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Can the L.A. Lakers Win the West without Andrew Bynum? By Jason Kelly
03.8.2008 - Updated on 03.8.2008
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It’s a funny question to be asking, given that he’s only really had one-half of a good season. Word is that Andrew Bynum is behind on rehab and may not return until April or the playoffs. So much is on this guy’s shoulders, but he’s still got more potential than quantifiable results. I don’t count his earlier seasons against him, simply because he’s still not of legal drinking age, but isn’t it interesting that he’s the center of the Lakers’ post-season discussion? Given what the Lakers have done with Pau Gasol, is Bynum even a necessary component?
He is, especially if the Lakers run into the Sp*rs during the playoffs. Bynum cannot outplay Duncan nor can he limit Duncan offensively, but he definitely would help. He’ll keep Duncan more honest on defense and allow the Lakers to keep up in the rebounding category. He may even hold Duncan to a mere mortal’s offensive efficiency and not allow Duncan to run roughshod over the Lakers’ defensive paint.
In the post-season, the Spurs will hammer Gasol into ineffectiveness unless Gasol’s got some low-post help – and that help is not coming from Lamar Odom. Odom, like Gasol, needs help to be effective, and Gasol is not going to raise Odom’s game.
“But wait!” I hear you screaming. “Kobe elevates his teammates!” Sure. That’s why the Lakers have gone so far the last few seasons. Kobe has done wonders for Gasol during the regular – or, maybe not. Maybe Gasol has done wonders for Kobe.
In any event, neither is going to elevate the other enough to make sure the seven-foot Gasol is able to guard the post or grab 10 boards a game against San Antonio. No, they are going to need help there, and the help is going to have to come from Andrew Bynum. Neither player has been able to carry a team in the playoffs on his own. Perhaps the two of them together can get to the second round? Nah … they’ve got Derek Fisher, right? They’ll go far.
It’s a tough spot to be in because consensus seems to be that he’s a crucial part of the plan, but, again, he doesn’t have the track record one would like to see.
If the Lakers, though, can avoid the Sp*rs, there does not seem to be another team that can bother the Bynum-less Lakers. Kobe now seems to have enough help to be able to push his team through the playoffs against just about everybody but Tim Duncan.
[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaguelyartistic/437433580/] |
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Posted by
allnet38
on 03.9.2008 | to michael espinoza and everybody else who keeps repeating the same bullshit: kobe got his titles because of shaq. i think it isn’t true: the lakers had a system which was designed for oneal to dominate. hey, i don’t say that shaq hasn’t been a great center back then, but kobe is the way better player...ok he has a huge ego but who wouldn’t with that skill level. even mj was said be a bit too certain of himself, so what??? i mean, seriously, kobe is (besides lebron) by far the best active player in the league, better then wade or anthony or whosoever. he carried this team on his shoulders since shaq left and oh yeah speaking of shaq and miami: isn’t it a coincidence that again there was a shooting guard on shaq’s side when winning a title. no player ever wins a championship on his own. basketball is a f-----teamsport. and i don’t care about stats. kobe is one of the greatest of alltime. i mean oneal: how much is he shooting from the free throw line? 46% - i think that’s about kobe’s average from the field. i don’t have to add anything, do I?ps: the spurs’ time is over! . | Posted by
laker fan
on 03.9.2008 | bey dis writer mussy dont watch basketball. Gasol helps odom alot. The last few games odom has been getting at least 15 rebounds a game and about 20 points per game ever since gasol came . | Posted by
michael espinoza
on 03.9.2008 | everyone including the writer of this story actually thinks the fakers are going to be in the wcf, the last two years they haven’t even been able to get past a heartless suns team, their bench is too young and the only players with real playoff experience is kobe and fisher, but lets not forget that the only reason those two have rings is because of shaq, and shaq won a ring without kobe, kobe’s still trying to figure out if he’s a man or a little boy crying that he wants to be traded or that he wants bynum gone. you have to crawl before you can walk and then run, it’s ok to dream because it doesn’t cost anything, but to think the fakers are going to be in the wcf...i don’t think so...dreams are just that...dreams. . | Posted by
Jason
