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In less than a weeks time, the Lakers expect to have Andrew Bynum back in uniform and playing in actual NBA games. This is a big deal for a variety of reasons. For one, it allows Pau Gasol the rest that he needs. Playing over 40 minutes a night isn’t ideal for any player, much less the wiry Spaniard who has to be the do it all big man for the Lakers for every minute that he’s on the court. As commenter VoR pointed out:
Pau can’t give away fouls because he has to stay on the court (got to be careful on aggressive D and rebounding), he has to D up the opposition’s big man, cover for Laker guards getting beat, box out and rebound, bang down low on offense (who else is there?), be a play maker and focal point for the offense and not sit down for more than a minute or two.
Bynum being back allows the Lakers’ front court rotation to normalize. Players get slotted in their more natural positions and take on a minute allotment that makes more sense over the course of a long season.
But where Bynum really helps is in the Lakers defense. Allow me to quote some Kelly Dwyer knowledge on the subject:
(Bynum) also turns the Lakers into a terrifying defensive team, though. Los Angeles is 13th in defensive efficiency right now, and while current center Pau Gasol(notes) is light years ahead of where he was in terms of strength and foot movement four years ago, he’s still Pau Gasol. Lamar Odom(notes) may clear the defensive glass with gusto, but he’s still Lamar Odom. Andrew Bynum, a legitimate helping center, changes all that.
And more from KD:
The only chinks in Los Angeles’ armor this year come in the form of those close six losses in 21 tries (each of those games could have been won in the fourth quarter) and the team’s mediocre defense. This isn’t to say that something’s gone wrong so far — it hasn’t. It’s to tell you that there is nothing wrong with the Los Angeles Lakers that can’t be fixed by the Los Angeles Lakers. And it starts with the bigs cutting hard to the pinch post to receive a pass, and Kobe Bryant giving up the ball and letting the offense work for him. Because the defense, with Bynum back, will take care of itself. (empashis mine)
I know it’s difficult to rely too much on one player, especially one that misses games and has had focus issues during his time with the Lakers. But make no mistake, Andrew Bynum is going to help the Lakers. And he’s going to do it on defense.
When Lakers’ opponents run pick and rolls with Pau and ‘Drew in the game, that back line defender won’t be Lamar Odom or an undersized Ron Artest contesting the shot. It will be a seven footer. When the opposing offense tries to run cross screens and pin downs for guards and wings against a defensive group that includes Bynum, his big body will disrupt screen angles and his long arms can reach out and deter easy passes. When Lakers guards get beat off the dribble, they’ll have to contend with Bynum stepping up and altering shots. Trust me, the number of uncontested lay ins that the Lakers allow will go down significantly when Bynum returns. And some of those point blank shots will become floaters from 10 feet out, rather than finishes right at the cup.
Bynum’s not the perfect defender. He can be slow of foot when hedging on the P&R. He will, at times, avoid fouling for the sake of preserving his time on the court. But the one thing that can’t be denied is that he’s a massive man that can control the paint. His sheer size makes posting up more difficult and his tremendous wingspan changes shots’ trajectories. When coupled with the Lakers improved (in recent games) ball pressure on wing ball handlers, we’re likely to see an uptick in forced turnovers and in out of control shots by penetrating wings who are being pressured on the front end and contested on the back end.
So, get your efficient offensive nights on the Lakers now. Get ’em while the Lakers big man depth is depleted and when Pau and Lamar won’t commit fouls due to their need to stay on the court. Get them while the back line defense doesn’t have a capable shot blocker (or one worried about fouling) coming to help. Because in about a weeks time, reinforcements are coming. And while it won’t be picture perfect right away, things are going to improve. Remember, the Lakers were a top 5 defensive team for most of last season and that was without Matt Barnes’ tenacity in the mix. And while Artest and Kobe haven’t yet played up to that standard, the Lakers also haven’t had their eraser on the back line for a single minute this season.
Chris J says
Amen.
flip says
maybe we should watch bynum play first. Not disagreeing about his impact on the floor, but I’d like to see the guy play. This is his 3rd surgery. Anyone who’s had knee surgery knows you’re not the same after one, and he’s on # 3. I’ve said it before, but once bynum came out of surgery, the lakers knew it was bad. Why they handled it this way, I have no idea.
T. Rogers says
All of this explains why even with great talents like Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, or even Dwayne Wade NBA basketball is still a big man’s game. And as long as the Lakers can start two skilled seven footers I like their chances in any playoff series.
Let’s all hope in unison that Andrew can last for the rest of the season.
harold says
Even in his ‘fresh-from-surgery’ form, he’ll be miles ahead of Caracter, and I daresay Theo as well.
Which basically means upgrade.
How much better, I don’t know, but I’m fairly sure he’ll be able to soak up 20 minutes easily without worrying us too much.
