Bynum?

[jazzfan1971]

I have Bynum in a keeper league. And frankly, he's been very underwhelming. I'm wondering if the kid is all hype and I should look to move him before his value plummets.

OR.

Is the kid just fighting through injuries and will be a top player for me for years to come.


I know fans always see their own young players with rose colored glasses, but, I'd like to hear what some of you more sober fans that get to see him play on a regular basis have to say.

[Sedale Threatt]

I'd keep him for at least another year. He's got his flaws, but he's definitely shown flashes of being very, very good. The injuries have obviously sidetracked his past two seasons.

[aroba]

I say trade him.
He absolutely looks like another Ralp Sampson. We could get HUGE profit from his actual market value right before everyone loses faith on him.

[TylersLakers]

Keep him. He'll always be a pretty good offensive player, we know that. If he starts and always plays consistent minutes, he'll always average at least 12-15 points a game.. and that will increase throughout the years as Kobe's minutes and shots begin to decline.

He'll always be an okay shot blocker, in between 1-3 a game. The only area of his that really needs improving is his rebounding, and it's such a strange thing, when it was one of his strengths before the knee injuries.

If it's December next season and he's averaging 4.5 rebounds, then I'd be concerned.. but as a fantasy player, he gives you pretty good numbers for a C. He shoots a pretty good percentage from the free throw line as well, and you don't see that in too many big men.

[what would jack bauer do?]

He's clearly still injured, he really hasn't even jumped on defense or made any quick lateral movements. The slew of 20 and 10 games he had the month before his injury weren't a fluke. We're always at our best defensively when he's healthy. Last time he came back from injury it basically took him 3 months (until the end of December) to find his rhythm. He's trying to do that in a month and a half against players that are in top playoff conditioning. And even when he was healthy in January his elevation and defensive presence wasn't as good as it was preinjury in 07-08.

No doubt he looks like overpaid garbage right now, but he's definitely a keeper. He'll work hard in the offseason like he always does and he could use some time to get to 100% healthy. By the way Bynum is showing a little sign of life he made a very quick and decisive move against Nene last night... hadn't seen him move like that since January. It'll start to click for him hopefully by the time finals come around.

[Erik Eleven]

See sig.


EDIT:

Look up some highlights from January 2009, before the injury. 26 and 13 and a couple of blocks per game. Amongst all centers in the league, that's probably the best production money can buy.

Since coming back from the injury, he has struggled with conditioning and seems to have lost a little pep in his step, but it looked in the last three games as if he's starting to come back stronger and more disciplined by the game.

If he gets at least 25-30 minutes a game next season, he'll easily average a double double, maybe even over 20-10. My only question is; can he stay healthy?

/ my .02

[milesfides]

I find it really difficult to evaluate Bynum right now.

Earlier this year, I'd say he was untouchable. Like EE mentioned, he certainly has the capability to put up big numbers.

But he seems to be frequently injured. Which is a problem in itself, is he injury-prone? I think Gary Vitti said the way his body is built, he's susceptible to leg injuries. Greg Oden seems to be in the same boat.

On the other hand, guys like Dwight Howard is built solidly - I don't think he'll ever be injury prone until he gets old.

Injuries interrupt a player's development. It seems Bynum always has to go back a little, rediscover the fundamentals of the game, before getting some momentum in his play. But injuries have been a stumbling block for him, no question.

But what troubles me too is that Bynum said his struggles are mental, not physical. If that's the case, then there's some confidence issues, or focus and concentration problems. That's troubling, because he's been with this team too long to go through this again (I thought he was past this last year).

Then he qualified/contradicted that by saying his knee WAS bothering him. So I'm just confused about what the problem is. Is it mental or physical? Both? What really is going on? And there seems to be a problem between him and Phil Jackson. A sense of entitlement?

There's just so many things going on with Bynum right now.

On one hand, I'd say no center has more potential in the league than Bynum. Even more than Dwight Howard (Bynum has better size, a naturally softer touch).

But then again, I'm wondering whether our team could be better served with a dependable, high quality big man veteran than Bynum, who hasn't been reliable at all.

Take for example last year. If we had Luis Scola in the Boston series, we might have a championship already - and be in better position to win this year. And possibly the next 3-4 years.

Let's say Bynum gets past his injuries, mental issues, and becomes reliable in the next couple years. Does a Bynum-centered team have more championship-winning potential than a Kobe-centered team?

At this point, we don't NEED to move Bynum, because I think the fact is that even without him, we can contend for a championship with Kobe, Pau, Odom, and Ariza.

But there is the possibility that our team would be (and would have been) better if we had somebody more reliable.

One thing that I've been impressed with is that some players are built for the playoffs. Rugged, sacrificing, balls-to-the-wall, even a little dirty, just willing to do whatever is necessary to win.

And these guys aren't necessarily the all-stars - but can make a bigger impact.

He's going to have to prove that he can stay injury-free and be reliable month-to-month. But I think the Lakers have invested way too much into Bynum to give up on him any time soon (money, Kareem, etc.). The Lakers tend to hold onto players way past their due date, so if Bynum turns out to be a bust, just know that the Lakers will give him every chance until he's nearly an untradeable contract.

So I'd say hold onto him, especially considering the possibility that Lamar Odom may not be a Laker next year.

[Kreuk]

JO was garbage and rotted on the bench for how long? before he became good... if the jury is still out on odom, in this his 8th season or whatever then the jury is going to be out on bynum for at least another four years.

[Slava]

When he was healthy, there was an alleyoop fest at the rim. I'm not sure he's even 60% of what he was during that stretch but if he does lay off for another longer duration its time to loosen up a little on the big hopes we have for him.

[hermes]

if you can get lebron, i'd pull the trigger on that

[Slava]

If we can get any good impact player (Caron Butler type) I'd pull the trigger on that but I don't think the Lakers will.

[realfung]

Should keep Bynum, although he is not stable, but he is good enough to defend any center in the league.

[KObe Bryant]

It was just the minutes. He is not getting his playing time. He's been doing good in starts. They should fix that rotation in the off-season and have an odom-gasol-bynum lineup on the floor. I've been hoping for that all year.

[tlifeset]

I'm telling you ... Bynum's issues come from Phil Jackson's inability to develop young players. His growth will be stunted from Phil's pyschological games. But he will figure it out and he will dominate as long as he stays healthy. I know it's an "if", but his injuries have been more bad luck than bad body. The comparisons to Oden are way off base ... that guy walks worse than Bill Walton. Bynum has a spring in his step and runs the floor about as well as any 7+ footer I've ever seen not named Dirk.

Stick with him. He is a top 3 center in this league.

[Sofa King]

Get rid of him until he's healthy.

[Luxury]

tlifeset, we're not the Grizzlies or T-Wolves and give our upcoming players 35+ mins a game. I'll take PJ's method 100 times out of 100 rather than take a casual fan's input.

[Luxury]

Sorry for double post, but OP check out some of Bynum vids from this year on youtube. Of course they're highlights, but pay attention to Bynums activity level compared to now. There's a big difference.

[butter17]

I can't believe some people on are board can be so stupid, it's a shame. Before he got hurt he was averaging 26 & 13 a game. It's so quick how we forget how he was balling.

[microfib4thewin]

I can't believe some people on are board can be so stupid, it's a shame. Before he got hurt he was averaging 25 & 13 a game for 5 games. It's so quick how we forget how he was balling.

Fixed. I still have hope for Bynum, but he needs to play better. I haven't seen him play good defense for over a quarter in god knows how long. Since we can't run the offense through him either he's nothing but a liability until he changes his attitude on defense.