Andrew Bynum Lakers’ Second Option?
The scoring pecking order is no longer former MVP Kobe Bryant, followed by former All-Star Pau Gasol, followed by up-and-comer Andrew Bynum.
Now it’s Kobe, then Bynum, then Gasol.
“It seems like it’s changed a little bit,” Bryant said after the Lakers’ 97-90 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday. “Andrew is thirsty to score and he can score. He has more of a scorer’s mentality [than Gasol], so we’ll take advantage of that.”
Bryant is averaging 27.8 points on 23.1 shot attempts per game through the Lakers’ 5-4 start to the season after pouring in 39 points on 13-for-28 shooting against the Warriors. Bynum is averaging 19.6 points on 14 shot attempts per game. Gasol is averaging 17.1 points on 12.2 shot attempts per game.
Gasol eclipsed Bynum against Golden State, scoring 17 points on 8-for-15 shooting to Bynum’s nine points on 3-for-9 shooting, but Bryant said Bynum will grow into his position as second in command on offense as he gets accustomed to dealing with double teams.
“We will be going into him a lot,” Bryant said. “He’s kind of taking over that role. He’ll just get used to the consistency of touches and dealing with double teams and stuff like that. He’ll be fine. He’s a quick learner.”
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