[95] On March 19, Bynum had season-ending arthroscopic surgery on both knees, ending his 76ers tenure without appearing in a game for the franchise. Eligibility restrictions apply. OAKLAND I asked Kobe Bryant what he thought about Andrew Bynum launching that 3-pointer that got Bynum benched by Lakers coach Mike Brown on Tuesday night. In the final year that high school players were allowed to jump straight to the NBA, the LA Lakers selected Andrew Bynum with the 10th overall pick of the 2005 NBA draft. Andrew Bynum Position: Center Shoots: Right 7-0 , 285lb (213cm, 129kg) Born: October 27 , 1987 (Age: 35-184d) in Plainsboro, New Jersey us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 1x All Star 2x NBA Champ 2011-12 All-NBA 17 21 17 SUMMARY Career G 418 PTS 11.5 TRB 7.7 AST 1.2 FG% 55.6 FG3% 11.1 FT% 69.0 eFG% 55.6 PER 19.6 WS 37.4 What makes Bynum's numbers even more impressive is that they . He said his right knee has improved considerably, but he is still feeling discomfort in his left one. After three straight West banners and two consecutive NBA championships, the order was upset whenAndrew Bynum finally usurped Pau Gasol as L.A.'s best big man and perhaps the Lakers' most effective weapon. F------ ship his ass out,". [7] In his junior year of high school Bynum averaged 16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.0 blocks. An amateur video surfaced that showed Kobe bashing Bynum left and right, wishing hed be shipped out of town. Bynum missed the entire 201213 season because of knee problems. Posted by Love Sharing on 2017 m. rugsjo 24 d., sekmadienis. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Kobe wouldn't be in a better place. "[74], On April 11, Bynum grabbed a career and an NBA season-high 30 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs to become the fifth Lakers player ever to register at least 30 rebounds in a single game. That passion was robbed from him; it's not like it never existed. Bynum said he would make the same decision again to delay the surgery until after his vacation, even with the knowledge that it would cost him a portion of the upcoming regular season. Eberhardt: What do NBA assistant coaches do during games? It was reminiscent of one of those Most Interesting Man in the World advertisements: "I don't always shoot 6-for-28 from the field, but when I do, I become the youngest player in league history to score 28,000 career points.". He did not trash Bynum at all, just simply stated they should have sent him out because "This is Jason Kidd were talking about." It was hoop talk, not trash talk. I think he was testing the limits of his game, Bryant said. Void in ONT. [20][21] He played in all 82 games during the season and started 53, finishing with averages of 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just over 21 minutes per game. Andrew Bynum Named Western Conference Player of the Week Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com. The demos of the NBA Live reboot were plagued with many issues and when videos of the Laker center freezing at . He gave his best. [91][92] He did not practice or play with the team prior to the season, and suffered another setback after injuring his left knee while bowling. Not that Kobe expected anything less. Andrew Bynum became the youngest player to ever appear in an NBA game when he debuted for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. He acknowledged that his doctor told him in advance that he might need more repair to the knee based on findings once the surgery began. [70] On March 28 against the Golden State Warriors, Bynum was benched by coach Mike Brown for the remainder of the third quarter after attempting an ill-advised three-point field goal with 10:05 left and the Lakers leading 5650. The Lakers wouldn't be in a better place. The Lakers went to the NBA Finals that season but lost to the Boston Celtics. ", If you know anything about Bynum, the math checks out. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Andrew Bynum. The top Kobe Bryant teammates ever | HoopsHype Bynum's skeletal structure wasn't big enough to support his massive frame, and what's followed is a compilation of surgeries, pain and lost games. