Bynum Breaking Out?

After emerging as a potential force in the paint last season, Andrew Bynum looks ready to dominate. After a string of solid performances, Bynum torched the Clippers for a career-high 42 points, on just 24 field goal attempts, on Wednesday night, and followed up that performance with a rock-solid 23-point effort (on just 12 FG attempts) in a blowout win against the Washington Wizards the following night, tossing in 29 rebounds and four blocked shots in the two games, just for good measure. The most exciting aspect of the back-to-back performances, from the Lakers’ perspective at least, is that Bynum doesn’t seem to be playing over his head.

What’s happened in the last two games is not an anomaly, nor has it been absent all season. It just hasn’t happened with this magnitude or with the consistency that many predicted before the season. However, the last two night have given us a glimpse of what Andrew Bynum is expected to become, and looks to be on his way to becoming. A great set of physical tools, combined with his increased physical maturity, added game experience and the tutelage of a legend have Andrew Bynum on the path toward becoming the latest dominant big man in Lakerland.

A legitimate 7-footer, Bynum has done a fantastic job of adding muscle to his once-skinny frame, becoming noticeably more imposing, now tipping the scales at a solid 285 pounds. This strength allows him to hold his own against virtually any NBA big man, but it’s the set of supplemental skills he’s developed that point to Bynum becoming a special player in the near future. Bynum’s combination of length (he has a 7’3” wingspan), soft hands and athleticism (33” vertical leap) are a rarity in man of his size, and have provided his tutor, Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a full complement of tools with which to work. And that work is paying off, as the skills that Andrew Bynum has developed have Kareem’s fingerprints all over them.

As valuable as Bynum’s size and athleticism may be, what’s now giving him the look of a great big man are his footwork, passing and movement without the ball- hallmarks of Kareem’s dominant career. No longer does Bynum look like “Bambi on ice”, as did in his first two NBA seasons- he’s now identifying the spots on the floor that he wants to get to, getting there, establishing position, and making strong, confident moves once he receives the ball. Rather than allowing him to rely on his considerable, albeit raw, physical assets, Kareem has worked with Bynum, who’s build is very similar to his own, on refining his footwork and always maintaining his balance, which, combined with his ever-improving play without the ball, both on the strong side and the weak side of the floor, have helped Bynum develop a smooth jump hook, a potential go-to move, and to find opening in the paint for easy shots.

Not only has Bynum made great strides with regard to getting his own shot, he’s also improved his passing, both in terms of vision as well as touch. Though he’s not there yet, more than any aspect of his game, Bynum’s passing from the post is reminiscent of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who’s widely regarding as one the league’s best-ever passing big men. In an offense so predicated on effective ball movement, Bynum’s ability to find the open man along the sideline, on the perimeter, and cutting down the lane has added another vital dimension to the Lakers offense. With his improved passing, combined with that of Pau Gasol, another excellent passer, the Lakers boast a pair of top-flight passing big men, which keeps defenders honest, and forces far more single-coverage in the post, since neither man has a problem looking over double-teams to find the open man.

After showing flashes of his potential last season, only to be derailed by a dislocated kneecap, Andrew Bynum looks ready to ascend to the next level. While his consistency hasn’t immediately return this season, it’s obvious that Bynum possesses every tool necessary to become a truly dominant big man, and given the way he’s used those tools over the past 48 hours, he seems to be learning how to harness his power.

Less than 18 months ago, Kobe Bryant was livid that GM Mitch Kupchak didn’t send Bynum to New Jersey in exchange for Jason Kidd. It’s probably safe to say that Kobe’s never been happier to be wrong. Few, if any, GMs would even consider that trade today. And who would blame them?

Kobe Coming Around On Andrew Bynum?

In what has to be one early season highlights for the energetic and potentially surprising Lakers, the new, young-teammate-friendly Kobe Bryant praised his 20-year-old teammate, Andrew Bynum, for his effort in the young season. "He's working really hard in practice and before practice, and I see a lot of improvement in him," Bryant said. "The more he plays, the more his feet get wet, the more he gets acclimated to the type of conditioning that he needs to play at this level, but he's doing a fantastic job."

