Ready or Not, Here's Andrew Bynum

- Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
October 21, 2006

Andrew Bynum turns 19 next Friday, but he hasn't submitted a gift list to anyone.

"I have everything I ever wanted — I'm playing in the NBA, got a house, cars," he said. "I don't really need much else."

Like it or not, he'll be getting something from the Lakers — playing time.

His employers are without two centers, leaving him as the man in the middle, ready or not.

A year and a half ago, Bynum was battling the East Brunswick Bears and South Plainfield Tigers in the Greater Middlesex (N.J.) Conference. Now there's a strong possibility he'll be the team's starting center when the season begins Oct. 31. Kwame Brown is out three to four weeks because of a bruised rotator cuff and bursitis in his right shoulder, and Chris Mihm has not practiced since ankle surgery in July.

By default, it's time to see what Bynum can do.

"Throw him in the pool," said LA Lakers assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was hired specifically to teach Bynum the ways of the game. "He's either going to swim or he'll need to be fished out."

Maybe Bynum will put it all together, as he has in spurts throughout his brief career. Or maybe the guy with the hook should remain poolside.

"I think he's going to do all right," Abdul-Jabbar said. "He seems to be doing the right things at the right time and he's listening better. With all the repetitions, he's starting to understand the lessons.

"He's starting to become a defensive presence. That's really what we need. Initially last year, he thought the game was all offense and all he had to do was go out there and score. He has the potential to be a great shot-blocker because of his length. He doesn't necessarily have to block shots, he just has to discourage shots."

A year ago, the 10th pick in the 2005 draft was shy around teammates and the media. His teammates played around with him, though, putting a blue toddler's chair in front of his locker before a road game and nicknaming him "Socks" because he sometimes wore socks in the shower.

After becoming the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game, Andrew Bynum averaged 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 46 games last season. Through six exhibition games, he is averaging seven points and 3.8 rebounds.

There are areas of concern — he tends to keep his hands at his side while going for rebounds and his post moves aren't refined — but Andrew Bynum is eager to prove he belongs.

"I'm excited to play and I know the fans are excited," Bynum said. "Hopefully I keep getting these minutes and do my job.

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