Bynum understands his role on the team. Whether he chooses to accept it or not is subject to debate. He realizes that in order to help the team succeed he has to think defense first and offense second. Running is only part of the solution.
“That’s something they always want out of me,” Bynum said. “I need to get there. It will allow me to get more touches.”
At least against San Antonio, Bynum had to guard Tim Duncan most of the night. Take comfort in knowing that if he in fact did struggle, it was against one of the best players in his position. It was a different story against New Orleans on Saturday night and Sacramento a little over a week ago when Bynum struggled to play consistent defense. The injury depleted front line of the Hornets sent third and fourth-string centers Aaron Gray and DJ Mbenga out on the floor. Both had career-high nights.
Bynum is still only 23 years old and injuries have been his Achilles heel for the majority of his 5-year career in the league. Once he gets his stride on defense, Jackson should keep him on the floor for extended minutes. Then perhaps Bynum will finally realize all that potential Kupchak saw in him all along, the potential we’ve only yet to see in glimpses too few and far between.
“You keep waiting for him to take that next step, and we haven’t even mentioned him (and) the All-Star team,” TNT analyst Charles Barkley said on the air during Thursday’s televised game. “You think about his potential and people talking about him becoming a great player. You have to wonder if he’s as good as he’s going to get. By this point, he should be an All-Star every year.”
It all starts on the D-E-F-E-N-S-E.
