LOS ANGELES – There are still some Lakers fans looking for closure, even though Shaquille O’Neal’s departure happened years ago.
Think of a bad breakup — the good moments linger in the back of your head.
O’Neal provided spectacular moments, most notably the dunk to punctuate the unprecedented come-from-behind victory against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference finals en route to the first of three consecutive NBA titles.
O’Neal’s departure, via a trade to the Miami Heat, left a considerable hole inside, perhaps the reason for Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak’s reluctance to trade then-teenager and 7-footer Andrew Bynum — something that seemed very possible in the offseason.
It has taken a couple of years for Bynum to settle in as the new big man, but it appears to have been worth the wait.
Bynum had 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting to go along with nine rebounds and six blocked shots to supplement Kobe Bryant’s 32 points in a 113-92 victory over the Clippers on Sunday night.
On Friday against Golden State, Bynum had 17 points and 16 rebounds.
After the game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson complimented Bynum’s performance but still was cautious.
“I thought Andrew did a good job in the first quarter,” Jackson said. “(He) stayed on (Clippers center Chris) Kaman and made it tough for him. He (Kaman) shot a low percentage tonight ,and that helped us in this game.
“His (Bynum’s) weaknesses I don’t want to talk about, but most of it’s stamina-related.”
Bynum credited special assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for his success.
“Just working with Kareem, backing up and not giving up my body,” Bynum said. “I have a height advantage, and I’m closest to the rim.”
Bynum’s six blocked shots also could be credited to doing some homework before the game.
“Watching film before the game helped out; I was able to time their shots,” Bynum said. “I know (Kaman) likes to go one way and come back the other, and I was just trying to time it to put my hand in … the path of his shot, and it just worked out.”
When asked what would come first — a 20-point, 20-rebound game or an Abdul-Jabbar sky hook — Bynum laughed and said a 20-20.
Kind of like Kupchak’s vision, in hindsight, regarding Bynum.
– Miguel A. Melendez, The Orange County Register
