Andrew Bynum Plays to Mixed Reviews

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LONG BEACH - Andrew Bynum was on the floor making his NBA debut, Phil Jackson was holding court in an upstairs conference room, and the Lakers again were the biggest show in town, even in the middle of summer.
Back from his Montana home, Jackson took in his high school center's first game at the Pyramid, then told reporters that he was in "full agreement" with taking a 17-year-old in his first draft since returning as coach.

Bynum was matched up Friday night against the likes of Lawrence Roberts and Kimani Friend in the Lakers' Summer Pro League opener, but Jackson said he thought just the other day about having Bynum play against Shaquille O'Neal, calling it "an educational opportunity."

"I can't wait to do that," Bynum said. "Shaq is one of my idols. Hopefully, he doesn't do me too dirty right now. But I'll be ready for him in about a couple of years."

Jackson maintained that his expectations for Bynum were limited, comparing his situation to that of Seattle center Robert Swift, a lottery pick out of high school last year who played only 16 games his rookie season.

"We just have to take it one step at a time," Jackson said. "That's the hardest part about it when you're a 17-year-old kid, is to say, 'I'm going to be ready next year, this season or whatever.' You take one step at a time.

"There's an apprenticeship that you must serve in this league. I don't care if it's three months or three years, you still have to serve your apprenticeship. It gives you that experience level that you have to have to play this game thoughtfully and professionally."

With a capacity crowd cheering his very first dunk in layup lines, Bynum totaled 12 points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes. The Lakers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 93-85.

Jackson said he did not know if Bynum could develop into an upper-echelon player during his planned three years as coach. And Jackson added that he was in complete agreement with general manager Mitch Kupchak in drafting Bynum despite some initial skepticism.

"I had to be convinced that at the position that we were choosing, that there wouldn't be player who could help us immediately," Jackson said. "I'm not saying that Andrew's not going to be able to help us this year, but a player that has more polished skill and more experience.

"Our decision was that the upside was much greater with his development. ... We think this kid, potentially, the sky's the limit."</div>

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Sounds like Bynum will be on the roster right away from Phil's comments. Especially the one saying he wants Bynum to go against Shaq.