Lakers New Franchise guy is Andrew Bynum

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

I was impressed with the kid the minute I saw him on ESPN against the Chicago Bulls a year ago, swatting 6 shots and being able to score easily inside. He's only improved his game since. It really should have been the other way around: Kobe Bryant, should have been traded and not for Jason Kidd, but for youth. I will say this: The Lakers will likely reach the Western Conference Finals/Maybe NBA finals depending on their opponent. But if they TRULY want to be able to succesfully climb back to dominance, they need to start a TRUE rebuliding era. (Or use that expiring of theirs, and their youth to acquire a 3rd piece if they don't wish to rebulid).

I can imagine that, as long as Andrew Bynum improves his game over time some more that there's no reason NOT to be buliding around him. I mean he's what a 21, 22 year old kid? The sky's the limit for Bynum and the Los Angeles Lakers. Surely, they're a great team right now. But that's because of their core vastly over-achieving and/or how Bynum and Bryant are creating open shots. for their core from the perimeter.

But it's not likely to continue. Radmonivich will be older, Walton and Jackson are busts in the league. If you're going to bulid around Kobe/Bynum, then it's best you use that Kwame expiring and fast.

But if you want to make the 7'0 foot 21, 22 year old kid the future...Then it's very possible you could have an easier, longer window of chance then this quick fix. Just IMO

[LLcoleJ]

no, we dont. Bynum is coming into his own and Kobe is in his prime. There is no reason to trade Kobe. You build off this not strip it down.

Kobe is the franchise now and Bynum will be with him and the guy after Kobe retires.

[kno]

Jackson is a bust?

All 9 championships were flukes?

[LLcoleJ]

Yeah, its flawed logic from the begining, middle and end.

[slifersd]

If we do trade Kobe, who are we going to get to replace him? He is the best player in the NBA, and using anyone replace him would make this team worse.

As for Bynum's improvements. I am definitely impressed with him. But let's not forget that there are still risks relating to his development, he has yet to experience the two killers for young player developments, namingly a major injury and a huge contract. Injuries happens to a lot of people, and what will Bynum's development be like when he suffers a major injury? Will he continue to work his butt off and improve his game once he gets his huge contract? Don't get me wrong, I think Bynum will be fine, but those are factors you have to consider before talking about dumping Kobe for Bynum.

[Laker1]

I highly doubt a second rounder can be a bust especially when he can rack up 12 5 and 4 on any given night.

[dockingsched]

kobe/bynum can dominate the league for years as early as next season when bynum is truly a 2nd scoring option.

[LLcoleJ]

^^^ yes D, thats the logic in it all. Usually when you have one of the best in the game in his prime and emerging center you roll with it.

You dont trade Kobe to put lesser players around Drew.

[Squirrel Boy]

Kobe is the franchise now and Bynum will be once Kobe leaves. As for now, they're the go to guys.

[Slava]

Over excited?

Bynum will be a huge help for Kobe in pursuit of his 4th ring.

[milesfides]

I love Andrew Bynum, but only an outsider would say something like this. Somebody who hasn't seen what Kobe can do night in and night out. Thanks for the compliment, but no, trading Kobe won't make us a better team.

[Dexmor]

Kobe is 29 not 35. Plus if he eats healthy he could probably play averaging 20 points until he is 41 or so. He will defenately be the best player for the next 5 years and from 34-40 top 10 and at worst top 20 player at 38 (I think he will still be #1) so why trade him. Keep them both.
I would trade Odom though. I would. I would trade Odom and get us a real pf. If Ronny can't play big minutes because of his heart then I would get another pf but I think he can be the Haslem we need. I would trade Kwame and Odom for Gasol or trade Odom and Farmar for RJ or trade Kwame,Farmar,Sasha,Luke for Kenny Thomas and Artest. Moves need to be made were we have a great slashing 2 way close to allstar swingman (not Odom) and we need a real pf and I think we can get those 2 things with Odom and Kwame.

I do think we will be o.k. without them if Ariza starts and Odom plays the 4 but not until Bynum is 22. If we do it now and have a traditional pf and RJ type sf we can win now like the Pistons,Celtics,Spurs.

And I think we have to make a move by the deadline with Kwame's contract coming off the books and us having 3 pg's who all would be starting for most other teams.

[tayzer]

Trading Kobe is a stupid move, who would want to wait for a player to be in his prime then trade them.

Bynum is going to be good, but right now he is effective with put backs because of his size and thanks to Kobe assists. No way he is a able to carry a team, he wouldn't be effective without Kobe. Kobe draws the double and dishes to Bynum, without Kobe, Bynum wouldn't be as effective.

[dockingsched]

somehow it always goes back to getting rj at the 3.

[Tommy Trojan]

Drew had more rebounds then the starting 5 of the Philly combined

[KobeEra]

not only an outsider point of view but an ignorant nba fan's point of view..
why u might ask?
kobe's the focal point of the opponent's defense..everything evolves around him..
imagine bynum w/o kobe...can he overcome double teams??the answer is obvious( for the time being)..
the biggest reason of bynum's emrgence is kobe..
not only because of his presence on the floor , but also the one who pushed him and motivated him to work and practise as hard as he is

[Dexmor]

They need each other plus if Bynum keeps improving like this and becomes an allstar after the break meaning he starts putting up 18-20 point average with 10 boards and 3 blocks the second half of the season then him and Kobe can be the new Kobe and Shaq except this time Kobe is the older one. I think it took Kobe til he was about 20 or 21 to become a superstar and Bynum should be the same the way he is going. The age difference is 9 years instead of 6 but this Laker team is alot deeper then the other ones.

We can make some moves and really get some good players for our junk.

I think if we were to either A package Odom,Kwame,Farmar,Radman,Mihm,Luke for a superstar and a few players back we will be there or we could
b.just trade our worst players plus Luke and Farmar so people will want it and trade Kwame-Sasha-Mihm-Kwame-Luke-Farmar a allmost star and fillers.

Either way I would like to see them trade Odom for RJ (we all know that but the team would be perfect)

Next years lineup would be

Bynum
Ronny
RJ
Kobe
Critt

The most important thing we need to do though is trade Kwame's contract because it has value and we can afford to keep Odom at the 4 because even though his D is not there he is a great offensive weapon who grabs 10 boards a game and makes the Lakers able to run with anybody.

[SpaceJam]

RJ has played Robin far too long...

[Mindflayer]

Upgrading at Forward or PG is our best options. Bynum is our second best player now. Odom is our third option like most of us felt he should be. Do we really need or want to trade him now?

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

I understand that Kobe Bryant makes Andrew Bynum better, but you seem to be forgetting that Bynum has the same effect for Kobe Bryant. Or, don't you remember that college-like jank team you guys bulit with that college coach that allowed you to get Bynum in the first place?

Buliding Around Kobe Bryant, starts with getting a big man who can take the pressure off of Kobe, and that's what Bynum is starting to become in the league.