Sacrifice games for development of Bynum?

[andykeikei]

I have noticed that Bynum has been really passive in recent games. He rarely fought position down low and often looked confused during games.
As a fellow Lakers fans, are you willing to sacrifice some offense, or even some games, to make Bynum as our first post option? For example, It's like telling Pau to stay away from the post and let Bynum does his things. I know that Bynum shouldn't care much about offense as his help D and rebounding are the most valuable to this team. However, as a young player, I think it's important for his teammates to keep feeding him to help him focus, or motivate during games. It will also help Bynum to get his rhythm back sooner than later.
What do you think? I would rather lose a few games now than seeing a disinterested, unmotivated Bynum playing for us.

[That Nicka]

ummm no...

If it aint broke, dont fix it.... Lakers are destroying the competition by having Bynum just focus on defense and only scoring on easy buckets... We have enough offense between Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Fisher, Farmar, Ariza and Sasha... Bynum will naturally get better through practice and experience.. No need to force anything through him

That said, if the Lakers start losing, then it will be time to re-evaluate things

[Kobay]

We really can't have gasol and bynum together for offense and recently haven't worked defensively either. Actually, i say BySol experiment has failed thus far.

[That Nicka]

^ lol seriously? We're 9-1...

[Chubby Chaser]

NO. I would not sacrifice ONE GAME to force feed Bynum the ball in the post. It has never been more apparent than now that Home Court Advantage is absolutely HUGE in the playoffs. Last year, the refs blatantly favored the home team and the only series we lost was the one we didn't have home court advantage in. It's already going to be an uphill battle for us to keep pace with the Celtics seeing that they play in the LEASTERN conference while we have to try and beat the big boys in the west every night. Every game is important. I can't remember a time when there was this much emphasis in getting home court advantage. But last years playoffs showed how important it was with the officiating. Kobe realized this, which is why he didn't get surgery on his pinkie. He knew he couldn't miss any games and we needed to finish with the best record in the league.

[AceFresh]

ummm no...

[Dr Aki]

have cake and eat it too? blasphemous!!

[SashAlex]

WTF ?!!?

[hermes]

why don't we just develop Bynum and still win games?

everyone ok with that, good

done and done

[CX44]

We really can't have gasol and bynum together for offense and recently haven't worked defensively either. Actually, i say BySol experiment has failed thus far.

9-1 is a failure? Then what is success?

[Dexmor]

Bynum's defense has been great. His offense is clearly there. He is very young so he isn't completely polished although you can totally see the Kareem in him.
The less the players have to do the better. That just makes them more fit for the playoffs.

[dockingsched]

We really can't have gasol and bynum together for offense and recently haven't worked defensively either. Actually, i say BySol experiment has failed thus far.

9-1 is a failure? Then what is success?

odom/gasol

odom/bynum

[lakersfanatic]

He was told to be a defensive player since the beginning of the season and i think he has done quite well. I mean averaging 3 blocks a game is awesome in my book. So i think they're doing fine. We haven't played the whole nba teams yet so i think phil is just stepping back and evaluating what matchup is good with what teams.. etc..

So i wouldn't change anything just yet.

[CX44]

We really can't have gasol and bynum together for offense and recently haven't worked defensively either. Actually, i say BySol experiment has failed thus far.

9-1 is a failure? Then what is success?

odom/gasol

odom/bynum

Are you suggesting Odom is a failure? If anything I commend Odom for accepting a reduced role in a contract year and putting beside his feelings prior to the regular season starting. Not many people would be happy with losing millions of dollars because of their reduced role, even if it means they may win a championship.

[Erik Eleven]

Patience. He's been told not to worry too much about his offense just yet. If he doesn't have to worry, why do we? Let him get back into form at a steady pace and let him solidify his defense for a while. Remember what he looked like last November? About the same as he does now, only without Pau there to ease his offensive "burden".

If Bynum and Pau start playing better offense together sometime in March, I'll be happy. As long as we're winning every game, I'm fine. Phil knows how ugly their wins have been. It won't look anything like this in May and June.

There is a slight misconception of what's going on, though, it seems. Gasol is still planting himself down low every time down the floor. Bynum's current offensive task seems to be to set the high picks. Once Bynum gets his conditioning back to par, those roles will probably be reversed. They should. For now, I'll assume this is by Phil's design in order to bring Bynum along smoothly.

[iamworthy]

Are you suggesting Odom is a failure? If anything I commend Odom for accepting a reduced role in a contract year and putting beside his feelings prior to the regular season starting. Not many people would be happy with losing millions of dollars because of their reduced role, even if it means they may win a championship.

No he is saying that odom/gasol and odom/bynum is the success and I have to agree with him. We are not winning because of the Bynum/Gasol combo. Matter of fact they play very few minutes together. Our 9-1 record is a example of this teams talent and depth, nothing more. While I think Bynum/Gasol will start clicking around the all-star break right now its not looking good. Once LO and Ariza comes in the games thats when we usually go on our runs.

[CX44]

The second unit goes on runs because they are far more talented than any second unit in the NBA. If the Lakers starters are able to keep games close there is no reason to believe that the second unit can not take over games and extend leads.

[iamworthy]

The second unit goes on runs because they are far more talented than any second unit in the NBA. If the Lakers starters are able to keep games close there is no reason to believe that the second unit can not take over games and extend leads.

I agree. But the fact that you made this comment,"If the Lakers starters are able to keep games close" lets me know that you must feel the same way as most of us. There is no reason the first unit shouldnt be man-handleing most of these teams on a night in night out basis. They should be doing more that "keeping the game close" When you have two 7' footer on the floor and a guy by the named of Kobe you should be way more impressive then whats been displayed. But that wont happen until Gasol/Bynum learn to play with each other.

[lakersfanatic]

With the shorter minutes that the 2nd unit has... they can afford to expend their energy on a faster pace.. now if you add in the talent that our bench has, that's a lethal combination.

But i ulitmately think Phil should occasionally mix and match the starters like rad for ariza or Lo.. etc..

This makes it harder for the opponent to adjust to their lineup. Teams will eventually catch on and create their defense against us..

[LLcoleJ]

We play to win every game , so we can get home court and possibly win a championship. Bynum is going to have to figure it out on his won. Lets give him some credit and believe he can.