Bynum should’ve spoke about Lakers last year
by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports
So, Andrew, you’re speaking the truth about the Los Angeles Lakers … NOW? You’re talking about Kobe Bryant stunting your growth and the need for more post play and an inside-out offense now, when you’ve long since been sent to Philadelphia and you nor your argument have a leg to stand on anymore? Talk about better never than late.
Andrew Bynum, the Sixers center who finally took the filter off with reporters on Sunday on the topic of why it never worked as well as it should have during his seven seasons with the Lakers, should have been saying these things when there was still time to do something about it. The Lakers were a flawed team during his later years in Los Angeles, and he knew it better than anyone.
Public pressure on the topic could have gone a long ways toward changing a culture that has been one way – namely Kobe’s way – for a long time. If anything, the always-unfiltered Bryant may have respected Bynum’s candor and courage to speak up for what he thought was right as a competitor rather than take the passive-aggressive approach (see his infamous three-pointer). Bynum – who has yet to play for the Sixers this season because of lingering problems with his left knee – would make the occasional public comment about problems with the Lakers’ offense, but he hadn’t addressed the dynamic with Bryant this directly until now.
He would share his thoughts privately, to be sure, grumbling about how his role in the offensive system wasn’t valued like it should be and wondering why a balanced plan of attack wasn’t more of a priority. But to say it now is pointless, like telling the judge at the alimony proceeding what you wish your wife had done differently leading up to the divorce. If you wanted this marriage to work, you could have done something about it earlier. No need to tell old tales now (or, by the way, to deem yourself the No. 1 center in the league – as he did in the same interview – … [For more on Andrew Bynum should've spoken about Lakers last year, click here.]
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