Kobe Bryant will always be the Lakers’ top scoring option, but the greatest advantage the Lakers have over their opponents is the size and scoring potency amongst their big men. Let’s take a look at the Lakers’ front line of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol:
Pau Gasol (Grade: B): Considering that he was almost traded to the Houston Rockets in a deal that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers, Pau Gasol has played quite well. Constantly having to look over his shoulder, Gasol has managed 17 points (on 50 percent shooting), 10.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He is still a double-double machine, but his numbers are slightly down from his previous years with the Lakers (ranging between 18-19 points on no less than 53 percent shooting). Part of this can be attributed to Andrew Bynum’s emergence, which results in Gasol having less space around the basket and having to take more outside shots. And some of it can be attributed to trying to find his way through the new offensive system, as he had thrived under the Triangle.
However, often times Gasol has not looked focused or fully involved in the games. We’ve seen a few flashes where Gasol is assertive and aggressive, especially down the stretch, but he has definitely lacked passion this season. After Bryant’s recent public support of Gasol, and a players-only meeting in which the core message was to stick together, Gasol has looked more focused on basketball. Only time will tell if he can regain his passion, but he has seemingly picked up his assertiveness as of late, and looked to either create offense for others, or for himself.
If the offense can continue to run through him more often, Gasol looks poised for a solid second half. Additionally, after the March 15 trade deadline, if Gasol remains a Laker, we expect his energy level and focus to truly pick up. Gasol needs to get back to the level of play he had during the championship run, in which he was the secondary option behind Bryant and on many occasions helped provide the “1-2 punch” that really destroyed other teams. He is still the Lakers’ second best player, and has the ability to play poised under pressure, whereas Andrew Bynum still must prove himself.
Andrew Bynum (Grade: A-): The biggest positive for Andrew Bynum this year has been his health. He has played in every game he has been allowed to (he was suspended for the first four games of the season), and looked healthy so far. His conditioning looks suspect at times, but overall he looks nimble and is able to finish around the basket.
Bynum’s numbers prove this, as he is averaging a career-high 16.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in 34:36 minutes. His free throw percentage (62 percent) has fallen off from his career average of 67.8 percent, however. He has looked dominant at times, but still has trouble playing against double teams, and also has issues with consistency in marquee games.
However, Bynum’s maturity this season has been an equally positive aspect of his game so far. After longing to be selected to his first All-Star team, Bynum finally had arrived as the Western Conference’s best center. However, the fact that he opted for a medical procedure–in which his right knee was injected with a synthetic lubricant during All-Star weekend–proved his maturity and dedication to his long term progress. As a result of the injection, Bynum’s knee was sore, and he asked to play no more than six minutes in the exhibition.
If he can continue to grow as a player and remain healthy, we expect a promising second half of the season for Andrew Bynum.
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