Of course, this is the same Andrew Bynum that was the target of some less-than-flattering remarks from Kobe Bryant in the off-season, after the Lakers refused to include Bynum in a trade for New Jersey guard Jason Kidd before last season’s trade deadline. In realizing that A) Bynum will be in L.A. for the time being, B) He [Kobe] will also be in L.A. for the time being and C) Bynum does actually have some pretty serious game, Kobe is taking steps to help the Lakers’ young center, both on the floor, where he is noticeably taking more of a mentor role with Bynum, talking to him and giving suggestions between plays, and off the floor, with sincere and encouraging words about his development. The only thing better than a talented, hard-working young player? A talented, hard-working young player being pushed toward success by the league’s most talented and hardest-working player!

Let's See What We've Got

It’s time to stop protecting Andrew Bynum- let’s throw him into the fire and see what we’ve got. By now everyone knows that last season the Lakers’ belief in Bymun’s potential as a franchise center led them to pass up the opportunity to acquire Jason Kidd, drawing the ire of Kobe Bryant and contributing, at least in part, to his desire to leave the Lakers. The Lakers’ front office made an executive decision and now the team has to live with it- but let’s start living with it already! Bynum is entering his third year, he’s visibly bigger and stronger than last year, he showed some flashes of his potential last season and had a very impressive preseason this year (He wasn’t terrible in his 19 minutes on Tuesday night either- just 4 points, but 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and NO turnovers). What more are we waiting for? Name Andrew Bynum the starting center, start giving him some serious minutes and let’s see what the kid can do. Not that it was a conscious decision at the time, but dynamic duo of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss indirectly chose Andrew Bynum over Kobe Bryant last season. Time to start living with that decision.

Note: Apparently Bynum was late in arriving at the arena on Tuesday night, understandably leading Phil Jackson to bench him for a good portion of the game as punishment. However, let’s hope we’re not in for a season’s worth of 19-minute outings for Andrew Bynum.

Seriously- Could Kobe Bryant Be Traded?

After taking a look at the events that led to Kobe Bryant demanding to be traded away from the Lakers, it’s important to examine another equally important question- would the Lakers actually trade Kobe Bryant? And if they did, what the best they could afford to get in exchange?

Given Kobe’s trade request and Jerry Buss’ willingness to listen to offers for his superstar, it’s easy to hastily assume that the Lakers (and Jerry Buss) will accommodate Kobe’s request for a trade. Not to go all Lee Corso on you but, NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND! It’s important to keep in mind that Kobe is not the first Lakers’ superstar to request a trade! Early in the 1982 season, at odds with Paul Westhead’s coaching style as well as fellow point guard Norm Nixon, Magic Johnson requested a trade away from the organization (yeah, that’s the same Magic Johnson who played his entire career with the Lakers and has since become the face of the organization) . How did that play out? Well… inside of a week, Paul Westhead was fired and replaced by Pat Riley. Less than two years later, Norm Nixon was traded to the San Diego Clippers in exchange for rookie shooting guard Byron Scott.

While Kobe’s issues with the organization differ slightly from Magic’s complaints in the early 1980s, their overall theme was the same- I want to win and I’ll do whatever it takes, but things need to change. Also worth noting is that Kobe may be even more vital to the organization now than Magic Johnson was back then. At least Magic had the help of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (at the tail-end of his prime), Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper and Bob McAdoo, not to mention the yet-to-be-traded Norm Nixon. Minus Kobe, these Lakers don’t have nearly the talent of the team from 25 years ago. Kobe Bryant is the only thing keeping the modern-day Lakers relevant, both commercially as well as competitively. It’s easily to only think of the impact Kobe has on the Lakers’ win-loss column, but the impact of his jersey sales, television revenue and ticket sales on the team’s bank account is every bit as important. Plus, unless he’s willing to sit out a significant number of games in order to force a trade (PR suicide that avid poker-player and business savvy owner Jerry Buss will gladly allow Kobe to commit), the universally feared opt-out in Bryant’s contract cannot be exercised until July 2009- that’s a lot of time for things to change.

Who knows? Maybe the Lakers’ young players will mature into a top-flight supporting cast. Maybe the Lakers will succeed in bringing in another star to line up alongside Kobe. Maybe the Lakers will decide that this era is over and invite Kobe to opt-out and blow town. Who knows? With Kobe Bryant’s public trade demand hurting his value on this open market and the Lakers not yet forced to make a move, and Kobe out of ways to force the organization’s hand, the one certainty is that patience will be the order of the day.

