What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

[TMagic]

When talking to Skip and SAS, Skip said that he thought that a healthy Andrew Bynum was better than Dwight. SAS proceeded to laugh in his face.

I didn't have that same reaction. I actually don't think Skip is that far off. When I think about Bynums size, skill set, and attitude, I think he could very well be better than Dwight. Of coarse all this is with a healthy Bynum.

For those of you that would still pick Howard, why? What things would you say that Howard better at?

I think back to the 08 season. The Lakers were good that year, even before they even received Gasol. It was the outstanding play and quick development of Bynum that was one of the major factors that led to the Lakers' improved play from the previous year (in addition to Kobe's changed approach to games). Bynum's increased production was the main reason Kobe was kept happy, when he was demanding trades. And that was just his third year. He was just 20 at the time.

If Bynum doesn't get injured in 08, then the Pau deal may have never happened at all. They were playing that well with Bynum as the main big man on the team.

I think if Bynum was able to stay healthy, he and Howard would be 1a and 1b as far as centers are concerned and Bynum would be mentioned as one of the leagues best players, much like Howard is now. He's that good in my eyes.

So I'm just wondering about everyone's thoughts on Andrew Bynum. And if, hypothetically speaking, Andrew Bynum stays healthy, is he better than Howard?

[Rockie_Fresh88]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

I think Howard world still be better because of strength, athleticism, and defensive presence. However a healthy bynum would be wayy better offensively in the post than Dwight. Great potential rivalry imo.

No doubt allstar talent. Why are we saying could have? He just turned 24...

[TMagic]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

And here are both players at 20 years old:


Andrew (7'0, 285)...13.1 ppg on 8.5 att...64% FG...70% FT...10.2 reb...2.1 blk...1.7 asts...1.5 TO

Dwight (6'11, 265)...15.8 ppg on 10.7 att..53% FG...60% FT...12.5 reb...1.4 blk...1.5 asts...2.6 TO

Andrew-28.8 MPG, 2.8 PF
Dwight- 36.9 MPG, 3.4 PF

[The 24th Letter]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

Lets look past his goon actions. I think Bynum could easily be the best big man in the game when healthy...

He doesn't have Howard's defense but his touch, footwork, rebounding are phenomenal. I think we will see even more of this now that he's not on a short leash in LA

[LingeringRegime]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

I think that a weak kneed Bynum who is mean is worse than a happy Howard wearing a Laker Unifom who will get whistles he never got in ORL.

I doubt that Bynum will ever be healthy.

[PrettyT11]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

SAS was right for laughing in his face and I would have too. I'm sorry but i don't care if you gave Bynum two brand new legs he still wouldn't in the same class as Dwight. Dwight's physical grifts trumps Bynum's all day.

As far as offensively goes yes Bynum has a slightly better post game (Dwight's showed very good improvement last year) but Dwight still gives you 20 plus on 60 percent shooting while being double and tripled all night(something Bynum doesn't have to deal with). So even if Bynum has better post moves his offensive production doesn't match Dwight's. As far as rebounding goes yes Bynum is a good rebounder but outside of Kevin Love nobody controls the glass like Dwight.

The biggest gap between them though and what puts Dwight so far ahead in my book is on the defensive end. Dwight changes the game defensively far more than anybody in the league and its not even remotely close. There is a reason Dwight has won three straight DPOY awards. He has been the league leader in defensive win shares the past four years, defensive rating the past three, and blocked shots two of the last three. Now think of those numbers and look at the guys he has had around him defensively. He has had Orlando ranked very high defensively with nothing but below average defenders around him. Just imagine how much more he could do defensively if he had wing defenders like Kobe and Artest instead of Vince, Jason Richardson, and Hedo. Now Imagine what he could do if he had legit PF's like Gasol and LO next to him instead of Lewis and Bass.

Dwight has lead his team to an NBA finals and another ECF. That should speak volumes about where he could take a team and what he could do if he had others great players around him. If you switched him and Bynum Orlando would be a first round loss at the very best but I could also see them not making the playoffs at all. I honestly believe if the Lakers had Dwight instead of Bynum after the Gasol trade they would be the four time defending champs.

