The Disappearing Bynum

We all know that this season has been a breakout season so far for Lakers center, Andrew Bynum. With his statistical increase in points and rebounds from last season, everything else he has done on the hardwood has been mediocre at best. Andrew Bynum has been averaging more minutes than last season but it still has not panned out as expected. Being the only true center the Lakers have, why is it so hard for him to average a double double or at least two blocks a game? The answer to that question is mental attitude and with mental attitude, Phil Jackson should be on top of that, being the so-called, "Zen Master."

The mentality that Andrew Bynum brings to the court is, "If I don't touch the ball, I don't want to play, period." That is how I see it at the moment. Bynum seems to disappear at the start of games if he does not get his touches and then he disappears for good. Bynum does not disappear slowly, it happens in an instant, his mind goes blank and it seems like he is just running up and down the court, unconsciously. If he does not get his touches, isn't he entitled to get himself into the game? He could be a beast on the boards if he wanted to or actually play defense. Bynum, with his size alone, should be averaging at least two blocks a game or he should be altering shots at the basket, but he does not. He is always in the wrong position or late for help defense, blame the knee or not, he just has to be in the right position to make a play on the ball, not a play on the offensive players forearms.

All of this can be changed if he just brings a better mental stat into the game. If he does not get his touches, so be it. Bynum can always change the game in some other form, rebounds or defense. The Lakers play the Knicks tonite, so hopefully Bynum can dominate against David Lee. David Lee only being a 6 foot 9 center is still a double double machine. We will have to wait and see how Bynum comes out tonite. Cross your fingers.