Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol - A Fit From Heaven Or Hell?
Seems like a strange question to ask of a front court duo who just won a championship last season together.
However, that is indeed a hot topic among members of the Lakers Nation.
Can Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol co-exist? There have been times during the current season where both players seem to function better and produce more when not having to share the paint with the other.
Early on in the season when Pau was out with a hamstring injury and Andrew was the second option and first low post scoring option he was averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds and was an early favorite to start in the All-star game as the starting center for the West.
However, when Pau returned Andrew's numbers took a significant dip.
Gasol has also had some of his better games this season with Lamar Odom starting at the PF in place of Bynum.
The question is what do the Lakers do about this? One could say they should just be patient and allow these two guys to get use to playing with one other because the fact remains they have yet to play a full season together.
It takes time to gain that chemistry.
One could also say the Lakers should do something about this because it's not working as effectively as they'd hope.
That's having two 7 footers in there giving them that Twin Tower affect.
Some feel Bynum should be benched in favor of Odom.
Odom seems to produce more in the starting lineup.
Gasol would be more effective because he'd have the room in the paint to go to work offensively.
While Bynum could join the bench mob and give them a low post scoring option to go to when their run and gun mentality is not the answer.
Last of all, and by far the most extreme solution would be to trade Bynum for an upgrade at the point or for a center who's first, second, and last priority is to play defense and rebound.
There was a trade rumor floating around prior to the deadline of Bynum, Farmar, and Morrison to the Bulls for Noah and Hinrich.
Depending upon who you asked that trade would have been a stroke of genius on General Manager's Mitch Kupchak's behalf.
Needless to say that trade did not go down and the Lakers stood pat with the team they have.
Going forward it will be interesting to see how Bynum and Gasol are able to mesh and if not, will Lakers management be willing to revisit the possibility of trading their young center this summer.
However, that is indeed a hot topic among members of the Lakers Nation.
Can Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol co-exist? There have been times during the current season where both players seem to function better and produce more when not having to share the paint with the other.
Early on in the season when Pau was out with a hamstring injury and Andrew was the second option and first low post scoring option he was averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds and was an early favorite to start in the All-star game as the starting center for the West.
However, when Pau returned Andrew's numbers took a significant dip.
Gasol has also had some of his better games this season with Lamar Odom starting at the PF in place of Bynum.
The question is what do the Lakers do about this? One could say they should just be patient and allow these two guys to get use to playing with one other because the fact remains they have yet to play a full season together.
It takes time to gain that chemistry.
One could also say the Lakers should do something about this because it's not working as effectively as they'd hope.
That's having two 7 footers in there giving them that Twin Tower affect.
Some feel Bynum should be benched in favor of Odom.
Odom seems to produce more in the starting lineup.
Gasol would be more effective because he'd have the room in the paint to go to work offensively.
While Bynum could join the bench mob and give them a low post scoring option to go to when their run and gun mentality is not the answer.
Last of all, and by far the most extreme solution would be to trade Bynum for an upgrade at the point or for a center who's first, second, and last priority is to play defense and rebound.
There was a trade rumor floating around prior to the deadline of Bynum, Farmar, and Morrison to the Bulls for Noah and Hinrich.
Depending upon who you asked that trade would have been a stroke of genius on General Manager's Mitch Kupchak's behalf.
Needless to say that trade did not go down and the Lakers stood pat with the team they have.
Going forward it will be interesting to see how Bynum and Gasol are able to mesh and if not, will Lakers management be willing to revisit the possibility of trading their young center this summer.
