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A rare sight in the playoffs; Bynum doing work

I find it really difficult to evaluate Bynum right now. 

Earlier this year, I’d say he was untouchable. He certainly has the capability to put up big numbers.

But he has also been frequently injured. He has yet to be healthy and effective in a playoff series. Which is a problem in itself: is he injury-prone? Gary Vitti, after examining Bynum’s body, concluded that he’s susceptible to leg injuries (Greg Oden seems to be a similar case). 

On the other hand, guys like Dwight Howard are built solidly, like the bulletproof Karl Malone.

Injuries interrupt a player’s development. It seems that Bynum always has to go back a little, rediscover the fundamentals of the game, before regaining some momentum in his game. But injuries have been a stumbling block for him, no question.

But what troubles me too is that Bynum said his struggles are mental, not physical. If that’s the case, then the problem lies deeper: a lack of confidence, focus, and even motivation. That’s troubling, because he’s been with this team too long to go through this again – these were all problems earlier in his career.

Then last week, he qualified (or contradicted) that by saying his knee WAS bothering him. Which is confusing: are his problems mental or physical? Both? What really is going on? And there seems to be a problem between him and Phil Jackson, after he obliquely demanded more minutes, equally obliquely criticized Phil Jackson’s defensive schemes, then equally obliquely took it all back. 

There are just so many things going on with Bynum right now.

On one hand, I’d say no center has more potential in the league than Bynum. Even more than Dwight Howard (Bynum has better size, a naturally softer touch). 

But then again, I’m wondering whether our team could be better served with a dependable, high quality big man veteran than Bynum, who hasn’t been reliable at all.

Take for example last year. If we had Luis Scola in the Boston series, we might have a championship already – and be in better position to win this year. And possibly the next 3-4 years. 

Let’s say Bynum gets past his injuries, mental issues, and becomes reliable in the next couple years. Does a Bynum-centered team have more championship-winning potential than a Kobe-centered team? Extremely doubtful, because Kobe is almost unequivocally considered a top 10 player of all time, certainly top 25…but Bynum? Right now, he’s closer to Kwame Brown than Tim Duncan.

At this point, we don’t NEED to move Bynum, because I think the fact is that even without him, we can contend for a championship with Kobe, Pau, Odom, and Ariza. 

But there is the possibility that our team would be (and would have been) better if we had a more reliable player. 

One thing that I’ve been impressed with is that some players are built for the playoffs. Rugged, sacrificing, balls-to-the-wall, even a little dirty, just willing to do whatever is necessary to win. 

And these guys aren’t necessarily the all-stars – but can make a bigger impact in the playoffs.

Bynum will have to prove that he can stay injury-free and be reliable month-to-month. But I think the Lakers have invested way too much into Bynum to give up on him any time soon (money, Kareem, etc.). The Lakers tend to hold onto players way past their due date, so if Bynum turns out to be a bust, just know that the Lakers will give him every chance until he’s nearly an untradeable contract.