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. [96][97], On March 1, with swelling in his right knee, he conceded he might not play by the end of the season, although he said his left knee was fine. Indeed, there is more than one person from the Lakers inner circle fearing that Bynum is selfish at the core and cares more about his scoring stats than winning another championship. [68] He was selected as a starter to his first All-Star Game. LOS ANGELES -- There is a certain standard of excellence that Kobe Bryant chooses to surround himself with. "Same thing with me and Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal). The Lakers did win this game barely despite Bynum playing only five minutes of the second half.And its imperative to note that Bryant needed to try those tough shots and miss at some time previously if he ever was to make them now. Bryant was playing with a right knee of his own that was in disrepair and required him to have it drained three times during the playoffs. LeBron James, Miami Heat. OAKLAND - I asked Kobe Bryant what he thought about Andrew Bynum launching that 3-pointer that got him benched by Lakers coach Mike Brown on Tuesday night. Well address it as a team, as a unit, to make sure everybody is on the same page, Gasol said. Thus, Bryant played with an injured pinkie and later a hurt index finger on his shooting hand throughout the 2009-10 campaign. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). But concerns over his maturity and attitude became a problem, and his career would spiral from there. Jackson was limiting Bynum's minutes in an attempt to minimize his risk of injury. He then ran down the court and shoved O'Neal with his elbow, who retaliated by elbowing Bynum's upper chest. Bynum ended the season tied with Oklahoma City All-Star guard Russell Westbrook at 10th overall in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) with a PER of 23.00. [69] Bynum was awarded Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the second time of his young career for games played Monday, March 12, through Sunday, March 18. Although Bynum averaged just 19 minutes against the Magic and their center Dwight Howard, the Lakers won the championship. [39] NBA Power Rankings: Can the Warriors join the league's elite? [47] Postponing surgery until after the playoffs, Bynum appeared in all 23 of the Lakers' playoff games, averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. On January 26, 2007, he had a career-high seven blocks and a season-high 16 rebounds against the Charlotte Bobcats. He had originally intended to go to UConn but instead opted for the NBA. [24] Bryant was also shown on an infamous amateur video saying that center Bynum should have been traded for Kidd. He never liked it that much in first place. He also gave LA a necessary rebounder against the Boston Celtics frontcourt of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in the NBA Finals. The Lakers play the Sixers again New Year's Day, so it is very unlikely Bynum will get the opportunity to play against the only other team he's played for in his eight-year career. My 4 favorite team hauls from the 2023 NFL Draft, 5 rebuilding teams that nailed the 2023 NFL Draft. One injury appeared to change that, though. Everything went wrong for the Lakers when Kupchak broke up the Kobe-Bynum pair, and everything would still have gone wrong if he hadn't. He was spotted rolling up to Staples Center on Christmas in a new, black Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, which has a sticker price of $387,000. Despite the hair and the fact that he hasn't logged a minute with his new team yet because of knee problems, Bynum still has a very high opinion of where he currently ranks among the game's big men. Yes, yes and yes: The rest of the NBA should also be scared to death that Andrew Bynum is becoming more and more like Kobe Bryant. "Personally I think they traded No. Bryant, who said he met with Bynum for 3-4 minutes after he put up 34 points in the Lakers' 111-98 win over the Sixers, was not offended by his former teammate's remarks. [79][80] He became widely mentioned along with Howard as being the top center playing in the NBA. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson smartly managed Bynums minutes during the playoffs. Bynum was born in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. [19] His first career double-double on November 7 included a season-high 20 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks against the Minnesota Timberwolves. "The thing that I like about him is that he has an engine inside of him and he wants to do well, he wants to dominate. I was in that position, and obviously I have a lot of experience in dealing with myself and playing with Shaquille when Shaquille was young and being mentored by Phil (Jackson) and things like that. [8] During his junior and senior year at St. Joseph High School, Bynum finished his high school career averaging 19.2 points, 14.9 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks in 32 appearances. Kobe Bryants High School Teammates Witnessed the Early Stages of Mamba Mentality: He Bordered on Psychotic. 