Have you guys seen recent pictures of Andrew Bynum?

An unbiased Lakers fan, eh? Okay, first test - who is better, Yao or Bynum?
Test number two, who is better, Kobe or LeBron?

 

Who is "better"? I'd like you to elaborate on your meaning of that, but I'll do my best.

Yao or Bynum? Assuming that he's healthy and I'm not choosing for the future, Yao. But I reserve judgment on that until the two actually play a game together in the physical condition that they both are currently at. (Really only for Bynum, because he's different now than he was the last time they met. At least it appears that way.)

Kobe or LeBron? Again, assuming I'm not going for the future, Kobe. This is personal opinion because they both are amazing, but I still believe that if you put the ball in Kobe's hands for 48 minutes a game, he can get more done than present LeBron. I mean, he got into the Western Conference Playoffs playoffs with Kwame Brown and Smush Parker as his starting Center and Point Guard. And he got 81, and took over in that Spurs series to take that Bynum-less team to the finals.

It looks to me like you're actively trying to be offended at what I said in my post...Dude, the guy got 23 when he can't legally drink yet. It's fun to watch and it's exciting to see even if you aren't a fan of the team as a whole. The same way it's fun to see Dwight Howard, LeBron, Durant, etc develop even if you like another team.

Now how about we get back to the thread's topic, alright? (Plus did I say anything in my post that wasn't true? )

 

The correct answers were 1)Yao; 2)...I'd go with LeBron but at least you didn't say "Kobe easily! lebronze sucks!!1!"

I'm just messing with you. Perspectives from other teams' fans are always welcome. Every board is biased and this one is as well but all in all, I'd say this board is still more mature than most out there (definitely more than any Lakers forum I've ever been to).

 

Heh heh?? Please tell me you're a girl......

 

Bynum looked OK against the Thunder, but he's still a little rusty. I don't expect his production to really kick in for a couple of months. One thing that I've picked up from watching 2-3 Lakers pre-season games:

1 Bynum will both score and rebound more than Pau and Pau's stats will drop. He won't average 20/10 for the season, but Bynum will have 20/10 games on a regular basis during long stretches of games.

2 His shot-blocking and rebounding presence on defense will be HUGE for the Lakers.

3 Pau's ability to adapt is what will make the Lakers the best team in the NBA. He doesn't have an ego problem with staying out of Bynum's way.

4 If LO plays off the bench with gusto, the Lakers are scary good. Farmar has brought his game up another level. A 2nd unit of Farmar, Vujacic, LO (with Pau moving to center) that races the ball downcourt is going to shred other teams' 2nd units.

5 For some reason, I'm still not impressed with Trevor Ariza. I need to see more of him. He seems like the odd man on the floor when he plays, even when doing something positive. Can't quite put my finger on it.

6 I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers started the season a little slow before they start hammering teams night after night. Same for the Rockets.

 

What kind of talent did Lebron around him when he got to the playoffs and FINALS? Taking the Celtics last year to the 7th game and Pistons to 7 games in 2006?

Its not enough to just take a team to the playoffs with bad players and get smoked in the 1st round. Just ask McGrady.

 

Looks guys, you need to wake up and smell the roses. Andrew Bynum is the real deal. He has the foot work, he has the soft hands so essential to big man. He is smart on the offensive end and defensively. He is a rebounder, shot blocker, low post threat. He is an 7 feet tall, athletic and runs the floor well. He is humble, and 20 years old (21 on Sunday). He has all the tools.

What else could you want from a 7 foot center?

If he is not better than Yao already, he will be in 1 year.

 

Let me add to my post above. Look guys the only thing right now that Yao has an advantage on are the followings:

Yao is much taller, a much better outside shooter, has a bigger set of tools/trick in the low post with he back to the basket, and that's it. One might argue that Yao is a better passer too.

But Bynum is much younger, more athletic, a better rebounder, better on help defense, moves his feet better, a better shotblocker, quicker, and just as humble. Yao is more likable because of his well known personality right now though.

Most importantly, the main weaknesses of Yao Ming, turnover prone, slow, softness, lack of athleticism, is less with Bynum.

 

Andrew Bynum Cusses @ Sasha Vujacic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOzQnwhqFE&feature=related

Andrew Bynum Cusses on Live TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY7xAF4XKS4

Andrew Bynum Myspace page
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=371036068

Bynum's a very decent guy, nowhere near the ego of Shaq and I'm sure fun to be around. Not gonna trash his character, but if I had to take a bet who'd be the first to get arrested out of him and Yao I'm going big money on Bynum. But Bynum just needs a little more time and success for the LA market to over-promote his personality and make him a household name

Every single player in the league is quicker than Yao, no surprise there.

 

Read the bold.

 

you know, i was very critical of Bynum last season when everyone was gushing over him because he played with very little skill. He was raw and scored almost entirely from alley hoops and put-backs. This year...

...he is a totally different player. I saw him battle for good positioning. He had drop steps, spins, hook shots. It's amazing how much he has progressed. He still scores mostly from athleticism but he showed the ability to score with skill.

SCARY.

 

Just how much did you watch Bynum last year? Was it all at the very beginning of the season? As I've said here many times, the last 20-30 games he showed a lot. Much more than he has so far in the pre-season. Those two months are what had people drooling. So far this pre-season, he looks more physically imposing and all he has to do is add that to the skills he's already demonstrated. Last night against the Thunder, most all Bynum did was putbacks and alley oops. You ain't seen nothing yet.

 

he just so Q in my eyes.

 

man he is ...HUGE.

what did he take? Steroids? GET HIM TESTED. j/k lol

 

Preseason guys, Bynum can't touch Yao. Dikembe was even giving him fits last year..........

 

Right. Add the Rockets own Steve Francis to the 2 Live Cussing Crew.

Bynum's a good guy, didnt say he was bad. Just how when people start boosting up a player they tend make ALL their traits top notch. Maybe cuz we been through this already with Dwight Howard and his goody church boy image that I don't see Yao's personality keeping people from moving him out the top spot.

Really between Bryant, Sasha, Gasoft, Phil Jackson, Farmar to an extent, Bynum's one of the VERY few likeables on that team.

 

Kobe is likable... to me at least.

Why do you hate Gasol? and what has Farmar done?

 

Farmar cuz he's always having his little verbal disagreements with Phil Jackson. Possibly the best coach in NBA history, on a team with possibly the best player in the league, and he thinks he's knows better? Gasol cuz he's a scruffly and always whining to refs...

I actually don't 'hate" any of them, I save that for Jazz and Mavs. Just more Bynum so far gives me the least reasons to get mad at him