Lakers Looking for First Place
One of the bigger surprises of this year’s NBA season is the play of the Lakers who, after beating Phoenix on Christmas day 122-115, are just one game behind the Suns for first place in the division. After an offseason which saw Kobe Bryant pout, fume, and demand a trade, the team has rallied to an 18-10 record with Kobe and the spare parts that he wanted to sell for scrap during the summer.
Andrew Bynum, which at various times in his short career, has been on the receiving end of some of Bryant’s barbs, has stepped up his game this season, and seems to be feeling more comfortable in his NBA skin. Against the Suns, Bynum played like a veteran and not like the 20 year old he actually is. The 7-footer scored 28 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists to complement Bryant’s 38 point performance. Bynum has provided the inside presence that the team has lacked since Shaquille O’Neil left. Although certainly not playing at a Shaq-like level, Bynum is averaging a double-double this season.
Bryant wanted Bynum out in a package deal for Kevin Garnett during the offseason, and certainly getting the Big Ticket in LA would have helped, but if Bynum continues to come along as he has been so far this year, the youth movement in LA may well end up with LA being an unlikely contender in the West.
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