Bringing up Bynum

Andrew Bynum is the next big thing. There's a reason Kobe isn't gone yet. Sure, Bryant has the best contract in professional sports - a contract that includes a now infamous no-trade clause. But, the real reason Kobe Bryant is still a Laker is because Andrew Bynum is still a Laker. A brief statistical analysis reveals the following...

Kobe Bryant ended his third season the NBA (1998-99) averaging 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Drew, currently in his third season of service, averages 11.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, and 1.4 blocks per game.

"Big deal!" you say. "Shaq was a monster in his third season!" you cry. (Shaq was a beast by his third season by the way: 29.3/11.4/2.7/2.4). "He's a project!" you plead.

Kobe put up the aforementioned in a stike-shortened 50-game season. He started every game and averaged (averaged!) 38 minutes per game. In this third season, Shaq started each game and averaged 37 MPG.

The difference here comes down to opportunity. Drew has been the Lakers' starting center five of the Lakers 14 games this year. He has averaged 25.6 MPG.

Adjusting these statistics to fit comparable playing time, Bynum would average 16 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 2 APG, and 2 BPG. And this is as the team's third option! In addition, neither Shaq nor Kobe have seen such a skyrocket in statistical averages year-to-year as Drew. Compared to last year his scoring is up 42%, RPG up 71%, while his MPG are only up 16%.

Bynum is not Jabbar. He's not Wilt. He may not even be Shaq. However, at the ripe age of 20 his potential is unmatched in this league. Laker fans are in good hands.