Andrew Bynum Finally Gaining Trust of L.A. Lakers & Kobe Bryant?

The Orange County Register reports on Andrew Bynum responding to Kobe Bryant’s infamous cell phone video: 

When Bynum heard about Bryant’s video comments about trading him, Bynum said he understood Bryant’s frustration. "All it did really to me was make me work harder."

My Quick Take: Andrew Bynum has put in work. The rest of this article mentions how the center is slowly gaining Kobe Bryant’s trust by dedicating himself to conditioning and fitness. Two things interest me about this story:

First, Bynum is far from a lost cause. Centers, unless they’re blue-chippers like Shaquille O’Neal or David Robinson, take longer to develop than other positions. Bynum also came straight from high school, which further complicates his development. But an improved work ethic will help him eventually evolve into a top five center.

Even if Bynum realizes his full potential, some Laker fans will always contend that the team should have traded him straight-up for Jason Kidd. There’s merit to their argument, but this is unfair to Bynum, who had and still has zero control over the purple-and-gold’s dysfunctional front office.

Second, history repeats itself. The O.C story also examines how Bryant and the Laker coaches tease. Bynum. Ten years ago, before he was an all-world superstar, Bryant was often on the wrong end of Shaq’s jokes. This drove a wedge between the teenage star and the rest of the Laker vets; Bryant was essentially an outsider, hanging with family on the road instead of teammates.

Young NBA players usually get teased by older peers, but the cell phone incident shows there is something between Bynum and Bryant. Their relationship will be worth watching. 

How will Andrew Bynum do in 2007-08? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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