the Nets fans to come and put him down, because recently they certainly do that every chance they get
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 27 2007, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Dec 27 2007, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Dec 27 2007, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's so laughable to watch these sour Net fans come in here and bash Bynum and his game because secretly their pissed that the Lakers didn't give him up for Kidd, when watching Bynum now.</div> You need to stop with the pop psychology as you aren't even close to any truth. </div> Look around the forum. Look around S2 for that matter. When Nets fans get a chance to put him down, they will. When Laker fans get excited about his play, they come in and tell us how much we're overrating him. There are little witty sarcastic remarks floating around, and quite honestly, I'm sick of it. And I honestly don't see what's wrong with Mamba's logic. Maybe you can tell me why Andrew Bynum acts like a magnet for the Nets fans to come and put him down, because recently they certainly do that every chance they get </div> Count the number of Nets fans in that thread. Off the top of my head, I can recall myself, mynets, gmjigga and KC. None of us are bitter about not getting Bynum. KC would likely stop being a Nets fan if Bynum was a Net, jigga never wanted Kidd traded and I didn't care who came back from the Lakers, I wanted the Nets blown up last season. That is a very small percentage of the Nets fans on this site and people that generally comment all over the site. It so happens that none of us buy into the Bynum hype (at least at the level it was presented yesterday) and it has nothing to do with us being Nets fans.