on 03.9.2008 | All the Lakers fans seem to be making similar arguments to the Suns’ fans over the last three years. Which is pretty much the point of the Kobe-Gasol discussion. Which is also the point of the article — not having a "big" big man. Thanks for helping to make my point. . | Posted by
steven[stunna]
on 03.9.2008 | bynum will surely be back by the time the lakerz make the playoffs. if san antonio faces them, its going to be the biggest series of the entire playoffs. yes dallas and phoenix were in transition but that is no excuse. gasol didnt need time 2 get acustomed 2 the lakerz, so players like shaq and kidd surely shouldnt either with their own respective teams. this is the lakers year... . | Posted by
on 03.9.2008 | Ok. First of all I share the outrage about Gasol not raising Odom’s game. Clearly he has, and to state the opposite is to disqualify every following comment. BUT, as much as I love the Lakers, they are going to struggle against San Anton, The Spurs can play playoff basketball in their sleep, and Duncan WILL dominate Gasol unless Bynum is there to even out the matchup. And with Gasol out of the game, and Bynum sidelined, the Lakers are back to being the ramshamble Lakers of the past few years, with far to much responsability on Odom who again won’t deliver. And let’s not forget how bad the Lakers looked in their recent loss to Portland. The Lakers do struggle against teams that lock down Gasol and out-hustle the rest. Kobe can carry the team on any given night, but over 7 games, without Bynum, I’ve got to go with the Spurs. . | Posted by
sharky towers
on 03.8.2008 | Oh boy... Gasol doesn’t help Odom’s game? Do you watch basketball at all?One of the biggest storylines of the Gasol trade is exactly HOW MUCH Gasol raises Odom’s game. Odom’s statistics took a huge jump. Nevermind that though. If you know anything about basketball you can just watch and see how Odom is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLAYER with Gasol on the court.Sorry man. I’m totally not buying you. . | Posted by
BookThat
on 03.8.2008 | First and foremost...what the hell? Who let you write this column. There was no BAM to your article. But here’s my two cent on this hot topic. Lakers have been great since the aquisation of Gasol. They’ve a great record since and sitting atop the West just shines the glory, BUT, let’s look at the matchups they’ve had since acquiring Gasol. The only tough match-ups were the Magics, Dallas and Phoenix and the rest were teams under or near the 500 mark. And mind you Phoenix and Dallas were both in the transition stage acquiring two new assets at that point so I didnt find it very convincing. The Lakers also lost to the Hawks during their transition mode. So what I’m curious is how come nobody pointed this out. Why are we giving the Lakers so much credit. Yes they’re great so far, but we haven’t seen them in real action yet and come playoff time, their going to be knocked out sooner than everyone anticipated. The West is packed with talent and hunger and the Lakers just aren’t their yet. One more point i have to make. The race in the East is more interesting, in my point. Nobody’s going to be surprised in the West since they all have the same records. But in the East we have the C’s and the Pistons, two best teams, surrounded by the dark horses. You’re going to see some upsets in the East, specially with the prescense of the Beast...no no no not Superman, but the King. He grew an inch longer you know. cant wait for the playoff !!!!!! . | Posted by
Re8orn24
on 03.8.2008 | i kind of feel bad for you, i mean i know your saying the Lakers are going to win either way, but Gasol is playing at a superstar level and Odom is playing and an all star level who is good for 10 plus boards against anyone. Gasol gets his 8-10 and thats all u need from ur front line. KOBE WILL TAKE OVER THAT SERIES. so dont worry, Bynum doesnt need to come back, but if he does...can you spell C-A-K-E-W-A-L-K . | Posted by
on 03.8.2008 | This is one of the worst written articles I’ve ever read. Did you go to uni or college? Maybe a night school cla-------could help. Try to make a point in an article not just nonsensical jibberish . | Posted by
allnet38
on 03.8.2008 | jason, i don’ t get...have u seen the lakers since gasol’s arrival...they are the top seat in the west. yeah, in front of the hornets, the suns, the mavericks and yes, also the spurs.gasol doesn’t make odom better...r u kidding me? odom plays way better since he teams with pau and if both are healthy in a series against the spurs, they will kick their asses even without andrew bynum. and btw, bynum can hold duncan down...better watch some more tapes before u write crap.ps: never has one player carried his team through the playoffs? have u seen any game of the cavs last season. there was a guy...em...yeah, a certain lebron james....idiot . |
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