[Drewski]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

A healthy Andrew Bynum is why Jim Buss is so resistant to trading the house away along with him. Andrew Bynum is definitely an amazingly high potential center in the league.

Lets keep in mind - he is only 24 years of age.

A healthy Bynum will dominate the league with Dwight for the foreseeable future. Bynum plays hard, has a great offensive skill set, and is a great defender. I like Bynum's footwork as well, I feel like I see him position himself well in the post, around the paint, all the time because he knows how to use his body. He's an aggressive rebounder as well. Not to mention, Bynum doesn't give a damn. He isn't phased by anything. Not injury. Not the CONSTANT talks of him being traded for, what, the last 4 or 5 years? Since Kobe was crying about wanting Kidd for Bynum. Guy just continued to develop his game and body. Lamar Odom was crying on Stephen A. Smith's show because he was "traded" (nothing but respect, he's a passionate and emotional guy. So be it, he played his heart out for the Lakers it's beyond disappointing it went the way it did). Gasol is tweeting #StayPositive and other inspirational garb. Bynum? Guy doesn't care. If I'm getting trade send me out there I'm ready to dominate. If not? Lets get it, I'm here to be a Laker.

Dwight waffling about this whole ordeal really has bothered me. He has had all the time in the world to prepare for this point, he needed to be ready one way or the other this off-season. If he was going to play out the year with the Magic he needed to say, "I fully intend to play out the season with the Magic and do not want to be traded.". Instead, all the talk is about where he would like to be traded. "I love Orlando it's the only place in the World I want to play,", alright, no big deal. But don't go back and forth. If you want something, whether it's to become a better post scorer, or finding your way to another team because you do not intend to extend your contract (allowing your team to receive maximum value they can find), you do it. If Dwight wanted to be a Laker, and had the heart to say it, he'd be a Laker already. If Dwight Howard wanted to stay in Orlando - and I believe he does on a personal level - we wouldn't even have to mention this. I prefer Andrew Bynum's method when it comes to uncertainty of being traded.

But Bynum? He's heard it behind his back his whole career. Doesn't even phase him. He came back to camp, after a disappointing season, when everyone expects the Lakers to make a move for Dwight, in the BEST SHAPE of his career. Why? Because he wants it. And he's only 24. Say what you want about his health, but I think he's going to be fine. Shaq missed 30 games his 3rd year? And one of Bynum's injuries was freakish (Kobe crashing into his knee).

Thing is, Dwight has -it-. I think Drew has immense potential and can be the best big man in the league, besides Dwight. Besides Dwight. Dwight Howard is currently a better center than Andrew Bynum, and has immaculate health. He has freak like strength and athleticism. He is a better defender. And as it stands, he has proven he can carry a team. I don't doubt that a healthy Bynum could, but we haven't seen it proven consistently yet.

If Andrew Bynum is healthy, and we have seen him consistently carry the team when needed, there's no reason to seek Dwight Howard. Let's break Pau down into the PG of the future and a very good PF (what did Jim Buss have Mitch focus on first? Oh ho ho ho).

But here we are. As simple as it sounds, Lakers have a lot of thinking to do as well.

Have to think Jim Buss felt having CP3/Bynum was a better future than building around Dwight.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

Isn't that the same as Sasquatch? a mythological creature that noone has proof that it actually exists.

[1Rose]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

I think this is knee/jerk reaction thread at the thought that LA is not going to get Howard so now rationale must be given to us that Laker fans never cared about getting Dwight in the first place.

Give me Dwight 100000/100000 times.

One, HEALTH! Better defender by a mile, better rebounder, stronger and faster than anyone his size and has turned into a good low post scorer.

Bynum hasn't even proved he can be the best #3 option on his team. How are we going to argue that he would be the best center in the league? Smfh.

[Rockie_Fresh88]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

Its like blasphemy to be a laker fan around here.

I think this is knee/jerk reaction thread at the thought that LA is not going to get Howard so now rationale must be given to us that Laker fans never cared about getting Dwight in the first place.

Give me Dwight 100000/100000 times.

One, HEALTH! Better defender by a mile, better rebounder, stronger and faster than anyone his size and has turned into a good low post scorer.

Bynum hasn't even proved he can be the best #3 option on his team. How are we going to argue that he would be the best center in the league? Smfh.

