RealGM

who is better now? who is more important to this team?

discuss.

i think they are both equally important but bynum has more potential b/c of his strength. i just can't imagine seeing both of these guys on the floor at once making other teams look like midget men; i think i'll cry out of joy

Right now... And for our ultimate goals this season....

Bynum is more important because even thought we a re winning games, without Bynum we aren't quite ready to compete with the top 2 or 3 teams for the title.

This team needs better Defense right now more than anything else. We also need a big body down low to handle the post. That's what Bynum gives us. And that's why at the moment he will be more valuable to us and our goals than Gasol.

Showtime:Part2 wrote:who is better now? who is more important to this team?

discuss.

2 different players.

Pau is better offensively in virtually every regard. The only area where Bynum has 1 up on Pau is he is a little more powerful and can impose himself physically a little better. However in every other offensive facet, Pau is better.

Bynum is better defensively than Pau, hands down. Bynum can alter shots just by his presence, whereas Pau isn't really much of an intimidator.

Right now, Pau is more important to the team's IMMEDIATE success. They are clicking on all cylinders and it looks like Pau has been with the taem for years.

Bynum, however, without question is more important down the line, and if you factor his overall skillset with his age, I'd have to say he is "ultimately more important".

So to sum up my answer:

Pau = better now
Andrew = more important to the team overall

Yup, and as much as I love Gasol's game for us so far, his rebounding is somewhat lacking haha. Bynum is a superior shotblocker/rebounder over Gasol which is what I think more important to this team and it's success. Gasol on the other hand, I doubt he will ever lay those goose egg games against teams like Boston like how Bynum and Odom have.

i think will have more impact because of his defense

^ you meant to put Bynum right?

dang
yes i did, nice job guessing

I am glad to see this is who is better not we can't play both so who starts because they will play great next to each other imo.
The question is a tough one. Gasol is a franchise player who would rather be a second option and I am not sure if Bynum is. When Bynum comes back if he wants more shots Gasol will happily be a third option which makes him very valuable.
Bynum would be my answer though because not only is Bynum great on offense but Bynum is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker and a guy who clogs the lane. Gasol is almost a liability on D even though he blocks shots.
Gasol is good enough to build a team around but it's arguable and with Bynum if you were to build a team around him nobody would ever say there best player is not good enough to win.

My opinion of our top 10 best players in order would be

1.Kobe
2.Bynum
3.Gasol
4.Odom
5.Farmar
6.Fisher
7.Sasha-He has moved way up in the last month or so
8.Ariza
9.Luke
10.Ronny
10.Radman Tied with Ronny

Gasol has been an awesome addition. With him, other teams have to focus on him as well as on Kobe, so there is much less pressure on Kobe and he doesn't get double-teamed as much. Gasol is a definite offensive force other teams have to deal with. I think his defense has also been a pleasant surprise. He is smart defensively. Gets good position, rebounds, and blocks some shots.

Bynum's contribution will in rebounding and defense initially when he gets back. He will need to continue to work on his offensive moves and arsenal over the next few years, but he can be a defensive and rebounding force now.

I think they both have excellent basketball IQs which will help them coexist. This wil not be a Randolph/Curry situation.

They will both be tremendously important for this team for years to come.

DJ...

To really answer this question on who is better now I think we have to bring in the LO factor. How did he play when Bynum was playing? And how is he playing with Gasol? Bynum is a force in the middle but I dont know that he makes anyone better. Yes the team was better when Bynum was on his game but thats because he improved not because he was making the game easier for other people. Gasol has clearly mad LO better and getting open looks for guys like the Machine, Fish and Radman. This is a really tough question.

Good point on Odom but so much of Odom's game is mental and now that he knows he is the 4th (once Bynum comes back) option and there is no pressure on him it has made him better. Also Bynum wasn't getting the minutes Gasol gets and that is a big factor as well.
Bynum does make all the shooters better and he saves them on D as well with his shotblcoking.

Yeah, This can go either way. Bynum is a beast in the middle and Gasol is a crafty seven footer. its gravy either way.

I'd choose Bynum for his defense and toughness. BUT they both bring different things to the table. Pau has more of a complete game. Better touch, can step away and hit a J, can take his man off the dribble, better passer, decent defender, lacks weak side help. Bynum's a better rebounder, finisher, banger, defender. That's why i'm so glad we got both of them. Where one lacks, the other excels in. It's perfect. Like I said earlier. We have a Thunder & Lightning line up with Pau and Bynum on the court. One with finesse and the other in Bynum will bang and slam it down your throat. Similar to football teams with 2 running backs. One with quickness and finesse that could break one, and the other a smash mouth banger to pick up the 3rd n shorts or goal line touchdowns. We are very fortunate to have our lineup. It's almost surreal we are in this situation.

Tough pick. At our best with both respectively we were number one in the west. And right before the injury we crushed Phoenix. I think we are good either way. I think the more all around complete player is Gasol though.

Kobe D wrote:I'd choose Bynum for his defense and toughness. BUT they both bring different things to the table. Pau has more of a complete game. Better touch, can step away and hit a J, can take his man off the dribble, better passer, decent defender, lacks weak side help. Bynum's a better rebounder, finisher, banger, defender. That's why i'm so glad we got both of them. Where one lacks, the other excels in. It's perfect. Like I said earlier. We have a Thunder & Lightning line up with Pau and Bynum on the court. One with finesse and the other in Bynum will bang and slam it down your throat. Similar to football running backs. One with quickness and finesse, and the other banger to pick up the 3rd n shorts or goal line touchdowns. We are very fortunate to have our lineup. It's almost surreal we are in this situation.

Exactly which is why I am just stunned when people say Bynum should come off the bench. It's almost like the Mavs getting DHoward and saying he should come off the bench because they have Dirk.
They are gonna make each other better. If I had to choose a player to make Bynum better at the 4 spot or vice versa I would have a hard time making a better match.

100% Agree

lakerRD wrote:Gasol has been an awesome addition. With him, other teams have to focus on him as well as on Kobe, so there is much less pressure on Kobe and he doesn't get double-teamed as much. Gasol is a definite offensive force other teams have to deal with. I think his defense has also been a pleasant surprise. He is smart defensively. Gets good position, rebounds, and blocks some shots.

Bynum's contribution will in rebounding and defense initially when he gets back. He will need to continue to work on his offensive moves and arsenal over the next few years, but he can be a defensive and rebounding force now.

I think they both have excellent basketball IQs which will help them coexist. This wil not be a Randolph/Curry situation.

They will both be tremendously important for this team for years to come.

+ 1.5

hmm...with bynum and without gasol..the lakers are playoff contenders

with gasol and without bynum, lakers are legit title contenders

right now gasol is better but eff it

WE GOT BOTH! hahaha