The Goat Pen

Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sources: Lakers fine Andrew Bynum
By Dave McMenamin
ESPNLosAngeles.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum might not have attempted any more 3-pointers after being benched last week, but his team's disciplinary actions against him didn't end there.

Bynum recently was fined an undisclosed amount for "numerous infractions," multiple sources confirmed to ESPNLosAngeles.com. One of the stunts that warranted the fine from the team was Bynum blowing off a meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

Bynum told ESPNLosAngeles.com he was unaware of the fine before getting into his car outside the Lakers practice facility and driving away after the team's shootaround in preparation for their game against the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday.

Bynum did tell the website, though, he will not play in Tuesday night's game after suffering a moderate sprain of his left ankle in the first quarter of a game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

The sprain did not require an MRI on Monday and X-rays on Bynum's ankle were negative, but Bynum did not participate in the Lakers' shootaround on Tuesday. Bynum used the shootaround time for treatment, which included anti-inflammatory medicine.

Lakers coach Mike Brown had said Bynum's status would be a game-time decision.

"I can't play," Bynum said while wearing tape around his left ankle. "Hopefully (Wednesday against the Clippers)."

While Bynum never has been better on the court, averaging career highs in points (17.9) and rebounds (11.9) per game to go along with 2.0 blocks and the second best field goal percentage in the league (58.1 percent), he increasingly has been difficult off it since playing in his first All-Star Game in February.

The seven-year veteran mixed his messages Saturday after scoring 17 of his 19 points after halftime in the Lakers' 88-85 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Bynum first said, "I need some more shots, I think," when asked about his slow start. He then changed his tune and said he got enough touches and was simply trying to rack up 10 assists so he was passing more. He finished with two assists.

He was later asked a question about Kobe Bryant's demeanor during timeouts as Bryant struggled through a 3 for 21 shooting game and Bynum pled ignorance.

"I don't take part in the huddles," Bynum said. "I'm resting ... getting my Zen on."

Bynum was ejected from a recent game in Houston after picking up his second technical foul and rather than leaving the court quickly slapped hands with fans sitting courtside before making his exit.

No Phil, no Fish, no Shaw...Drew is little it all out.

That would have been the best offer for ORL.

ultimately, that will be the deal that gets done

If Im Orlando though, I want sessions included, or LA's first pick

I dunno. NJ's offer might not be as good but a re-building team needs a level of maturity that Bynum doesn't posess. Orlando might be better off taking Lopez and a future first rounder.

Even trading for Howard wouldn't guarantee that Williams signs. Howard on the Nets without Williams is still a lottery team so that pick would be valuable.

I think Williams is destined to Dallas with or without Howard.

A Brook Lopez deal is just as good as a Bynum deal? Drew is leagues in front of Lopez. They are not even close. LA wouldn't do a trade with NJ for that.

re - A Brook Lopez deal is just as good as a Bynum deal?

Did you read what I posted? I said the deal might not be as good but Bynum will be a headcase on a rebuilding team.

If you got NJ to put in an unprotected pick (or even better, TWO), I would take the picks and Lopez rather than using Bynum as a cornerstone on a team that will suck for the foreseeable future.

I believe Bynum is more likely since he's a quicker fix to being competitive quickly but I think Lopez and picks is more attractive in the long term situation. Bynum vs. Lopez is a no brainer. Bynum vs. Lopez/picks is more fair since NJ will suck if Williams bolts. those picks will have value that isn't a straight up deal. The filler that LA is adding is just cap ballast.

and by the way, I was saying that ORLANDO would do a NJ deal (assuming picks involved) just as likely as an LA deal for Bynum.... not that LA would trade for Lopez over Howard.

NJ's offer might not be as good but a re-building team needs a level of maturity that Bynum doesn't posess.

I missed the "not" on the first read.

Honestly, I'd say be inclined to turn down the NJ deal if I was ORL - even if it meant Dwight walking.

Overpaying for Brook Lopez is a really bad idea - potentially crippling. Brook isn't just "not as good as Bynum", he's actually a pretty bad basketball player that has gotten worse every year since having a promising rookie campaign.

He rebounds like a SF, he blocks less than 2 shots a game (and plays very poor positional defense) and while he has some offensive ability, he's mostly just a jumpshooter (and not a particularly efficient scorer for a C).

Plus he's a big that just missed almost an entire season with a foot injury.

Are second round pics really worth that much?

I don't get the part about the 2nd round picks.

Brook was a first rounder. If you are referring to the fact that the Blazers own the Nets first rounder (top 3 protected), my post said "future" first rounders.

I was just asking a question. To me future pics = 2nd round pics. Like the player to be named later.

Jungle Rat wrote:I was just asking a question. To me future pics = 2nd round pics. Like the player to be named later.

Plus it seems that the newest thing to do with future 1st round picks is lottery protect them for a few years and then they turn into 2nd round picks.

You aren't seeing anymore of the shit like Minny finally giving up a 1st round pick for Marko Jaric 7 years after the trade was made...

im not sur where 2nd rounders came into the picture & I know the LA deal is better than what NJ is offering

but I think you're criticism of Lopez was a bit over the top there sim. Dude brings alot to the table for his size, he's decent at the ft line and he operates well on the block

to me, he's a straight bonus, but I guess it depends on expectations too, out of stanford I thought he'd be Mark Madsen at best and if he stays healthy he'll improve for sure

I think he's going to make FAR too much money and doesn't do enough of the things that help you win. I think he can make for a pretty boxscore (provided you gloss over rebounds), but he's empty stats IMO.

NJ would not be able to lottery protect a pick in dealing for Howard... ESPECIALLY if Bynum is legitimately on the table. They don't have a lot on their roster and we all agree that Bynum >>> Lopez. Is drafting outside the lottery for NJ much different than taking a Laker pick? 5-10 positions?

If NJ wants ANY chance of retaining Williams, they would need to add at least one, if not two, unprotected picks to overcome the talent disparity of Lopez/Bynum.

Otherwise, Bynum in Orlando would be a guarantee because, headcase or not, he's much better than Lopez. The NJ picks would be the only reason I could see Orlando taking a less talented player for the potential payoff. and Sim, Orlando could afford to overpay Lopez a bit if they cleaned house.

Wow, thirty boards against a quality opponent. Dude's starting to build a little legend.

He is starting to find out that he can dominate games in many ways.

SA is a quality opponent, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves, they are really a quality team with little size in the front court.