Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), LeBron James, Lakers primed and ready to face Steph Curry, Warriors, Swanson: Lakers Rob Pelinka defied critics and built a contender, Angels still searching for right bullpen mix, Alexander: Lakers-Warriors should be a classic series, Status Update: Dutch Bros. drive-through coffee shop plots first OC locations, Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (April 20-27), More land sliding at Casa Romantica; residents evacuated, trains halted through San Clemente, Orange County Artist of the Year winners announced, Fire at Barnes & Noble in Orange disrupts book-signing event, Then and Now: Photos of Casa Romantica show damage caused by landside, Dementia doubles in Orange County in less than a decade, Cold, drizzly week ahead for Southern California, Man who killed father on Laguna Niguel trail committed to mental-health hospital, OC Marine who volunteered in Ukraine, survived rocket attack: I would do it again, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Nets were extremely interested in sending Jason Kidd to LA, a trade that obviously never happened. But while Bynum might have seen a decreased workload, he still played an imperative role in the frontcourt. Howard lacked that conditioning: in Orlando, he'd never had to defer to anyone but Stan Van Gundy, and he got over that eventually. I swear, thats it. The two always had more in common than people cared to realize -- they both were drafted into the league out of high school at just 17 years old; Bynum's hometown of Plainsboro, N.J., is just 50 miles away from Lower Merion, Pa., where Bryant matriculated; they both had a dominant, veteran superstar to contend with starting from their rookie season (Bryant had O'Neal; Bynum has Bryant); plus nobody on the Lakers' roster can appreciate Bryant's Lamborghini as much as the car-crazed Bynum. He nodded because Shaquille ONeal never nodded in understanding and certainly not appreciation when the young Kobe was trying to turn his game up and indirectly win more championships. Its a side Gasol has taken before when it comes to accepting the not-so-young Kobe still pushing not-so-clear limits. [7] In his junior year of high school Bynum averaged 16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.0 blocks. In Bynum, Kobe had a great player who was conditioned to defer to the Black Mamba. The truth is that the Orlando Magic didnt want Bynum in a straight-up deal as they were concerned with his knee issues and the fact that hed soon be a free agent. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). "I don't think it was avoidable," Bynum said. Bynum had been a McDonald's All-American his senior year at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, averaging 22.4 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks per game. But had Kobe and Bynum been forced together beyond 2012, nothing would be better. Winners will be chosen at random from comments on videos where the giveaway is mentioned and will be notified within 48hrs. He was named an All-Star and selected to the All-NBA team in 2012. The player once dubbed "Baby Shaq" got off to a memorable start in his NBA career, being chastised by Kobe Bryant before he ever took the floor and shortly thereafter establishing himself as perhaps the most promising young center in basketball. Gambling Problem? [57], On March 14, Bynum tied his career high in rebounds with 18 against Howard and the Magic.[58]. The two-time Lakers champion had played his final pro game at the ripe old age of 26. Bynum's actions were condemned by the sports news media, and he was suspended four games for the next season and fined $25,000. [47] Postponing surgery until after the playoffs, Bynum appeared in all 23 of the Lakers' playoff games, averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. [69] Bynum was awarded Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the second time of his young career for games played Monday, March 12, through Sunday, March 18. I think he was testing the limits of his game, Bryant said. Kobe wouldn't be in a better place. Bynum averaged 14.3 points and eight rebounds as the third option in the LA offense as the Lakers went on to win the NBA title. In other words, Bryant not only sees Bynum as someone who can help him win a coveted sixth championship, he sees Bynum as someone worthy of helping him with that quest because Bynum has the same intrinsic drive that he does. This isnt just a draft that builds the future, but a potential dynasty. [84] After the Lakers led the series 31, Bynum said, "Close-out games are actually kind of easy. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Andrew Bynum? He also finished with the 3rd highest field-goal percentage in the league and 6th overall in blocks per game. [52] In his first 24 games played during the season, Bynum averaged 24.6 minutes per game and 27.4 minutes in 17 games as a starter. The blocked shots broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's franchise record of nine, and tied the NBA playoff record set by Mark Eaton and Hakeem Olajuwon. In the years since Andrew Bynum last played in the NBA, there have been numerous reports of a comeback attempt. It looked like Mitch Kupchak had not only successfully navigated the troubled seas of Kobe's twilight, but had pulled off a Westian heist in the process. As one league source told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Kobe Bryants High School Teammates Witnessed the Early Stages of Mamba Mentality: He Bordered on Psychotic. What the f---?" His inability to stay healthy and concerns about his desire and mental health and attitude have always been there. Kobe Bean Bryant (/ k o b i / KOH-bee; August 23, 1978 - January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. While Bryant thrived, the Lakers did not and finished with a 34-48 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. [100] On October 30, 2013, he made his debut for the Cavaliers recording 3 points and 3 rebounds in 8 minutes of play. Bynum would have been in the trainer's room (or the nearest bowling alley). O'Donnell: Andrew Bynum's irreconcilable