Comparison of Two Big Men

acion · Post #1 » by **acion** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:59 pm

If you were to compare the following two big men:

Big Man #1: Age 20, 7'0 260, ppg 11.4, rbs 8.1, fg% .485, Blocks PG 2.0, NBA experience 1 year

vs.

Big Man #1 Age 21, 7'0 275, ppg 12.7, rbs 7.7, fg% .538, Blocks PG 1.7, NBA experience 3 years

Without know who is who (and I'm sure most can guess anyway) which player would you rather have? I seems to have more upside (player 1 is younger, less experienced, a better rebounder and similar stats), while #2 has a higher field goal %, slightly better offensive numbers.

As most of you can guess #2 is Andrew Bynum, and most might have guessed that #2 is Brook Lopez for the Nets. Now in all this, you could also argue that Bynum is on a better team thus is harder to get stats (but conversely you can argue that Bynum doesn't get double-teamed, has more open shots, and that's why his FG % is higher) or you argue that the West is deeper with big men - though some of Lopez's best games have come against the Celtics and the Trailblazers - both with strong inside games. Another way of thinking of it, if the two were switched would their numbers change after a half season of getting acclimated; and my guess is that Bynum's offensive numbers would be a bit higher, his FG % lower, and his rebounds about the same; and Lopez's offensive numbers would be the same, but his FG% higher, and his rebounds slightly higher.

Rather than trying to down Bynum, the lightbulb went off for me about whether this supposed 'upside' for Bynum is real at this point or imagined. Even if you say he really only has 1 year of real experience (though 2.5 years of NBA level practice, training, and acclimation) - Lopez hasn't been through a full NBA season yet.

To me this suggests that Bynum will be a solid but not a superstar big man (a 15-18ppg; 9 rebpg type) - which is okay - but maybe doesn't deserve the superlatives often tossed his way when discussing the future.

Post #2 » by **crazyeights** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:23 pm

I would hardly call Bynum a 2.5 year veteran. The Lakers have been taking their time with him, but with injuries to Mihm and Kwame it made playing Andrew an absolute necessity.

He has very few games under his belt. He's playing on a team that apparently only needs him to get one block shot to win. Also, he's returning from an injury that kept him out for over half the season and playoffs.

Let your boy Brook go through knee surgery before you compare the two.

Or how about the entire season at least?

Me though, if you're asking me, I don't think the stats show what you're saying. Your Post is based on numbers (that is the point for not including names...at least for one paragraph, right?).

Bynum is shooting true big-man percentages (rather than that of a **** guard) then I take option number 2.

For .3 blocks per game and a rebound or two, I'd rather have someone who shoots at a high clip and keeps the defense honest, making things easier for Kobe, Pau, and our shooters.

As for rebounding, Bynum is being taken from the rim in P&R and has made a concerted effort at that end, since that has been our Achilles heel for a decade.

You also underscore the fact that Bynum is on one of the deepest teams in years, even with injuries. Ask Shareef what playing on bad teams can do to your numbers.

The jury is still out on AB. I know it's a slow time in the season, but this type of thread means nothing 40 games in.

Dr Aki · Post #3 » by **Dr Aki** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:00 pm

what i love about numbers for numbers sake, is that they never tell the whole story

brook lopez's numbers are skewed upwards because hes basically their best big already in a very perimeter orientated team, another such example of such is andris biedrins and the warriors or even dwight howard for the magic to a certain degree

bynum on the other hand, has been specifically asked to sacrifice his offensive game in order to further benefit the team with 5 talented bigs with a perfectly decent center in chris mihm who cannot get PT. who's 4th year in the league should really be his 2nd year actually playing any role in the lakers success

as much as becoming a superstar, i certainly dont think bynum will ever reach those heights, but a solid all-defensive 1/2/3 team center? i certainly believe he can and is where his biggest impact to the lakers has been already and for the future

Gus McCrae · Post #4 » by **Gus McCrae** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:01 pm

put Lopez next to Gasol and see if his numbers take a hit. Yes, he's a VERY good rookie center and probably will end up getting a Bynum type of contract if he keeps it up. Just because we signed Bynum for a max contract doesn't mean that he's the best center in the league. Lopez was drafted higher than Bynum in his class so I don't see why Bynum has to be better than Lopez.

hermes · Post #5 » by **hermes** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:17 pm

acion wrote:If you were to compare the following two big men:

Big Man #1: Age 20, 7'0 260, ppg 11.4, rbs 8.1, fg% .485, Blocks PG 2.0, NBA experience 1 year

vs.

Big Man #1 Age 21, 7'0 275, ppg 12.7, rbs 7.7, fg% .538, Blocks PG 1.7, NBA experience 3 years

As most of you can guess #2 is Andrew Bynum, and most might have guessed that #2 is Brook Lopez for the Nets.

you lost me right here

although i did eliminate Oden, because neither were 40 years old

acion · Post #6 » by **acion** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:04 pm

OK, I give - just food for thought... now slinking back into the lurker hole!

TylersLakers · Post #7 » by **TylersLakers** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:06 pm

Brook Lopez also went to college. Totally different than Bynum. This is Bynum's fourth year. He'd be a senior at UConn if he decided to stay in college.

So, Lopez will be more polished coming out of college as compared to Drew.

microfib4thewin · Post #8 » by **microfib4thewin** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:07 pm

First year - Bynum only played 100 minutes. Second year - Only started when Kwame is injured, averaged 20 minutes. Third year - Played 35 games.

That isn't two and a half season.

hermes · Post #9 » by **hermes** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:41 pm

microfib4thewin wrote:First year - Bynum only played 100 minutes. Second year - Only started when Kwame is injured, averaged 20 minutes. Third year - Played 35 games.

That isn't two and a half season.

you forgot to round up

aroba · Post #10 » by **aroba** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:51 am

I really like Brook Lopez. He's going to be a nice center for years to come, but...

....Bynum is on a different league right now. Is not just that he's playing on a better team (and having way less shining chances because of ball sharing), what makes it harder is having to play each night vs teams that want to play the best against you. Every team wants to beat Lakers in the West and Celtics in the East. Defenses get harder, every loose ball is a battle.

Now go check Nets' games. If any teams wants to win the game, that's the Nets. Pretty different.

What FG% would have Bynum on the Nets?. Just wow.