Andrew Bynum got the best of Tim Duncan, although Bynum didn't let on that it was any big deal.
Bynum was better in every which way - even on defense - in a star-studded matchup Sunday against the 11-time All-Star and two-time MVP.
Bynum, for the first time in his career, was the star in a star-studded matchup.
He should've shouted it from the rooftop of the nearby Nokia Theatre. Bynum had 15 points, 11 rebounds and tied a season-high with four blocks on Duncan's watch, but he was excellent on defense, and that is most important if the Lakers are to win an NBA title.
Bynum changed shots and blocked shots and grabbed rebounds in the Lakers' 99-85 rout over the San Antonio Spurs. Beside the Lakers, the Spurs are the best the Western Conference has to offer.
Bynum didn't admit to gleaning any more pleasure from his performance against Duncan. He scored early on a turnaround jumper over Duncan - who's 15 years his senior - and flourished from there.
His confidence showed at the free-throw line, where he made seven of eight shots.
He's shouldered four injury-plagued years of condemnation, some of it justified, some not fit for a teenager's ears. Bynum finally appears to be coming into his own, four months after signing a four-year, $58 million extension.
This game was so big, it brought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out of his second-row seat on the Lakers bench, something he's rarely done during games. Abdul-Jabbar was using his arms animatedly during timeouts, especially after Bynum picked up two quick fouls. Yet, Duncan was worse off, as he already had four fouls late in the third quarter.
The Lakers hired Abdul-Jabbar to mentor Bynum after they drafted him as a 17-year-old kid in 2005. Abdul-Jabbar's prodigy is turning into something special.
He's expecting to get it done,
Abdul-Jabbar said.
Even against Duncan.
Bynum has been on a tear lately. He scored a career-best 42 points in addition to 15 points against the Clippers last week. But that was the Clippers. He answered with 23 points and 14 rebounds against Washington in another blowout on Thursday, and that was in just 27 minutes.
The dandy against Duncan is different.
It was the performance that could give Coach Phil Jackson reason to play Bynum in meaningful minutes late in fourth quarters. Bynum publicly shared his disappointment in this matter, but Pau Gasol still roams the court during the latter part of the fourth quarter and Bynum plays the start of the final quarter. His role is different.
Basically, (I'm) just staying high and not letting anybody get around (me),
he said. When they get around you, you are done.
Gasol agreed Bynum has played well with three consecutive double-doubles, but he says the Lakers need more than that. He knows the challenge for Bynum is to continue what he's starting, to play more aggressively and be consistent.
Bynum has taken his absence late in fourth quarters personally but seemingly wasn't rattled with criticism inside and outside the organization over the last few years. Perhaps that's why he was so darn mellow after the victory over the Spurs.
Andrew is an enigmatic personality,
Jackson said. He doesn't show a lot of emotion. He does get to work, and he's a guy that's learning how to be a pro and he's learned that over the last year. He knows that the job has to be done, and if it's not done, we have to go in another direction.
Bynum didn't even play in the fourth quarter, but that was a product of the blowout and nothing more. He'd already done enough - tying a season-high with four blocked shots for starters - and sat the final 13:17 with ice bags on his knees.
Near the end of the third quarter, Bynum used an explosive step to the basket to get by Duncan, grab a rebound and dunk it. That basket sealed his victory in the one-on-one battle with Duncan.
It took a while for him to accumulate the experience and recognize things and take advantage of opportunities,
Abdul-Jabbar said. Now, he's starting to recognize them and jump on them. He has all the physical gifts, and now he's recognizing it and takes advantage of it. You have to do that. It's starting to happen.
Getting the best of Duncan was a good start.