5 rebuilding teams that nailed the 2023 NFL Draft. If a potential Prize winner forfeits or does not claim a prize, the prize will be re-awarded. At least Dwight was on the court most of the season. Even though Bryant had all but given up on Bynum in the summer of 2007, when he told a fan toting a camera in a grocery store parking lot that the Lakers should "ship his a-- out" to acquire Jason Kidd, he has come around. Miraculously, Orlando won that massive trade despite being the only team that didn't get an All-Star back. The Basketball Gods, though, or whatever governs basketball (il)logic, had other ideas. max-width: 100%; It was a glitch in the the never-released EA Sports video game NBA Elite 11. Related Topics . Well, just imagine if Anthony Davis, instead of politely requesting a trade, hoisted up half-court shots every time he touched the ball in practice as a means of facilitating his departure from the New Orleans Pelicans. The player once dubbed Baby Shaq got off to a memorable start in his NBA career, being chastised by Kobe Bryant before he ever took the floor and shortly thereafter establishing himself as perhaps the most promising young center in basketball. Surprise: Andrew Bynum didn't work out in Cleveland. [9] He originally planned to attend the University of Connecticut on a basketball scholarship; however, the 17-year-old made the decision to go directly into the NBA and made himself eligible for the 2005 NBA draft,[10] where he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers. So the Lakers are not normal, they are exceptional. Bryant didnt draw any comparison between those shots and Bynum needing to try 3-pointers, but it was implied from something else Bryant said about Bynums game. No, Jesus Bynum was not a nickname for Andrew Bynum a two-time NBA champion and teammate of Kobe during one of his wacky hairstyles and phases. It is ONLY a recommendation and free of choice. "When I see the doctor, hopefully I will be cleared for impact.". The blocked shots broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's franchise record of nine, and tied the NBA playoff record set by Mark Eaton and Hakeem Olajuwon. Odds and lines subject to change. ", He doesn't want it bad enough. Andrew Bynum - Wikipedia He was also diagnosed with a bone bruise to his right knee that was unrelated to the treatments he received. I don't know when I'll be back. What Really Happened To Andrew Bynum? It's not like those were pain-free years, either. He was born on June 6, 1974 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Deacon Aaron Bynum and Eldress Kathryn (White-Bynum) Pollard. [108][109] Coach Frank Vogel planned to give Bynum one to two weeks of practice before evaluating if he was ready to play. Jackson often chose to go with rotations featuring Pau Gasol in the middle and Lamar Odom as a point forward. As impenetrable as Bryants force field of ambition appeared back then, he did feel the lack of faith and does remember the slights. Bynum played 35 games and started in 25 games during the season. Fun fact: he was booed on opening night that year by Lakers fans. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. Kobe Bryant - Wikipedia And Bynum began to crumble, especially when the Lakers' clock hit midnight and they got swept out of the playoffs by the Mavericks. While Bryant thrived, the Lakers did not and finished with a 34-48 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. No one likes being in the hospital or the rehab that comes later, even if you're getting paid millions. They are above it. Andrew Bynum's irreconcilable differences withbasketball. Remember Andrew Bynum? The Rise and Fall of Former Los Angeles Lakers Star Andrew Bynum Kobe Bryant wasn't convinced because, well, you can never convince Kobe he's not the best option. The new coach believed Bynum could become an All-Star, and perennial All-Star center Yao Ming had retired and Tim Duncan's skills were declining. Bynum has one older brother, Corey.[4][5]. Before Bynum was thrown out of his final practice and suspended, he was shooting the ball every time he touched it in a practice scrimmage, sources said from whatever remote part of the court he had caught the ball. Andrew stands at 7ft (2.13m) tall, while he weighs approximately 285lbs ~ 129kgs. Andrew Bynum - Basketball-Reference.com In fact, he agreed with them. "I'm going to get it taken care of, and then everything is supposed to be cool. Bynum: Kobe stunted my development in L.A. 