From the large amount of internet articles, twitter profiles and discussions on both television and sports blogs alike, everyone has heard of the speculated Bynum/Howard trade.
The presence of Dwight Howard, three time Defensive Player of the Year and five time NBA All-Star, has made the Magic a team to contend with since he was drafted by Orlando in 2004. Standing at 6’11 and playing Center, Howard has a display of blocks, dunks, and drives throughout every NBA season, making him one of the most well known big men in the game today.
On the other hand, the Lakers still have hold of Andrew Bynum. GM Mitch Kupchak recently told Lakers.com that “there’s no player in the league for whom the Los Angeles Lakers would trade Andrew Bynum, as long as Bynum is able to stay healthy and maintain his current high level of play”. While Laker fans may believe getting one of the best Centers in the league in Howard could automatically solve the woes of the 2010-11 season, we need to remember what happened with the Miami Heat. They received some of the best, and believed they had it all. In the end, however, they were not the ones hoisting up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, and not one member of the “Big Three” was able to claim the Finals MVP as their own. The Heat are now in the same boat as every other team in the NBA besides Dallas; unsuccessful and needing to try again.
The Lakers are one of the greatest franchises in the history of sports. With that said, they would be able to get some of the greatest physical therapists, trainers, and surgeons on hand for whatever injury their players may acquire. If Andrew Bynum is able to stay healthy and on top of his game, he will be the deciding factor for the Lakers for many years to come.
I’ve already seen major changes, beyond the obvious, since Bynum was drafted to the Lakers in 2005. He showed us he was here to play in his rookie season, when facing the Miami Heat he was matched up against Laker legend Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq was able to dunk over Bynum on a putback attempt, but as soon as the Lakers went down to the other side of the floor, Bynum responded with a spin around O’Neal to dunk the ball himself. Bynum then ran down the court, putting an elbow into Shaq, who responded with an elbow in the Laker Centers chest, causing a scuffle which Kobe Bryant, coincidentally, had to break apart.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-FLEDTfao
Also, as a fan watching Bynum week after week, I’ve seen his body and demeanor change. He looks like he has lost a lot of unneeded weight, and built up muscle. He’s become more dominant in the paint, gaining more rebounds than ever, which proved necessary throughout the 2011 playoffs when Gasol seemed to be off in his own world. I believe there is no reason to fix things that are not broken. Bynum has worked through injuries before, some very serious compared to others. After looking around the league this season and seeing players sit out, such as Rondo for a “jammed finger” in the 2011 playoffs, having a player with such tenacity and desire to play the game is something that cannot be taught, and Los Angeles needs to keep hold of the greatness that they already have.
Next: Boom Boom Pau to Boom Boom Love?
What would the Lakers gain from such a trade? As previously stated, Gasol’s post season was unbelievable, and not in a positive way. His offensive and defensive presence was absent throughout the first two rounds, arguably causing the Lakers to have an early exit against the later crowned Champions Dallas Mavericks.
Multiple rumors were passed around as to why Gasol played so poorly, but at the end of the day, there are no excuses acceptable to why a persons game can change so drastically at such an important moment in a player, and teams, career.
The mindset of the Spanish native was questioned by many throughout the postseason. Is this the end of Pau Gasol’s Laker reign? Has he become too comfortable in Los Angeles, and needs a trade to become the player that he has the capability of becoming? Possibly.
Kevin Love would automatically become a favorite in Los Angeles. Born in Santa Monica and attending UCLA for one year before entering the 2008 NBA Draft, returning to his roots may be what he needs to improve upon his own career. As a power forward/center, I feel that Love is a lot better on the point scoring side of the game, and no one can argue with his rebounding capabilities.
Also, in this past season he won the NBA Most Improved Award, and led the league with most rebounds. He recorded 64 double-doubles in the season, and arguably became the new face of the Timberwolves since Kevin Garnett’s departure to the Celtics in 2007.
The trade seems beneficial to both teams. Minnesota would acquire two of the top Spanish players who could easily work together, while the Lakers would receive hometown boy Kevin Love, along with a top Draft pick that the Lakers could really use. I see this as a good trade, as Kemba Walker could still be available in the draft, automatically solving the Lakers point guard needs.
In the end, this is all speculation, and nothing is set in stone. There are always trades that fall through, and some that are questionable forever, but the trade of Gasol for Love could help two teams, and possibly push the Lakers to their third championship in four years for the 2011-2012 season.