I would kill to have a C as talented as Bynum on this team now. His post game progressed so much over the years, he could go either way on you back to the basket, his footwork and pivot moves had become ridiculous, and he had even started to add a solid 15-18 foot jumper. He didn’t seem to be able to jump out of the gym or anything, but he did get up there and he had such a long reach, he was great at finishing ally-oops. He also had started to focus more on the other end and gobble up rebounds, and swat dudes at the rim. It’s such a shame that injuries ended his career, because had they not, he was the guy to help us transition from the Kobe era. He was an All-Star, and he was on his way to being a monster that couldn’t be stopped with single coverage. Had he stayed healthy, no way we end up missing the playoffs for half a decade, he keeps us relevant and maybe even attracts another star.
One of the things I always liked about that clip and never saw it talked about.... Kobe and Shaq were pretty icy to each other. As soon as that happened Kobe didn't hesitate to step between those two big guys that outweighed him by 80+ lbs most likely. Kobe was fearless, and even if he would have gotten knocked out, his stare would have you wondering if it was a good idea to do that. The kind of guy you want on your side in a battle. Very un-Dwight Howardish
that moment was also when i realized that bynum had what it took to become a franchise big man shaq embarrasses him and what does he do on the very next possession? he posts him up, calls for the ball, and fakes him out to score. then he goes right at him on the other end and lets him know what's up, which caused shaq to retaliate this is a 18 year old kid less than a year removed from high school not showing a single ounce of fear against perhaps the most dominant big man in NBA history. and he managed to get under his skin in the process
His passion was not basketball, it was bowling and hair styles. He was hidden by Phil, Kobe and Pau along with veterans. If he got drafted into a young team with no vets or Phil Jackson type he would not have stayed in the league as long as he did
Bro, did you make your avy? That's sick! if you have those skills, do you have anything like that with just the 4 youngsters (Zo, Kuz, BI, Hart)?
I'll admit to loving Bynum as much as I did, and defending him. But after realizing his lack of focus, effort, and passion to play, I never liked him since. He's really a story of a kid who started to play late because of his size, went with it, had success early on, but dropped off due to motivation. He just never mentally developed and I could probably see why Kobe wanted to trade him despite his potential as successful center. He just never put his all into the game.
Again, he was motivated enough to becoming arguably the best and most skilled Big Center in the game at that time leaving Shaq out of the equation. And not comparing to Pau. Prior to the injuries. But yeah a head case. Would love to have that Bynum right now though.
I will always remember Bynum at his greatest moment when he elbowed that hobbit in Dallas in Game 4. I enjoysed greatly.
bynum's focus was never 100% on the game but it didn't seem to matter because from 08-12 the only other C that was even on his level was dwight. it's a a shame that injuries killed his career because its really interesting to think about how he'd fare in today's NBA where the true back to the basket C has been completely phased out. he was one of the last true centers
Lol I wish, I found it on Twitter the day LeBron was announced a laker. I just changed my avy to the crock LeBron shorts lol
Anytime Bynums being discussed I feel obligated to chime in and dispute the incredibly ignorant take that his attitude was his downfall. He was the best center in the league at the peak of his “attitude”. He fell off because his knees were wrecked. We don’t win back to back championships without him but there’s still bizarrely such a large corner of the fanbase that eats up the false narrative about him being a headcase.