'That was crazy, no cap': How one wild sequence helped the 76ers steal Game 1, 'Aggressive' Harden takes over as 76ers stun C's, Suns' Paul leaves G2 loss with left groin tightness, Horford: Celtics let up defensively with Embiid out, Butler gets treatment on ankle; still iffy for G2, LeBron 'locked in' as rivalry with Steph resumes, Calipari thanks Bryants for package honoring Gigi, 'It's going to be epic': Stephen Curry and LeBron James face off -- again, Tigers coach fumes at Zaire v Dwyane comparisons after loss, Pregame chats, language arts and 'a lot of fines': Inside NBA player-ref dynamics. The Lakers got Dwight Howard in return,. "They're just struggling," Bynum said of the Lakers' 10-14 start to the season. Bynum struggled his rookie season, appearing in just 46 games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in a little more than seven minutes per night. [104], On January 7, 2014, the Cavaliers traded Bynum, a future first round draft pick, two future second round picks, and the option to swap first round picks in 2015 to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng. It was his body. [64][65], Jackson retired from coaching after 201011, and Mike Brown was hired as his replacement. But people want to make a quick buck because Kobe hate is popular in some circles. After they selected him in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft with the 10th overall pick, the 7-foot-0-inch (2.13m) center won two NBA championships with the team in 2009 and 2010. The Hook: Kobe, Bynum and the death throes of LA's mini-dynasty Prada: Streaking Golden State Warriors blending old with new Dennis Rodman's North Korea dream team roster is spectacular Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol: Frontcourt Duo More Important Than Kobe Bryant Heres Adrian Wojnarowski in 2014, back then with Yahoo Sports. Bryant hinted that Brown overreacted by immediately walking down the bench and pointing at Josh McRoberts to replace Bynum then benching Bynum again early in the fourth quarter when he kept dominating the offense to little avail. "I'm going to have to work extremely hard to get back into form," said Bynum who also revealed that he wasn't sure if his offseason trip to Germany to receive Orthokine therapy helped him or hurt him. You thought that the last week in the NBA was crazy? It looked like Mitch Kupchak had not only successfully navigated the troubled seas of Kobe's twilight, but had pulled off a Westian heist in the process. Andrew Bynum could've been greater Though the Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers in the following round, it was a pretty good postseason performance for Bynum. Shaq ripped a giant lasagna fart on the air and had to air out the studio, The entire NFL screwed up by letting the Eagles win the draft so easily. Bynum could still not pinpoint the exact stress that caused his knees to become hurt in the offseason, noting that whatever happened came during his regular offseason training regimen. [62] After the Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets in the first round, 42, Hornets head coach Monty Williams said, "Kobe's Kobe, but I thought Bynum decided the series. NBA Basketball Professional sport Sports . The New Jersey native averaged 1.2 blocks in just 18.1 minutes per game during the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers shipped Andrew Bynum, who was still just 24 at the time, to the Philadelphia 76ers in August 2012 in the four-team deal that brought Dwight Howard to LA. Kobe Bryant on Andrew Bynum, sacrifice and his contract [61] Bynum ended the season averaging 11points, 12rebounds and 2.4blocks after the All-Star break. Although knee injuries that had plagued Andrew Bynum since he was 12 years old continued to surface, the youngster was getting better each and every year. Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant and what never couldbe, The entire NFL screwed up by letting the Eagles win the draft so easily. His inability to stay healthy and concerns about his desire and mental health and attitude have always been there. NBA News: Andrew Bynum Will Undergo "Kobe" Treatment Needless to say, he didnt have much to offer when news of Andrew Bynums knee issues arose in May 2010. [11] After selecting him in the draft, the Lakers hired Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to work with Bynum. That Bynum's attempt to resuscitate an injury-savaged career didn't pan out hardly registers as a shock. So nobody wants to be a chump.". This was so controversial when it came out because it was the same summer when Kobe had demanded a trade. This is the paradox of the Kobe Bryant-Andrew Bynum relationship. He led the Lakers to a 31 week, leading the West in rebounding (14.8 rpg) and placed second in scoring (27.5) while shooting .665 from the field (fourth in the Conference). So nothing really rattles me.. Two years later, Bynum enjoyed the best season of his career, earning his first and only NBA All-Star nod, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. [37] On the next night, January 22, versus the Washington Wizards he scored 23 points to go along with 14 rebounds. 