Bynum the new Kobe?

[WayOutWest]

When PJ and Tex first came on board with the Lakers the first thing Tex noticed was the rift between the Lakers, except Fisher, and Kobe.  Everyone loved Shaq, they were all friendly but Kobe was not part of the "team".  There were team chemistry issues and it was mostly between Shaq and Kobe.  Shaq has proven time and again that he is the man, if you don't get along with Shaq you are gone.  Shaq said it himself in regards to NVE, Elden and EJ.

It seems that right now the team is very unified and they get along great, Kobe has bought into the team concept and it shows.  The only problem is with Bynum.  When Kobe sets someone up for a monster play they give each other props, like every other team in the league BUT when it comes to a Bynum/Kobe hook up, Bynum does not even make eye contact with Kobe on the ensuing "high five" or "fist pound".  I don't know if this is lingering animosity from Kobe's stupid comments about Bynum vs Kidd or if this is just Bynums demeanor.  I will have to watch Bynum a bit more to see if the acts that way with everyone else but if the does act that way is it because that's how Bynum is or is it because that's the way Bynum is towards "Camp Kobe"?

Thoughts?


.....wait.....


Intelligent thoughts?

[westkoast]

Are you talking about that lob from Kobe to Bynum that looked like a Kobe jumper but changed his mind last minute?  I noticed that last night too but I don't know if there is much to look into about hidden motives.  Of course your idea is legit and a possibility.  Though based on his blog entries I don't think he holds grudges about that comment (my assumption)  I have seen Bynum do what you are referencing to Derek Fisher two times as well.  Just kind of assumed that when he gets angry or upset at a lack of touches he goes into shell mode.  Kobe's attitude when he first came on board had to partially do with him being unable to go out with the guys to drink, gamble, or go to strip clubs.  No outside of the game bonding.  Dunno if Bynum had the same problem coming into the league so young.

There is one thing I've noticed about him is that when he doesn't get touches he completely takes himself out of the game.  Pau was on a roll last night so obviously he was getting all the touches.  I noticed Bynum kind of going through the motions when running up and down the floor.  It got so bad that he had that one play were he was all alone under the basket with inside position, shot goes off the rim, he just stares at it while Gooden and another Bull jump in to grab the rebound even though they were at the FT line when the shot went up.   On top of taking himself out of the game on the defensive end he tends to rush shots if he hasn't shot it in a while.  Yesterday night he had that jumper from the top of the FT circle that made me go "ACK" at least until it went in haha

Btw Kobe's numbers are down but as far as making sure the ball is distributed and even giving up some of his shots to do that hes doing a GREAT job.

[WayOutWest]

Btw Kobe's numbers are down but as far as making sure the ball is distributed and even giving up some of his shots to do that hes doing a GREAT job.

I don't know.....they made mention of it last night that last year there were 20 to 30 assist games and they haven't really displayed that kind of ball movement this year.  I remember how fluid they looked at times, they have not really done that this year except in short spurts.

[westkoast]

Btw Kobe's numbers are down but as far as making sure the ball is distributed and even giving up some of his shots to do that hes doing a GREAT job.

I don't know.....they made mention of it last night that last year there were 20 to 30 assist games and they haven't really displayed that kind of ball movement this year.  I remember how fluid they looked at times, they have not really done that this year except in short spurts.

I disagree based on watching the games.  The ball is moving but over the previous 3 games (last night they shot better) they were shooting a horrible % in those games.  The two games before they played the Pistons they were shooting in the low 40s if I remember correctly.  Can't really rack up assists if no one is making baskets.

Though I do expect them to be less fluid then last year.  They have to guys who can pound in the paint to score.  When they play teams who have poor post defenders look to the offense to slow down until that second unit comes in.