RealGM Articles:Bynum Darkhorse MVP?

[Darain]

Andrew Bynum Unleashed
By: Jonathan Tjarks
Aug 19, 2012 6:44 PM EDT

While the Los Angeles Lakers received most of the headlines in the Dwight Howard mega-deal, the new-look Philadelphia 76ers are nearly as intriguing. Andrew Bynum, still only 24 years old, is a legitimate franchise player. Now, for the first time in his seven-year NBA career, he will get the chance to be one.

Bynum, a mammoth 7’0, 285 center with deft footwork and a soft touch in the paint, is the most dominant low-post player in the NBA. In a league getting smaller and more perimeter-oriented by the year, he is the rare center who can force small-ball teams to adjust to him. With the highest usage rating of his career (23.6) in 2012, he produced eye-popping stats: 18.7 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks on 56% shooting.

However, he’s as well known for petulant behavior as dominant play. Bynum openly rebelled against the Lakers' coaching staff last year, launching three-pointers and ignoring them in huddles while refusing to apologize or take responsibility for his actions. In their first round victory over the Denver Nuggets, his “effort” getting back on defense was often inexcusable.

Combined with his lack of offensive consistency, his often indifferent attitude has colored his reputation around the NBA. But as Shaquille O'Neal once famously said, if you don’t give the dog a bone, he’s not going to guard the house. As a big man who depends on his guards to give him the ball, Bynum’s inconsistency and attitude issues have stemmed from a roster that couldn’t (or wouldn’t) maximize his considerable abilities.....

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/article/22 ... z242Piia2u

[Jazzfan12]

Well, his supporting cast is terrible so at least he'll have an argument or something for bringing a lot of wins they wouldn't have got otherwise.

He doesn't have the ability to be MVP though.

[crosko42]

He'd need to average 28/12/3 and lead the 76ers to the top seed to get a chance at MVP.

[Beard]

I think he's a likely MVP candidate. After Lebron and Durant, he's my third place in MVP liklihood.

[Nowitness]

Possibly, needs to be a 20/10/2blks guys though to have a chance against Lebron / Durant / Howard / Love/Kobe.

[b1ind]

If he can get something like 24/12/2.5 while making the Sixers a top 2 seed, he'll get MVP.

[Dreamz]

For that to happen, the 76ers need to have the best record in the league. I dont think Bynum can help this team make that big of a jump, but who knows? Many didnt think Rose would ever win an MVP.

[LateRoundFlyer]

This just in: in a blind test, RealGM posters approve of Bleacher Report-style trash when posted on RealGM.

[BattleTested]

I love how Bynum plays 60 games a couple of times and is all of a sudden an MVP candidate. If, and that's a big if because he's still very injury prone, he's able to get through the season without missing a significant chunk of time, he'll probably be top 10 in the MVP race. He'll have a rough transition into being a #1 option though. He really can't handle double teams and historically without Kobe his efficiency falls off a cliff. Lots of question marks with Bynum. My dark horse MVP would be Deron Williams or Dwight.

[Jugs]

Jonathan tjarks is the worst

[Mamba Mentality]

He'd need to average 28/12/3 and lead the 76ers to the top seed to get a chance at MVP.

And that's going to be highly unlikely. He'll probably average somewhere around 20, 12, and 2. He's still pretty raw.

[Jay10]

Bynum is currently in cruise control until he retires

[picc]

lol

I cannot wait for this season.

[nykballa2k4]

This just in: in a blind test, RealGM posters approve of Bleacher Report-style trash when posted on RealGM.

Article said "eye popping stats" followed by "18 points 12 rebounds 2 blocks"

I think Darko Milicic can put up those numbers with that "career high usage rate" the article was talking about...

Bynum is a #2 option, and no defensive anchor, that is why he was traded for Dwight Howard...

I understand darkhorse means "out of no where" but I would give Javale McGee more chance of MVP than Bynum

[springz]

People have to realize Bynum's stats have been hindered by playing with the highest usage% player in the league the last few seasons (and of all time). His stats per minute are going to increase, that's a given. Playing with a chucker inhibits your stats. Just the way it is.

Playing with a starting lineup of Holiday/Richardson or Young/Turner/Hawes/Bynum, he's going to produce on the regular. Even if Philly plays more of a slow, grind it style (as they should) and get slightly less shots off per minute than his previous Lakers teams, he's going to be the focal point. It's a given now that he's playing for a coach that understands half court basketball and he's on a team that plays more of a team ball style.

It wouldn't be unbelievable to see Bynum's stats go from 18.7/11.8/1.9blk to 22.5/12.5/2.2blk with a couple more minutes per game.

Bynum is a #2 option

No.

[Bertrob]

No reason to see why he won't be a good candidate
Good player, focal point of his team, the cards are on the table he just has to use them

[Gus McCrae]

I could see top 10 candidate if Philly is a top 5-7 team in the league and Bynum puts up 23/10 w/ 2 blocks on 55%

The real key will be Philly's team record.

[JSPEC SW20]

Bynum will put up nice stats, but him being an MVP candidate obviously will depend on Philly's record. I'd say if they are a convincing top 5 team in the league, and no lower than 3 seed in the east, he MAY have a shot.

[Gus McCrae]

As a Lakerfan who's watched every game w/ Bynum since he's been in the league, his main drag is he does not bring it every night. He wasn't a #1 option on the Lakers so I can give him a pass for it, but I don't really know if his body or mentality can carry a team to a top 5 record night in and night out.

[TwentyOne920]

Bynum will get better stats. More points because he's the first option, more rebounds because he's not playing alongside a dominant rebounder.

MVP? Only if PHI gets a top 3 seed.