Andrew Bynum article @ Page 2 (Insert corny ESPN title here)

[Micchy_boy]

its a big gamble for the Lakers but i like the pick.... we dont need Bynum to be the next shaq just a decent center and anchor of the triangle offense will be enough.... how kobe and phil relation will work and how kobe and odom co-exist will determine the lakers future....

also it is early to say who will be the next superstar of this class even green. so lets wait til the season begun and give every rookies a chance to show their stuff.

[Blue Nugget]

... are you every Laker fan forum on the internet? We really should get those reading comprehension tests sorted out for when people sign up to this place.

It is indeed starting to get out of control.

[kinokong]

sure he sounds a little cocky but weren't ppl praising bogut for blasting kobe a couple weeks ago...? sure hes not on the same class as bogut or even may but if he gives me 7 points 8 rebounds and a block a game i'll be happy with his rookie year

[J@3]

Lol you're kidding, 7 and 8 for a kid who's played a grand total of 25 high school games? There's a huge difference between Bogut and what this kid's coming out with. He's not blasting anyone, but he's saying stupid things that he doesn't need to come out with (i.e "I'm gonna bring the skyhook back" etc) Bogut stated facts about Kobe.

[The Game]

Since when is that a good thing?

Ummm... yes.

If Diop was actually healthy and had the determination of a Kobe Bryant he would be pretty decent at worst.

[Fresh8]

Basically, skill put aside, He's acheived nothing at all. So he should keep his mouth shut!

[The Game]

cough*Bogut*cough

[Fresh8]

Bogut's won a gold medal with the Australian Jr Mens Team at the world juniors championship. Won MVP I believe and had a huge doubel double against Team USA. He played for the Australian Sr. Team at age 18 and averaged 14 ppg, 8 rpg in a tournament for the mosty experienced players in the world. And you know how well he did for the university of Utah, leading the nation in doubles with 20 ppg, 12 rpg and then taking home a lot of college ball hardware. Top it off with the 1st pick.

How does Bynum compare? In any situation, Bogut has more of a say than Bynum at this stage. Bynum hasnt acheived anything.

Not saying that Bogut is allowed to talk obviously, in the end though, he has more of a voice.

[Andrew]

Ummm... yes.

If Diop was actually healthy and had the determination of a Kobe Bryant he would be pretty decent at worst.

He was drafted as a project. Project players are not known for their well-honed skills or developed game. Health is an issue, granted, but he's still fairly raw and limited. He's been in the league a few years but hasn't really improved at all. Therefore, it would be to the Lakers advantage if Bynum's career didn't take the same path.

[The Game]

He was drafted as a project. Project players are not known for their well-honed skills or developed game.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious

He's been in the league a few years but hasn't really improved at all. Therefore, it would be to the Lakers advantage if Bynum's career didn't take the same path.

Mainly because he doesnt have the work ethic and the determination to improve. Bynum is gonna work out with Kobe Bryant<---- that says a lot about Bynum's determination to improve. He's gonna take a different path than Diop.

[The X]

a question to Lakers fans who are rating Andrew Bynum....are you viewing his game objectively? If the Knicks or the Clippers picked him, would you still feel the same about the kid's potential or are you just defending him because he is now a Laker?

[J@3]

Bynum is gonna work out with Kobe Bryant<---- that says a lot about Bynum's determination to improve.

Yeah, ignoring the fact that his brother had to write it down on a piece of paper to remind him to ask Kobe about it

And yeah as Sit pointed out, despite never playing in the NBA Bogut's done ALOT in basketball... Bynum has played 25 high school games. I don't think he was really talking shit or anything to be honest, saying he can shoot free throws etc is just him joking around. He'll figure it all out someday.

[The Game]

Bogut's won a gold medal with the Australian Jr Mens Team at the world juniors championship. Won MVP I believe and had a huge doubel double against Team USA. He played for the Australian Sr. Team at age 18 and averaged 14 ppg, 8 rpg in a tournament for the mosty experienced players in the world. And you know how well he did for the university of Utah, leading the nation in doubles with 20 ppg, 12 rpg and then taking home a lot of college ball hardware. Top it off with the 1st pick.

