After losing five-straight games, Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh made a public plea to his teammates to feed him the ball more in the lower post. Against the Lakers, Bosh had one of his better games and most definitely his biggest following a string of lowly performances.
I suppose that method works for some people.
Andrew Bynum neither had to beg for Kobe Bryant to give him offensive-consideration in the paint nor request a supply of tissues from the Lakers training staff. For Bynum, actions speak louder than words and in a similar way, defense speaks louder than offense. He’s been a completely different player since the All-Star break, buying into Phil Jackson’s defensive schemes and maturing right before our very eyes.
“My confidence is really getting built up just because I can realize I can have that type of effect on a basketball game without touching the ball,” Bynum said after the Lakers 96-91 win over Dallas on Saturday night.
Next: Bynum a completely different guy post-All Star break.
Over the Lakers last 10 games, he’s averaged 12.1 points per game, 12.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. During the Lakers last four road games his numbers rose slightly averaging 13.8 points, 15 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. The difference in rebounds and blocks, a testiment to Bynum’s hard work in the lower post could also be attributed to the Lakers implementation of a crafty new way to defend the pick-and-roll.
Simply put the re-vamped pick and roll defense begins with the wing players running opposing players off the their spots, funneling them into the painted area where Bynum acts as a plug, blocking any dribble penetration, high percentage shots and uncontested lay-ups. The lone soft spot in the defensive strategy is the mid-range game, although Jackson concedes defeat should the Lakers get burned in that aspect.
Against San Antonio it was just what the Lakers needed to beat a team gunning for a championship run, holding one-half of the Spurs’ Parker/Ginobili offense to a minimum and taking Tim Duncan almost completely out of the game.
It isn’t an abberation if you’re noticing that Bynum is getting more blocks and altering more shots, it’s merely a result of the Lakers running an efficient defense and Bynum doing his part. The extra effort on the boards is an added bonus.
“Rebounding-wise, for sure [I’ve raised the standard],” Bynum said. “That’s one thing I’ve always kind of been knocked on for, not getting enough boards.”
Bynum may be more focused on defense, but against Dallas he showed that every once and a while he can contribute on offense, scoring a season-high 22 points.
“My focus isn’t really offensively,” Bynum said. “Right now I’m just kind of playing off my teammates. Defensively is where I’m just trying to alter shots and really rebound. It keeps you in the flow of the game when you just pursue the ball. It’s a way to get more touches on the basketball without having to dominate the ball offensively.”
Next: Bynum’s new-found role has Kobe singing his praises
Along with his season-high point total, Bynum also logged in a game-high 37 minutes. His production value kept him in the game for extended minutes, at least extended for his standards, although the Lakers remain cautious over his surgically repaired knees. Bynum’s new-found defensive knack is going to come in handy during the playoffs, Laker fans have good reason to feel touchy around the subject of health when it involves Bynum, let’s hope this year is different than the previous two.
“He’s at full strength now,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “He’s got the feel for it, and he knows what he’s doing out there. … Drew is just really coming into his own.”
It wasn’t just Jackson taking notice of Bynum’s maturation, his teammates are also praising the young center.
“He was sensational,” Bryant said. “He looks like he’s kind of figuring things out. I don’t know if he’s putting something in his cereal in the morning or what, but something is clicking in for him in terms of exactly what we need from him and how to play big down in the post.”
During a time when big, dominant centers are a dying breed in the NBA, Bynum at times displays facets of his game similar to those perfected by many of the great centers in Lakers history. He’s definitely not close to being mentioned in that illustrious group and his enormous potential is sometimes de-railed or impacted by injury, causing some to view him as a risk instead of a commodity. Although he’s yet to prove his own defensively against arguably the best center in the league, Dwight Howard, he’ll get his chance when the Lakers face Orlando at Staples Monday night.
We saw the Celtics trade away their starting center for youth and offense coming off the bench. This even after all the fuss the Celtics coaching staff made over the 2010 title being decided by rebounds. It’s strikingly similar to a trade the Lakers may have contemplated, but never really had the opportunity to pull the trigger on.
But no one seriously thought Melo-for-Bynum was that great an idea right?
Next: Steve Blake and other game notes
The Lakers haven’t completely rounded themselves into playoff form just yet, but the bench has certainly made strides towards becoming an added benefit for the team as opposed to a liability.
Steve Blake came through as both set-up guy and three-point threat against Dallas while Bryant was treated for a sprained ankle sustained during the final minutes of the third quarter. His activity on the defensive end didn’t go unnoticed, forcing a few turnovers and preventing J.J. Barea from having his way in the paint.
After sustaining what looked like a severe ankle sprain, Kobe Bryant is considered a game-time decision for the matchup against Orlando. The Lakers’ next game isn’t until Friday against Minnesota. Should Bryant miss tonight’s game, it could buy him four full days of rest and treatment, five counting Sunday, although Jackson doesn’t anticipate that fact swaying his decision to play Bryant.
He did reference the span of six games that Bryant missed last season as ultimately benefitting him in the finals, but all indications point to Bryant being on the floor if he’s feeling up to it.