Updated: December 17, 2012, 7:15 am ET

Kobe Agrees He Stunted Bynum’s Growth

By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Andrew Bynum played seven seasons with Kobe Bryant as his teammate before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer.

But by the end of his time in L.A., Bynum felt that Bryant’s ball-dominant ways hurt his development as one of the league’s best centers.

“I thought it really helped me a lot obviously at first, because he draws so much attention it’s hard for guys to double team and key on you, so it helped me tremendously,” Bynum told a group of L.A. reporters before the Lakers played the Sixers on Sunday. “Later, I felt I was able to get the ball more and do more things with the ball, so I could definitely see how it could stunt growth.”

Bryant, who said he met with Bynum for 3-4 minutes after he put up 34 points in the Lakers’ 111-98 win over the Sixers, was not offended by his former teammate’s remarks. In fact, he agreed with them.

“For sure, because when you’re playing with me you obviously have to sacrifice something,” Bryant said.

via Dave McMenamin of the ESPN Los Angeles

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