100000/100000=1
The op said health aside. Dwight is a better Defender hands down. But bynum is not bad either. Dwight is fast for his size and power is unmatched. Bynum is 7'1 and long as hell. Don't act like he isn't a good rebounder when he averaged 9 playing next to Odom(8) and gasol(10). Dwight's post skills are ok not the best. He scores using athleticism mostly. bynum is good in the post if not better than Dwight as far as post moves (He trained with kareem for years)

I do think Dwight would be better though. but U can't act like bynum doesn't have the skill set to be good. Their styles are very different but Bynum's sheer size and length is crazy

[Drewski]

I think this is knee/jerk reaction thread at the thought that LA is not going to get Howard so now rationale must be given to us that Laker fans never cared about getting Dwight in the first place.

Give me Dwight 100000/100000 times.

One, HEALTH! Better defender by a mile, better rebounder, stronger and faster than anyone his size and has turned into a good low post scorer.

Bynum hasn't even proved he can be the best #3 option on his team. How are we going to argue that he would be the best center in the league? Smfh.

Well I for one am not knee jerking. I want Dwight at the five just as bad as the next Laker fan, believe me. But it's over reacting to say Bynum is just a throw away, I've always said Bynum is an amazing center.

I personally think Bynum will continue to improve and put his health issues behind him for good over the next three years. Things is, Kobe has 3 years on contract and who knows what shape he will be in at the end of it. I know he'll still be Kobe, but Lakers need to make sure they have a dominant presence beside Kobe to finish his career out.

For the next 2 to 4 years Dwight will continue to be far away the best big man. But a healthy Bynum will be on Dwights heels if not on equal ground by that point. Really depends more on Dwights development in the post as far as which of the two will have a better post game. Dwight Howard seems much more raw and natural, Bynum seems like he's had to work very hard on his fundamentals to get to this point. Bynum is aggressive, no doubt.

All pointing back to why I have always felt Bynum and Pau was too much for Dwight, and why I know Kupchak and Buss won't tear apart a roster without filling it out properly. They'd be better served finding value for Pau if they can't get Dwight / Scola (or something equivalent to Scola) out of Pau Bynum. Break Pau down into stud pg and starting quality pf if Dwight is out of reach.



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[AlexBrady]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

These two don't exactly rekindle memories of when the giants roamed the paint (Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Thurmond) but they are two of the better centers in the modern game.

Dwight Howard: Is the best shot blocker and rebounder in the game. An explosive leaper and his screens are eliminating. Offense consists of galloping hooks, putbacks, and dunks. Can dominate poor to middling clubs.
He can't pass or handle, which is why his assist to turnover ratio is so bad. Has no touch or finesse in his game or any unpredictability which is why so many of his own shots get blocked. He is mesmerized by the ball, and is succeptible to drop off passes and off-ball cuts. As good as he will ever be, which isn't good enough to win the Gold.

Andrew Bynum: Fluid in his post moves. Good touch on his hooks. Has quick hands and lateral movement.
Doesn't have enough power in his game. Can't pass or handle. His screens are weak, he can't hold his ground, and he doesn't box out. Easily confused, blows too many rotations. Can't rely on guys that are always injured. Has the potential to catch and surpass Howard's game.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

Just to keep things as simple as possible

A healthy Andrew Bynum is maybe a top 5 center
A healthy Dwight Howard is a top 5 player

Simple enough?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

Just to keep things as simple as possible

A healthy Andrew Bynum is maybe a top 5 center
Dwight Howard is a top 5 player

Simple enough?

Much better.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: What Is Your Opinion On A Healthy Andrew Bynum?

I would take for sure Marc Gasol, Horford, Noah and Howard before a healthy Andrew Bynum

Bogut, Nene, Lopez, Al Jefferson and Bynum I would have a hard time choosing out of

If Kaman is motivated, I might choose him over Andrew. If you're gonna throw these "if's" in, then I'll throw in that if with Kaman.

A better discussion is to replace Howard with Bogut, Nene, Lopez, Jefferson, etc. etc.

Andrew Bynum is certainly no throw away, but he's certainly not in the same breath, or seven breaths as Dwight Howard. It's a joke they're even put in the same topic right now [no offense to you TMagic]