With no nba experience whatsoever...

How does Bynum compare? In any situation, Bogut has more of a say than Bynum at this stage. Bynum hasnt acheived anything.

More of a say? Neither players have more to say because neither one of these players are yet to play a minute of nba basketball.

If the Knicks or the Clippers picked him, would you still feel the same about the kid's potential or are you just defending him because he is now a Laker?

I wouldnt give a damn about this kid if he was drafted by another team.

I don't think he was really talking shit or anything to be honest, saying he can shoot free throws etc is just him joking around. He'll figure it all out someday.

Exactly. The kid is barely 18, give the kid a break.

[Andrew]

Thanks for pointing out the obvious

I mentioned it because you seemed to be suggesting he was a talented player.

Mainly because he doesnt have the work ethic and the determination to improve. Bynum is gonna work out with Kobe Bryant<---- that says a lot about Bynum's determination to improve. He's gonna take a different path than Diop.

But before you said it was a good sign that he had similarities to Diop...you're contradicting yourself there. In any case, I too think Bynum will avoid the path Diop seems to be on. I'm not convinced he'll be a star player and at this point he's still potentially a bust, but I'm certainly not going to write him off before he's even played a game.

[J@3]

Yahoo have him as Best Case Scenario: Brendan Haywood, Worst Case: Olowokandi... can't really argue with that given his background and the fact that no one seems to have seen him play more than 20 minutes.

[The Game]

I mentioned it because you seemed to be suggesting he was a talented player.

I was implying that he is talented. Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Desagano Diop, Kwame Brown....they were all talented. They just needed to work on improving that talent to do well in the nba.

But before you said it was a good sign that he had similarities to Diop...you're contradicting yourself there.

I said he had the talent of a Diop. Diop has the talent, just not determined to be the best that he can be. Kwame is talented but he's clueless and immature despite having played in the league for a couple of years.

In any case, I too think Bynum will avoid the path Diop seems to be on. I'm not convinced he'll be a star player and at this point he's still potentially a bust, but I'm certainly not going to write him off before he's even played a game.

By avoiding Diop's path, he avoids being a bust. Contradicting eh?

[Andrew]

No contradiction in what I wrote. While I don't think he'll turn out like Diop, I acknowledge that does remain a possibility.

[The X]

maybe you guys can help me....I've never seen Diop play so I can't really comment....but I always thought that Diop was drafted on his size (similar to Bynum's) and athleticism for his size and solid skills and potential that could be developed on.....I never thought of Diop as a talent, more of a potential talent....guess it's how you look at it....

[J@3]

Last time I saw Diop play the only things that came to mind were "slow... sluggish, and slow".

[The Game]

Those were contradicting statements... Anyway, realistically, we may get Eddy Curry-like stats from his in his first year in the league.

[Andrew]

maybe you guys can help me....I've never seen Diop play so I can't really comment....but I always thought that Diop was drafted on his size (similar to Bynum's) and athleticism for his size and solid skills and potential that could be developed on.....I never thought of Diop as a talent, more of a potential talent....guess it's how you look at it....

Mostly because of his size and his potential. He was (and still is) pretty raw, with the thought being he could develop a few reliable post moves and hone his defensive skills, but mainly rely on his size.

[The X]

^^^ isn't that what they are expecting from Bynum, except maybe he's a little more athletic and has slightly better hands?

[Andrew]

Those were contradicting statements...

No, they're not. I'm acknowledging the possibility he could be a bust, but stating my opinion or prediction if you like that he won't be. I'm not saying he'll do both, needless to say that's not possible; that would be a contradiction.

[Andrew]

^^^ isn't that what they are expecting from Bynum, except maybe he's a little more athletic and has slightly better hands?

Kind of, though most scouting reports suggest Bynum's a little more polished offensively than Diop.

[The Game]

http://www.hoopshype.com/players/desagana_diop.htm

Very, very big... Good mobility... Runs the floor well... Has outstanding shot blocking skills... Has developed a decent mid-range shot... No low post moves... Not a good rebounder for his size... Very inconsistent... A big disappointment so far.