Is Bynum worth a 20-point differential?

[Lakers05]

It sure seems like it. With Bynum, I feel like we're capable of beating any teams, and blow out all the bottom-feeders by 20+(even when Shaq was here, I never had this kind of confidence.) Without him, I don't have any hope of us beating the top tier teams, and now, very uncertain against the "bottom-feeders."

Let's see, we were winning games by an average of 19 points(albeit mostly against bottom feeders) in the 5 games, where Bynum was showing legit post moves, before that. We were up by 11 with a half to play against the Grizz before Bynum went down, ended up winning by just 1. We barely beat Seattle, another bottom feeder. Hmm, seems to be a pattern here. Hard to say how we would have done today, but I'd say we would have won by at least 5 points, so to me, Bynum is worth at least a 8-10 point differential.

Now I know that is a lot for any one player. But right now, this team looks like a .500 team(which means a differential of 0), and the way Bynum was playing, I think you can make that case.

One might say they need more practice, but honestly, other than a shakeup from the starting lineup, I don't see much they can do. Fish and Luke are just useless without Bynum. Without the threat of the lob, the opposing team's bigs are basically playing free safety out there. It appears that Bynum's impact = his stats + making Luke and Fish look like actual NBA players. Kinda reminds you of another big man actually.

[dingclancy]

Lol... Give them three game they are just shook up with a main cog out. They will adjust and get better.

[slifersd]

He scores around 20 points alone per game. Besides that, his size forces opposing big man to take a lot of jumpshots instead of dunking in our defenders' (Kwame, Odom, among others) faces. So, yeah, he is worth about that kind of difference.

[Lakers05]

Nah, that was just for emphasis. Literally, a 20-point difference means we would have a +10 differential with him and a -10 without, and no one in the history of this game has that kind of impact. You can make a case for 8-10 though.

[Tommy Trojan]

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[Lakers05]

Lol... Give them three game they are just shook up with a main cog out. They will adjust and get better.

There's nothing to adjust. All you can hope for is for Kwame to get in better shape, but that means Bynum has been masking him all along.

You can also try shaking up the starting lineup, but that would also mean that Bynum has been masking the guys you're replacing too(which means that in theory, the team should be even better if you were to start these guys along Bynum in the first place, assuming that Bynum's impact is constant.)

[Tommy Trojan]

All I can say is if we had Bynum for this game, we would had another W

[trippy]

I don't know if 20 is the right number, but you do have the right idea. Bynum makes a big impact offensively and defensively. What I can say from the defensive standpoint is that he can be relied upon to guard the paint more efficiently by altering shots and causing low % shots and even blocking shots. Kwame plays a weak style by always standing around and/or trying to take charges. He hardly goes up for a block and he hardly alters any shots. Similarly, it can be said for the offensive end. By having him as our 2nd option, it makes our offense run a little more smoother and he can finish around the basket. Bynum's biggest assets are his height, length, and footwork. It showed tonight on both sides of the court.

[trippy]

People shouldn't worry or panick. Just hope they go .500 during the games that Bynum misses. Every team goes through injuries, it's nothing new. It's going to be a long 2 months, just hang in there and hope they can be ready come playoff time.

[hermes]

uuh
i hope bynum is a fast healer

[Mindflayer]

It would be easier to replace Kobe than Bynum. The difference between Kwame and Bynum is greater than the difference between Kobe and Sasha. I wouldn't offer Kwame the veteran's minimum at this point.