Andrew Bynum: It Is Time for Los Angeles Lakers Center to Grow Up



The past few weeks in Lakerland have been quite confusing. The Lakers added Ramon Sessions and traded Derek Fisher to not only improve the point guard position, but to get younger, faster and more athletic. Problem solved, right? Absolutely not. After all, this is Hollywood and what would the Lakers be without some drama.

Andrew Bynum's behavior has been unsettling for the Laker fanbase to say the least. First came the three-point attempt that was heard around the world, which occurred in the Lakers' matchup against the Golden State Warriors on March 27th. Bynum's new-found goal to extend his game to include three-point shots provoked Mike Brown to bench him for the remainder of the game. 

According to ESPN LA's Dave McMenamin, after Saturday's game against New Orleans Bynum first said:

"'I need some more shots, I think,' when asked about his slow start. He then changed his tune and said he got enough touches and was simply trying to rack up 10 assists so he was passing more. He finished with two assists."

McMenamin went on to write:

"[Bynum] was later asked a question about Kobe Bryant's demeanor during timeouts as Bryant struggled through a 3-for-21 shooting game and Bynum pled ignorance. 'I don't take part in the huddles,' Bynum said. 'I'm resting ... getting my Zen on.'

Bynum was ejected from a recent game in Houston after picking up his second technical foul and rather than leaving the court quickly slapped hands with fans sitting courtside before making his exit."

Then came news on Tuesday via ESPN LA that Bynum was fined an undisclosed amount for "numerous infractions" by the Lakers. Apparently, one of the events that caused the Lakers to pull the trigger on issuing a punishment was Bynum blowing off a meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

The thing that irritates the Lakers fanbase more than anything is the phenomenal...

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