Andrew Bynum Finally Gaining Trust of L.A. Lakers & Kobe Bryant?

The Orange County Register reports on Andrew Bynum responding to Kobe Bryant’s infamous cell phone video:

When Andrew Bynum heard about Kobe Bryant’s video comments about trading him, Andrew Bynum said he understood Kobe Bryant’s frustration. "All it did really to me was make me work harder."

My Quick Take: Andrew Bynum has put in work. The rest of this article mentions how the center is slowly gaining Kobe Bryant’s trust by dedicating himself to conditioning and fitness. Two things interest me about this story:

First, Andrew Bynum is far from a lost cause. Centers, unless they’re blue-chippers like Shaquille O’Neal or David Robinson, take longer to develop than other positions. Andrew Bynum also came straight from high school, which further complicates his development. But an improved work ethic will help him eventually evolve into a top five center.

Even if Andrew Bynum realizes his full potential, some Laker fans will always contend that the team should have traded him straight-up for Jason Kidd. There’s merit to their argument, but this is unfair to Andrew Bynum, who had and still has zero control over the purple-and-gold’s dysfunctional front office.

Second, history repeats itself. The O.C story also examines how Kobe Bryant and the Laker coaches tease. Andrew Bynum. Ten years ago, before he was an all-world superstar, Kobe Bryant was often on the wrong end of Shaq’s jokes. This drove a wedge between the teenage star and the rest of the Laker vets; Kobe Bryant was essentially an outsider, hanging with family on the road instead of teammates.

Young NBA players usually get teased by older peers, but the cell phone incident shows there is something between Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant. Their relationship will be worth watching.

How will Andrew Bynum do in 2007-08? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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