http://slamonline.com/online/news-rumors/the-wire/2009/04/bynum-wants-yao-in-round-2/ Bynum Wants Yao in Round 2 by Marcel Mutoni Typically, NBA players refuse to tell reporters which opponent they’d like to go up against in the postseason. To which the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum says, to hell with all that! Bynum, currently enjoying a few days off with his teammates prior to the start of Round Two, has a rooting interest in the Rockets/Blazers series. He wants Houston to win, so that he can go mano-e-mano with Yao Ming. The Press-Enterprise jotted down Bynum’s wishes for the next round: Andrew Bynum had just mentioned for the third time how excited he is to face Houston’s Yao Ming in the second round when someone pointed out the Rockets still must win one more game to ensure that clash. “Yes, but that’s who I’m thinking we’re going to play,” Bynum said, matter-of-factly. “They have two games to win one.” “It makes me very hungry,” Bynum said. “I can’t wait to go out there against a challenging player like Yao Ming. I know I’m going to play better just because it’s a big guy I’m going to go up against.” You know, that’s a lot of confidence for a dude who averaged a measly five points and three boards in the previous series (in which, by the way, he didn’t face anyone even remotely as imposing or good as Yao, and could barely get off the bench some games.) Be careful what you wish for, Andrew, you might just get it.
hasn't Yao owned Bynum in most, if not all, of their previous meetings? I don't remember Bynum giving Yao problems
Hopefully Bynum plays right into their hands and makes this a 1 on 1 contest between himself and Yao. Yao would completely demolish him. Less shots for Kobe = good for Rox.
I think Phil Jackson addressed this earlier. This was when the Rockets were up 3-1 against Portland, and Bynum had said he wanted to play Yao. I hope Bynum is ready, Pryzbilla got pwnt for what he said about Yao in the first game. Bynum won't know what hit him.
Even if Phil addressed to the Lakers to front him, I don't think they are capable of doing it anyways. Bynum is not as strong as Przybilla or as strong as Oden, I think he was actually considered very weak when he first came into the league. Gasol obviously has no chance fronting or guarding Yao at all, we all know how strong he is and how good of a defender he is. Bynum didn't call out Yao. He just said I want him for the 2nd round. I think he's pretty much saying I want to start again and get a chance to prove myself against an elite center in the league.
Didn't people say the blazers wouldn't be able to front because their centers are too big and slow? I think it's clear by now that physical attributes aren't that important when trying to front him. You just get in front of him, and the rockets guards do the rest. And if you are too weak, just flop and the refs will do their part.
Most high schoolers are.......but he's come a long way since, i wouldn say he's weaker than Oden or Prz. Maybe just as strong, but not significantly weaker. He's more athletic than Prz that's for sure.
Gasol and Bynum are not floppers. Przybilla is certainly a flopper and Oden is a complete foul machine. But the thing is Przybilla and Oden had superior upper body strength over Yao, not by much. Eventually Yao would beat the front when he would stop arm wrestling and made him be active offensively.
I dont watch enough of the Blazers to know for sure, but I don't think Przybilla flops when playing against the rest of the league. It's an act of desperation that pretty much any player is capable of when facing someone much bigger than them. If you think Gasol isn't capable or willing to flop against Yao in the right situations, you are in for a surprise. Bynum probably hasn't learned how yet.
Gasol is. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HjsFu882zks&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HjsFu882zks&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Look at what he did to Howard.
Watta ******* chickenpoop couple of plays on Gasol's part. He'll be floppin' like a fish all series long. My only hope is the refs stay silent.
BS. We know Yao would be doubled. Hope its like Pryzibilla who said he wants Yao and guard him 1 on 1 like in game 1
