Bynum, Growing right before our eyes.
After tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors, although resulting in a lose, Lakers fans can at least breathe easy if they're worrying that Bynum would not live up to all that owner Jerry Buss has invested in him. Numbers like 17-16-1 should be definite indication of greater things to come.
The recently turned 20 year old center played with the type of aggressiveness that the Lakers coaching staff have been waiting to see from him. Bynum was drafted in 2005 by the Lakers on the 10th pick of the 1st round. Snagging Bynum just as he graduated high school, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to draft Bynum just before the new age minimum. With out wits as quick as these, the Lakers would have had to waited for Bynum to attend school until eligible for signing a NBA contract.
As Derek Fisher returned to Oakland to play against his former teammates, the Lakers faced an admirable opponent in the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers were impressively able to maintain a lead over the Warriors during the majority of the game. It was in the fourth quarter when the Lakers began to unravel and unfortunately result in a lose.
Despite the heartbreaking lose to the Warriors, Andrew Bynum displayed a quick glimpse into his bright future in the purple and gold. His turnaround jumpers were swift and had a clean stroke. Boxing out and hustled for loose balls. The icing on the cake was seeing Bynum dunk over Al Harrington, and even managing to convert the 3-point play. It was impossible for anyone to describe Bynum as soft after this game.
Understandably, there were going to be some errors or turnovers. But comparatively to his display of power house dunks, a bad pass was easier to accept. It was only after a few dunks late in the 3rd when I finally had to remind myself that he is still a kid playing against men. After scoring, Bynum looked as if he was dying to smile and celebrate. But instead, he held his composure, and almost shrugged it off as if it were an everyday thing. Aware of people's expectations of him, Bynum reestablishes focus and gets his mind back into the game. In this instance I sensed both his young and mature features, and felt a promising future between Andrew Bynum and the Los Angeles Lakers.