15 years ago, Kobe Bryant criticized the Lakers for not - Reddit The Lakers usually don't succumb to the same problems other teams have. During Brown's interview for the position, Lakers executive Jim Buss said Bynum needed to receive the ball inside, and Brown planned for Bynum to get the ball "more than what he did in the past." "I think Dwight is a great player, but he's going to have to get accustomed to playing with Kobe and not touching the ball every single play," Bynum said. Cleveland, desperate for talent in the ugly on-court aftermath of LeBron James first Decision, didnt expect Bynum to regain the form that made him an All-Star with the Lakers, but at the very least saw him as a low-risk, high-reward signing capable of sopping up minutes in the middle. He was expected to back up All-Star center Roy Hibbert along with Ian Mahinmi. The Lakers laugh at organizational mortality. As a senior, he averaged 22.4 points, 16.8 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game. That's essentially been the chief narrative surrounding Bynum the last two seasons. After a while, it started to feel like a taunt. OAKLAND I asked Kobe Bryant what he thought about Andrew Bynum launching that 3-pointer that got Bynum benched by Lakers coach Mike Brown on Tuesday night.I think he was testing the limits . Andrew Bynum Wrong About Kobe Despite Mamba's Agreement Bynum practically had no choice but to play. He shared success with his fellow prep-to-pros product . Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). [71][72][73] He was fined by the team around $7,500 for his actions. Bynum averaged 14.3 points and eight rebounds as the third option in the LA offense as the Lakers went on to win the NBA title. As one league source told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! There teams REALLY helped themselves over the weekend and could surprise. 2, I think they're going to have to post the ball within a system that's going to do that," he said. I guess I'm just excited to play any game at this point.". [106] During his time with the Cavaliers, Bynum averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 20 minutes of play. Those concerns were validated when Bynum missed the entire 2012-2013 season and never once suited up for Philly after having yet another knee surgery. 1 for No. The player once dubbed "Baby Shaq" got off to a memorable start in his NBA career, being chastised by Kobe Bryant before he ever took the floor and shortly thereafter establishing himself as perhaps the most promising young center in basketball. Gambling Problem? Aaron Bynum Obituary - Coshocton, OH - Dignity Memorial In his third season, he averaged 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds. "Actually I'm feeling better and the pain is down in both knees, which is good," Bynum said. Bynum would have been in the trainer's room (or the nearest bowling alley). His skill level isn't what gave him the opportunity. Win at all costs. As of early 2020, Andrew Bynum's net worth is estimated at $45 million, while he earned over $70 million in total during his career in the NBA. Report: Andrew Bynum to have 'Kobe treatment' in Germany in September [100] On October 30, 2013, he made his debut for the Cavaliers recording 3 points and 3 rebounds in 8 minutes of play. Andrew Bynum is, unfortunately, just one more what if story. [114][115] As late as 2018, Bynum was still working on an attempted NBA comeback.[116]. Brother Aaron Anthony Bynum age 46, of Coshocton, Ohio passed away on December 17, 2020 at his residence. Along with taking the jab at Kobe for possibly holding him back over the years, Bynum also sent a message to Dwight Howard claiming that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year will also. Andrew Bynum (born October 27, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. Bynum rarely, if ever, complains about his injuries even though his knees have been through so much at this point that he actually ices them before games once he goes through his pregame workout. There is definitely some merit to Bynum's theory that playing alongside Kobe kept the ball out of his hands. