So since the national media hasn't picked up the story (and may not) I thought I would give you super exclusive REAL LAKERS inside information......that came from KLAC in Los Angeles before the game. REALAKERS news, not just some stuff anyone could find if they moved the dial last night....
Matt Money Smith and the guys that do the pre-game sat down with Rick Fox last night to discuss a few things, one being Andrew Bynum's attitude. Some of you may or may not know but the Lakers coaching staff has been "frustrated" with Andrew's lack of intensity on the defensive end and running the floor. Part of the Lakers slip in defense has been in part, they feel, to their young center not making it a point to patrol the paint and run the floor to get back. They've gone as far to start to cut back his minutes to send a message. In response the young center has been verbally complaining to anyone who will listen. Rick and Money also spoke about how Andrew Bynum was gone around to the local broadcast team and other members of the media to TELL them to call him "A-Train" a nickname which they say was not given to him by teammates. It was given to himself to do what Rick Fox called "self promotion" and that you "cant just give yourself a nick name" (side note: Didn't this guy play with Shaq? Heh)
Another interesting issue brought up by Rick Fox was that Andrew Bynum has been trying to dictate how certain plays should be ran and how to handle certain situations on the floor. Rick did say that no one specific was mad but he said when he played when young guys did that it was frustrating to the older guys as it came off like the younger guy knows more than the seasoned vets.
Problems brewing in LA LA Land? Or is Bynum going to get a real verbal lashing from one of the older statesman of the Lakers squad?
