Andrew Bynum’s Most Memorable Lakers Moments, Pt. II

1. The Shaq Incident (1/16/06)

Imagine you just turned 18 and graduated from high school six months ago. Now imagine that it’s Martin Luther King Day and you’re thrown into a nationally televised game and forced to match up with future Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal — the man you were drafted to replace and perhaps the most physically intimidating basketball player who ever lived. That’s what happened to Bynum. And he lived up to the challenge. O’Neal had won the first three match-ups with the Lakers since being traded to Miami. The fourth would be the charm for the Lakers. First, Shaq welcomes Bynum to the league with a put-back dunk right over him. And just when you think Bynum might ball himself into a fetal position and cry uncontrollably, he does the exact opposite. Instead, he returns the favor by embarrassing Shaq in the building O’Neal once dubbed “The House That Shaq Built”. What followed after was a near fight between the two. Even though Baby Bynum looks like he might poop in his shorts, it’s clear that Shaq felt humiliated.

Just listen to how the crowd reacts. I was there so I can tell you how electric it was. If there was a moment that signified that the Lakers were over the Shaq trade and finally ready to move on, this was it:

httpvhd://youtu.be/bd-FLEDTfao

So long, Drew! And thanks for the memories.

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Kobe Bryant On His Final Game In Boston Against Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers will make their lone visit to Boston Wednesday night, a special appearance as it will be Kobe Bryant’s last time taking the floor in Bean Town…

Anthony Davis Discusses Why Lakers Emphasize And Embrace Defense So Much

Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers managed to overcome a poor offensive showing against the Atlanta Hawks to…

Anthony Davis: Lakers Are Motivated By Trash-Talk From Nuggets

Going into the 2023 Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets were simply two teams with the same goal…

Lakers Nation Reacts: Which Player Would You Start A Franchise With?

With Phil Jackson’s book tour well underway, there’s been a lot of…