Should the Lakers do the unexpected and trade Kobe Bryant, where would he go and what could they reasonably expect to receive in exchange? Not nearly enough. As Kobe’s contract contained the NBA’s only full no-trade clause, allowing him to dictate where he will and will not play, the primary potential trade partners for the Lakers are the Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns.

The most common rumored destination for Kobe Bryant (and his top choice) is Chicago, in exchange for a combination of Ben Gordon/Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas, P.J. Brown (cap relief) and a draft pick. Although the players mentioned in this trade rumor have plenty of talent and potential, there is NO justifiable reason for the Lakers to accept such an offer. Why give up a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer in his prime to acquire half (give or take) of the core of a team that can’t even get over the hump in the J.V. Conference? If the Bulls haven’t managed to win the Eastern Conference yet, what would give anyone the impression that three of their good (not great) players, combined with Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, could contend in the West?

Assuming the lakers can resist the allure of becoming the Bulls of the Western Conference (only less competitive), that leaves Dallas and Phoenix as the only other possible destinations for Kobe. With Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban stating that he would not trade Dirk Nowitzki to acquire Kobe Bryant, Dallas does not have the combination of talent or star power to make a compelling offer to the Lakers for Kobe. This leaves the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers’ Pacific Division rivals and an extremely unattractive option from the Lakers’ perspective, but the team capable of putting together the best package of Kobe’s three choices. Although the idea of trading Kobe is something of a worst-cast scenario, a package of either Amare Stoudemire or Shawn Marion (far more likely), along with Leandro Barbosa and Marcus Banks is one that would have to be considered.

With all of that said, the fact remains that the Lakers are unlikely to deal Kobe Bryant this season because a) it is nearly impossible to get full value in return for him and b) they don’t have to trade him. At this point the upper hand belongs to the Lakers. The team has two years to survey the market and assess as many offers as possible, and all the while Kobe, who is FAR to smart to sit out a season in an attempt to force a trade, will have to be in full “audition mode” for the rest of league for the next two seasons, meaning the Lakers will be getting his very best effort on the court (not that he doesn’t give his best on regular basis anyway). Frankly, the smart play on the part of the Lakers will be to force Kobe Bryant to play this season and at least the first half of the 2008-09 season with the team before making a decision. If at that point Kobe Bryant is still the NBA’s greatest player, there will undoubtedly be great demand for his services. If he begins to show signs of slowing down, the Lakers will still hold the advantage, because the team can then dare any other NBA team to give a 31 year-old, not-as-dominant-as-he-once-was Kobe a $110+ million contract (which he will demand) if he chooses to opt-out of his contract- or he will elect to serve out the last two years of his contract (2009-10 & 2010-11) and earn nearly $48 million.

To answer the original question- could Kobe Bryant be traded? Sure, he could. But he probably won’t. Kobe does not have nearly as much leverage as he believes he does and you can bet that a savvy businessman like Jerry Buss knows this. The Lakers best move is to force Kobe to play for them in his “contract year” which could last the next two seasons.

How The Lakers Got Here

Will Kobe Bryant be traded?

There’s no doubt that until the issue of Kobe’s future with the Lakers is resolved, this will be the biggest question surrounding the 2007-08 Los Angeles Lakers. In looking to assign responsibility for the breakdown in the relationship between the league’s best player and his front office, it’s easy to be simplistic and resort to using absolutes to point the finger at the various players in this bizarre game. But it’s not a black-and-white issue. For more than three years trouble has been brewing, with several members of the Lakers’ organization adding to an increasing frustrating situation, culminating (for now) in one of the greatest players in franchise history demanding to be traded away from the only that he’s ever played for. So is the foundation of the dispute in Lakerland personal or professional? Actually, it’s both.

Not only has the front office failed to produce a championship contender in the post-Shaq, a series of personal agendas and conflicts have created an air of distrust throughout the Laker organization. What happened? How did we get here? Well…

The trouble with the Lakers can be traced back to June 2005. Fresh off an embarrassing NBA Finals loss against the underdog Detroit Pistons, the Lakers, whose “4 Hall of Famers” lineup (Kobe, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton) fell three wins short of its ultimate goal, were entering a period of transition. In the days following the end of the season, with Phil Jackson on his way out of town, the relationship between Shaq and Kobe now beyond repair and the local media screaming for change, general manger Mitch Kupchak and the new Lakers front office kicked off their legacy of personnel mismanagement.

