Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When the Lakers swapped Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard everyone knew there was going to be an adjustment period. Howard has been the man on every team he’s ever played on so it was going to be a culture shock the second he stepped on the floor with Kobe Bryant. Meanwhile the city of Philadelphia was going to have to learn to root for an immature and temperamental yet talented big man. Growing pains across the board.

Thus far neither transition has yielded the desired results with the Lakers stumbling their way to a sub .500 record and the 76ers being unable to keep Bynum out of bowling alleys.

But if you were expecting Bynum to be salty about his trade away from L.A. you’d be wrong. In fact Drew was given the wish he badly desired which was to escape the ring-filled clutches of Kobe Bryant to spread his wings elsewhere. In fact, Bynum’s gone one step further in giving Howard some advice so as to see he transitions smoothly into his new surroundings.  Before the Lakers’ handed the Bynum-less Sixers a 111-98 L yesterday Drew offered his two cents on what Howard can expect during his time in Los Angeles.

“I think Dwight’s a great player, but he’s going to have to get accustomed to playing with Kobe, obviously, and not touching the ball every single play.”

Bynum even went as far as to say playing with Kobe “stunted” his growth. Bryant actually agreed.

“Oh, for sure. Because when you’re playing with me, you obviously have to sacrifice something. It’s the same thing with me and Shaq. You kind of offset each other.”

For Bynum sacrificing touches of the ball for the mega-million dollar contract the Lakers gave him plus those two rings he earned as part of two title teams must have been difficult. Luckily he’s now in Philly where, once he’s healthy, he’ll be able to lead a middle of the road franchise to disappointing playoff exits. That’s well worth being known as the man around town I’m sure.

The Kobe ball hog smack is tired. Dude just joined one of the most exclusive clubs there is in all of hoop when he put his 30,000^th point in the record books last week. Last time I checked a scorer that skilled should take as many shots as he sees fit. Are some ill-advised? Yes. So too are the ramblings of immature millionaires that care more about being recognized as a star than they are about winning.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Kupchak might not be a stock broker but he’s got a day trader’s sense of when to buy and sell when it comes to NBA personnel. The best GM in the game pulled off yet another miracle trade this offseason by acquiring Dwight Howard while giving up only Andrew Bynum.

At the time the move seemed risky given Howard’s back and Bynum coming off the healthiest season of his career. And while the Lakers haven’t shown much benefit from the services of D12 they’ve certainly gotten more from him than the Philadelphia 76ers have from Bynum.

This Sunday the Lake Show makes its one stop in Philadelphia this season where they’ll see former teammate Bynum. Of course he’ll be in a suit as he’s been all year long.

The city of Philly is still waiting for Drew to make his debut. After making it through all of last year with no major setbacks many assumed Bynum had turned a new page. But Drew being Drew there’s nothing new.

More knee problems have prolonged his absence and in typical Bynum fashion there is an element of the immature. One of Bynum’s recent setbacks was exasperated by a bowling incident. Nothing much more needs to be said as Laker fans are all too familiar with the baggage that comes with Bynum.

Still it is the 76ers that are in better shape than the Lakers as evident by the standings. While Philly is on the outside looking in at the playoff picture they are tied for the 8^th seed in the East and are above .500. The same cannot be said for the woefully underachieving Lake Show.

The Dwight Howard effect hasn’t taken this team to the heights most expected. So in many regards the Lakers have gotten no more from Howard than the Sixers have from Bynum.

None the less Kupchak sold his Bynum stock at the exact right time. Imagine going through this tumultuous season with Drew sitting on the sideline in street clothes. Overall the Lakers played their hand perfectly with the acquisition and eventual sale of Bynum.

All that remains to be seen is what Dwight Howard will decide once the season is over. If Howard walks then the Bynum trade will prove fruitless as a one year rental of a franchise big man is not what Kupchak was looking for. Also, if Bynum can get healthy and play at an All-Star level again then he could take Philly into contention in the East.

For now the Lakers are the winners in this deal if for no other reason than addition by subtraction. But just who gets the last laugh will be determined only in the final standings. At the moment it’s the Lakers that are looking up at the 76ers in that department.