And that’s enough to get us a more rested Gasol and Odom…
Shootin Bricks says
Speaking of Ratliff, has anyone heard any updates since his latest set back? I’m looking forward to when we have our full cadre of bigmen available again.
Igor Avidon says
This post sums up my feelings about our start (not that it’s that bad – most teams would kill to have our record). Our healthy team is still the team to beat. Let these lesser teams enjoy their small triumphs. Losing one battle means little when your aim is to win the war.
P. Ami says
When it comes to a seven game series, a healthy Bynum will be huge. We need that size and the threat from that position. LO and Gasol need more rest then they get, and unless the perimeter D is given that mobile 7-foot margin for error, a series against 2 of either the Spurs (you know Splitter will wind up being a factor by the end of the season), DAL or Utah will be much more difficult then they have to be. Heck, you can put OKC in that same category. The Lakers need that size (and fouls) in order to handle Manu/Parker, D-Will, Westbrook and any other penetrating guard that can shoot a little from the outside (Williams can do more then shoot a little). Then against whomever comes from the east, especially the Lepers or the Heat, size and fouls will matter.
Fish’s buzzer beater gets answered by KG… got to love the rivalry.
kaveh says
This post is spot on in its overall theme but perhaps off in its application. This lakers team was always going to struggle through the regular season. they are back to back champs. back to back champs struggle through the regular season, its just what they do. especially on defense. once the playoffs come around, they will turn it on, especially on defense. that’s when bynum will be key.
rhetorical x and o's says
1st paragraph’s sentence beginnings: I…But…And
2nd: When…It…When…When…Trust…And
3rd: Bynum…He…He…But…His…When
4th: So…Get…Get…Because…Remember…And
Kurt’s basically got the same style. A lottt of repetition and a heavy reliance on “and” and “but” to begin sentences. As far as basketball talk goes, I think this is a pretty smart piece but as prose…well, it’s not as readable as it can be. I’m not asking you to be Howard Beck (one of the best b-ball writers out there) but please don’t be Kurt.
Bigern says
One of the main reasons I can’t wait until Bynum gets back is to stop hearing all of the whining about Gasol being tired. Last year when Gasol started the season injured nobody whined about Bynum being tired, he put up big numbers. Gasol didn’t play ball in the summer in order to preserve his mind and body. What happened? Admit it; Gasol is playing like he’s lost concentration, and focus, which has nothing to do with conditioning.
exhelodrvr says
Bigern,
This season, Gasol averaged almost 5 mpg more than Bynum did over that same period last season. There is a big difference between 40 mpg and 35 mpg.
chris h says
rhetorical x and o’s, personally, I have never been bothered by either Kurt or Darius, or any other contributing writer on this blog.
I do kind of have a laugh at some of the posters, their/there, then/than, etc, but that’s not really the point of why we come here now is it?
I also wonder about the progress of Theo, I hope he recovers well (or should I say, recovers good?;)
it could not hurt to have yet another big back up.
Darius Soriano says
#9. I’ve been called much worse and I’ve actually always liked Kurt’s style, so in a way, thanks for the compliment. Everyone has their preferences. If I’m not yours, I’ll still still sleep at night.
Jeremy says
Everyone seems to read this article as uplifting and hope inducing while I believe it’s terrifying. I really like Bynum and I have a ton of respect for him because of the way he gutted out last year’s playoffs. That being said Bynum at this point is not reliable (health wise) and this team must figure out a way to defend better without him. Basically I would prefer for the team and organization to prepare, play & operate as if Bynum will not be playing in the playoffs
Phillip Barnett says
Morning Links are up:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/12/10/around-the-world-wide-web-32/
tsuwm says
if things are really that dire re the PauG and Odom use rate, they better get Bynum out there tonight!
/over-reaction
wilzuvsteel says
rhetorical x and o’s (edited) who comes onto this blog to rave about a New York Times reporter and disrespect a fellow Lakers fan and writer for this great blog. Darius keep doing what you’re doing.
Darius Soriano says
#17. Thanks for the support. I had to edit your comment due to the commenting guidelines. I do appreciate the kind words, though. Thanks for reading.
#14. While I see your point, I also believe that thinking of Bynum as gravy on our already tasty mashed potatoes isn’t a recommended approach. The Lakers, more than in past years, will need Bynum on the court and contributing in some way. People can point to his reduced roles and marginal statistical contribution in 2009 and 2010 as evidence of the Lakers’ ability to win without him, but a big key to me was that he was actually *present* and able to play at all in those series, unlike the 2008 loss to Boston. Even if he’s only 65%, and able to gut it out, that helps things greatly as he’s better than Theo (or Powell, Ratliff, Caracter) at that diminished level.
In the end, the Lakers will need him available. That’s a fact. So, they should plan to have him. And when he’s available, he will help. Especially on defense. That’s all I was trying to say in the post.