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. In September 2008, Bynum said that he was 100% healthy and was ready to participate in training camp, which was scheduled to begin at the end of the month, after working with his trainer. Thats why its not that big a deal to me. It was a role Bynum had previously resisted. [23], After the season, Coach Pete Newell was impressed with Bynum's development, and stated that teammate Kobe Bryant should back off on his negative treatment of Bynum on the court. He was picked up by the Indiana Pacers but played just two games as a backup to Roy Hibbert before yet another knee injury ended his season and, ultimately, his career at just 26 years of age. It's at the heart of his current suspension, too. He's built a remote control car that could go 100 MPH and what was deemed "the George Jetson of computers.". He might be the only player in the NBA who would have preferred a career as a mechanical engineer to one playing basketball, but he never really had a choice. Pau Gasol, who has inherited the co-captain title from Derek Fisher, was more by the book in his reaction, siding with the coaches when it comes to playing the right way. One such injury came during the 2009-10 season, when Kobe suffered an avulsion fracture in his right index finger. He enjoyed fishing, singing, playing his bass guitar . On this date: Kobe, Andrew Bynum dominate Lob City - LeBron Wire Another team may think they can around Bynum, but the last two years are starting to feel like a death sentence for his basketball career. Both Bynum and O'Neal received technical fouls for the incident. To me, everybody kind of frowned when he was shooting that turnaround jumper in the post, Bryant said. On April 5, in a loss to the Utah Jazz, he grabbed a career high 23 rebounds. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. Kentucky's Julius Randle is seen as one of the top prospects in the loaded 2014 draft, but one key measurable throws a lot of doubt on whether his game will translate from college to the pros. [59], On April 12 against the San Antonio Spurs, Bynum hyper-extended his right knee [60] A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam revealed he had a bruised knee, and he missed the last game of the regular season. A teenaged Bynum was the target of trade speculation in a deal that would have sent Jason Kidd to the Lakers, prompting Bryant to be caught on camera saying, "Andrew Bynum? Andrew Bynum? Andrew Bynum's irreconcilable differences with basketball 1, streaking Warriors knocking on top 5, Los Angeles Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, O'Donnell: Andrew Bynum's irreconcilable differences with basketball, The Hook: Sixers, Suns show off the new 1-year rebuild, Joe Johnson keeps killing teams at the buzzer. Lakers: Andrew Bynum, Revisited - Sports Illustrated With the 21 minutes that Bynum played, he scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. In Bynum, Kobe had a great player who was conditioned to defer to the Black Mamba. "I think in the first quarter I had 10, so I guess I was kind of slacking the rest of the game," Bynum said. Eberhardt: What do NBA assistant coaches do during games? The truth is that the Orlando Magic didnt want Bynum in a straight-up deal as they were concerned with his knee issues and the fact that hed soon be a free agent. A sweatshirt hanging in his locker Tuesday was made by Gucci. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Sports: Fear the Sword, from before Bynum's suspension, on how his play was hurting the Cavs. Even in his poor game against Denver in a loss to the Nuggets on Sunday, he managed to set an NBA scoring record. Bynum said he was considering retirement even before this season started, but it would take one hell of a person to turn down $6 million for a few months of work. Bynum had been a McDonald's All-American his senior year at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, averaging 22.4 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks per game. However, the only teammate he's kept in touch with is Pau Gasol, and he also hasn't spoken to Howard since the trade. NBA Power Rankings: Can the Warriors join the league's elite? This doesn't happen to them. Bynum wouldn't be in a better place. A former Lakers player revealed that Jim Buss wanted to trade Kobe Bryant and make Andrew Bynum the leader of the team. People also seem to forget that all those Kobe trade rumours died down because Bynum started playing great, I believe we were second in the West at the time he . [deleted] 6 yr. ago. [2] His parents, Ernest Bynum and Janet McCoy, divorced when he was a one year old. L.A. landed one of the few centers better than a healthy Bynum in Dwight Howard and Bynum landed in a city where he could be the undisputed star. [25][26] Here is a quick look at Thrope's rankings for the Post-Season MVP: Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers. He had the chance to be an elite player and it really never happened, even with the one All-Star selection and the two titles.