Monday, September 22, 2008

All-NBA team in Bynum's future?


This upcoming season should bring in one change from the last couple of years, an opening in the all-nba center position. In the last two years, the center position in all 3 all-nba teams was all but decided before the start of the season with Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, and Amare Stoudemire assured of getting the honors. This year, however, Amare Stoudemire is expected to play power forward for the entire season next to Shaquille O'neal. Last year Amare played center for most of the year, only shifting over to power forward after the acquisition of the Diesel. With Amare's departure from the center position, a spot has been opened up for what seems like a plethora of candidates. Chris Kaman, Al Jefferson, Tyson Chandler, Shaquille O'neal, and the Lakers' very own Andrew Bynum are all in the running. Last year, the 4th-6th vote getters were Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace and Tyson Chandler. Marcus Camby, much like Amare, will be shifting over to power forward next to Chris Kaman, taking him out of the running.
If Bynum can play with the same productivity and efficiency that he showed in 35 games last season, he appears to be the leading candidate. He'll be on a high profile team for what should be a top team. Chris Kaman must prove that he is more than an average center on a playoff team. Playing huge minutes for a losing cause diminish the quality of his numbers last year (not to mention the lack of rebounders around him). Al Jefferson, coming off of a 20/10 season, would seem to be a better candidate but if his Wolves fail to shock the NBA world by making the playoffs, his candidacy will be faced with an insormountable obstacle. Tyson Chandler, despite playing for title contender, has never played at the level that Bynum was showing last year. The award appears to be Bynum's for the taking.
The only question that needs to be answered is the amount of touches he'll get playing next to Pau Gasol. Bynum will still get his blocks and rebounds, probably even more rebounds with Gasol playing near the rim next to him instead of "rebound thief" Lamar Odom. His points, though, are anything but a sure thing. Bynum will still get his fair share of second chance buckets, alley oops, and easy lay ins. The amount of times he'll be given the ball in the post as the inital scoring option is anyones guess. Before going down, he was the best post option. That isn't the case anymore with Pau. If Pau is able to transform his game towards the perimeter (something that seems beneficial to his game), Bynum will be able to roam free inside. With two smart players, it shouldn't be an issue. Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

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