In late June 2004, it became obvious that the organization would have to make a difficult decision. Shaquille O’Neal’s desire for a huge-money contract extension, combined with Phil Jackson’s exit, the advancing age of the rest of the Lakers’ core and the inability of Shaq and Kobe to coexist any longer led Mitch Kupchak to acknowledge that trading Shaq was indeed a possibility- thus alienating the team’s star center and surrendered any leverage the Lakers may have had in trying to deal him. Then, on July 14, 2004, the Lakers traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat for a package of two talented young forwards (Lamar Odom and Caron Butler), power forward Brian Grant and a future first round draft pick. Obviously it would have been very difficult (impossible?) to receive equal value for Shaq, but Kupchak’s inability to add a legitimate star to the roster in the deal was an early signal of the tough times that were to come.

The following day, after briefly (and publicly) flirting with the idea of leaving the Lakers as a free agent, Kobe Bryant signed a seven-year, $136 million contract, feeding the public perception that the team’s only reason for trading Shaquille O’Neal was to appease Kobe. This not entirely true. The fact is that while Kobe Bryant was probably not heartbroken to see Shaquille O’Neal shipped out of L.A., Jerry Buss’ desire to avoid a) paying the NBA’s luxury tax and b) paying Shaq about $30 million a year into his 30s were the primary drivers behind the deal.

The 2004-05 season was a difficult one that saw the Kobe-led Lakers struggle to a 34-48 finish and just the second trip in franchise history to the NBA Draft Lottery. On draft day, Mitch Kupchak and new wing man Jim Buss (a far cry from the days of Jerry West and Jerry Buss teaming up in the front office), son of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, selected Andrew Bynum, a 17 year-old center from St. Joseph’s High School in New Jersey with 10^th pick in NBA Draft. Though he’s blessed with NBA size and has shown flashes of potential, a teenage center is hardly an ideal addition to a team looking to quickly return to contention (as had been promised to Kobe Bryant prior to his re-signing). This is especially true considering the fact that more polished, experienced players like Sean May, Danny Granger and Hakim Warrick still on the board.

However, the 2004-05 season was not without its bright spots. The newly acquired Lamar Odom (15.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.7 apg) and Caron Butler (15.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 spg; and the only member of the 2004-05 Lakers that was NOT deathly afraid of Kobe Bryant) put together very strong all-round seasons. Despite the risky selection of Bynum in the draft, the combination of Bryant, Odom and Butler, signaled the possibility of a rapid return to contention for the Lakers- then disaster struck! While it could be argued that the Lakers had to trade Shaquille O’Neal, the decision to trade Caron Butler to the Washington Wizards for Michael Jordan’s ill-fated #1 overall selection, perpetual underachiever Kwame Brown (who received a 3-year, $24 million contract extension upon arrival) will never be justified. It’s not clear which of the Keystone Cops in the front office signed off on this deal, but this trade could prove to be more damaging to the Lakers than the Shaquille O’Neal trade.

Following the return of Phil Jackson, the Lakers have progressed, making consecutive appearances in playoffs, even pushing the heavily-favored Phoenix Suns to the brink of elimination in 2005-06. However, at no point during this period have they contended for either a conference, or NBA, championship. The issue of finding a consistent floor leader to play alongside Kobe Bryant was nearly resolved before the 2007 trade deadline when the Lakers had the opportunity to acquire Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets. Inexplicably, the Lakers passed on the opportunity to team the league’s top offensive weapon with its top playmaker because Jim Buss, the West Coast equivalent of Hank Steinbrenner, was unwilling to part to part with “his guy” Andrew Bynum in exchange for the opportunity to once again be relevant in the Western Conference. It was this episode, combined with the Lakers’ lackluster playoff showing against the Suns and the realization that his front office was willing to risk the remaining years of his prime over personal agendas that led to Kobe Bryant’s trade request and.

So… that, in about a thousand words (I should have just used a picture!) is a breakdown of the managerial decisions that hampered the Lakers’ rebuilding effort of the past three years. While the petulance of Kobe Bryant and the arrogance of Jerry Buss to humor him in his game of chicken have not done much to help the situation in Lakerland, it’s the inability of the Lakers’ front office to devise a coherent plan for building a contending team around Kobe that has landed one of the NBA’s great franchises is disarray.

Tomorrow- could Kobe Bryant actually be traded? If so, what will the market bear?