differences with basketball, The Hook: Sixers, Suns show off the new 1-year rebuild, Joe Johnson keeps killing teams at the buzzer. The Indiana Pacers also made a trade offer for Bynum. He battled through recurring shoulder issues during the 2003-04 season as LA made it to the Finals for the fourth time in five seasons. "They got injuries and they're not posting the ball, so, that's tough too. F------ ship his ass out,". The first part of that, and all the work that went into it, is what gets lost when people talk about Bynum's passion for the game. [91][92] He did not practice or play with the team prior to the season, and suffered another setback after injuring his left knee while bowling. So nobody wants to be a chump.". Bynum stayed on the bench most of the second half instead of getting up to encourage teammates or take part in strategic huddles, showing immaturity with his disappointment. Jackson often chose to go with rotations featuring Pau Gasol in the middle and Lamar Odom as a point forward. (HEARTBREAKING)Welcome To Pros Sport Your Number One Place For Sport News And Fan Favor VideosMake sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos!#los angeles lakers #AndrewBynum #ProsSport*Youre not obligated to participate in the giveaway mentioned in the video. That's essentially been the chief narrative surrounding Bynum the last two seasons. Andrew Bynum would be the same age as Al Horford right now (35), who is coming off the best playoff run of his career. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. (HEARTBREAKING)Welcome To Pros Sport Your Number One Place For Sport News And Fan Favor VideosMake sure to like, comme. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Jackson was limiting Bynum's minutes in an attempt to minimize his risk of injury. [39] "I think in the first quarter I had 10, so I guess I was kind of slacking the rest of the game," Bynum said. [29] After Bynum's injury, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. They are above it. He even played in the NBA Finals after re-aggravating it. Eberhardt: What do NBA assistant coaches do during games? I guess I'm just excited to play any game at this point.". His skill level isn't what gave him the opportunity. Stats while with Kobe: 11.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg Great size, good. As one league source told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! This was the second straight year that Bynum had suffered a knee injury against the Grizzlies. When Bryant was shooting blanks against Denver in that 6-for-28 game, Bynum was putting up 18 points and 16 rebounds on 7-for-12 shooting. 1 for No. On January 26, 2007, he had a career-high seven blocks and a season-high 16 rebounds against the Charlotte Bobcats. [11] After selecting him in the draft, the Lakers hired Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to work with Bynum. That was the mantra Kobe Bryant embraced during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. After seven seasons with the Lakers, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012 as part of a four-team deal that sent All-Star center Dwight Howard to Los Angeles. But nothing has ever gotten very serious. [43][45], In the 2010 NBA playoffs, Bynum injured his knee in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. Remember Andrew Bynum? Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. That every move the Lakers made had to be done in the context of allowing Kobe and Bynum to co-exist, or to avoid the coming war. 5 rebuilding teams that nailed the 2023 NFL Draft. During the Lakers' run to the 2010 championship, Bynum played every one of the Lakers' 23 playoff games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. [86], On June 4, 2012, the Lakers exercised their $16.1-million team option on Bynum's contract for the 201213 season. He offered a simple response when asked about his reactions to news of Bynums injury. Although Bynum averaged just 19 minutes against the Magic and their center Dwight Howard, the Lakers won the championship. For sure, Bynum cannot let expansion of his game interfere with his more important defensive responsibilities in the playoffs, the same way Bryant knew to rein it in and dump it in more to Shaq in the playoffs. In the final year that high school players were allowed to jump straight to the NBA, the LA Lakers selected Andrew Bynum with the 10th overall pick of the 2005 NBA draft. The 2009-10 Lakers won eight fewer games than the season before, but Kobe Bryant and Co. still looked like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA entering the playoffs. Bynum's skeletal structure wasn't big enough to support his massive frame, and what's followed is a compilation of surgeries, pain and lost games. Bynum said he has "no regrets" about the path that led him out of L.A. The Hook: Kobe, Bynum and the death throes of LA's mini-dynasty Prada: Streaking Golden State Warriors blending old with new Dennis Rodman's North Korea dream team roster is spectacular NFL mock draft 2024: Historic WR prospect, reigning Heisman QB lead next years class. On the next play, Bynum spun past O'Neal and dunked the ball. The Lakers wouldn't be in a better place. Bynum played 35 games and started in 25 games during the season. When asked about his first career 20-20 game, Bynum did not boast, saying, "It was about time.". [102] However, he also struggled at times, shooting 011 from the field with no points in 22 minutes in a loss to Detroit. A Lakers team without Bynum certainly could have been more vulnerable. 2, I think they're going to have to post the ball within a system that's going to do that," he said. I need him to be more black swan.". I made one (with 1.2 seconds left in the last game, a loss to Memphis), and I wanted to make another one. [44] However, he kept on playing, and the Lakers won their second championship in a row. Just three years ago, everything came crashing down for the Lakers. On November 2, 2005, during the Lakers' season opener against the Denver Nuggets, Bynum played six minutes and became the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game at age 18years, 6days.