Los Angeles Lakers: Happy Birthday Andrew Bynum!

While not the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time, Andrew Bynum had plenty of memorable moments during his time with the purple and gold.

Andrew Bynum had a unique career with the Los Angeles Lakers after being drafted 10th overall in 2005 at 17 years old, making him the youngest player ever selected. The 7-foot center was there for prime Kobe Bryant, and eventually was a big part of the Lakers 2010 redemption championship against the Boston Celtics.

There were times when Bynum looked like the best center in the NBA, and there were also times when Bynum made you scratch your head in utter confusion as to what was going on with him.

Hailing out of St.Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, Bynum came to the Lakers during a time when there were more questions than answers.

Around the time Kobe made is infamous 2007 trade demand to the Chicago Bulls, Bynum was just starting to coming into his own for the Lakers organization. Bynum’s rookie season saw him average 7.3 minutes per game, increasing that number to 21 minutes per game his second season in the league.

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Once Pau Gasol made it to the Lakers in 2008 via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers officially had a formidable twin tower combination and immediately went from a fringe playoff team to a championship contender.

Gasol and Bynum had some great moments together as teammates, helping Kobe bring two banners to Staples Center. Even though Bynum’s career with the Laker became riddled with injuries, as he averaged only 56 games per season during his seven-year career with the purple and gold.

One of Bynum’s most significant moments came January 16, 2006, and although Bynum saw the floor for less than four minutes, Bynum went head to head with Shaquille O’Neal and got the best of him for one play that made the home crowd go wild.

This was in the middle Shaquille O’Neal’s second season with the Miami Heat after being traded away from Los Angeles, so the memories were still fresh for both Shaq and Laker fans, especially with rumors swirling of Kobe “pushing Shaq out”. Things started with Shaq demolishing Bynum on a putback dunk, sending him rolling to the floor.

On the very next possession, Bynum demanded the ball in the post, took one dribble, spun off Shaq and slammed the dunk in. Staples Center erupted as Bynum sprints up the court wholly fired up, shoving Shaq on his way down the floor.

Shaq sent a forearm to the neck of Bynum, prompting officials to stop the play, even prompting Kobe to become a peacemaker and attempting to settle Shaq down.

This was the first glimpse of the star Bynum could become with the Lakers. While he did not do much else during the game, this is when Laker fans began to think “Maybe we didn’t waste our 10th pick on him“.

Bynum did a great job defending prime Dwight Howard in the 2009 NBA Finals, was a big part of the 2010 championship team and made All NBA Honors in 2012. Bynum would go on to have a 30 rebound game, a triple-double with 10 blocks in the 2012 Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets and three-game span with 50 rebounds and 16 blocks in 2011.

While consistency is something Bynum will never be known for, he should always have a special place in Laker’s fans hearts because of what he did contribute. Without Bynum, Kobe’s trade request might have happened, Pau could have gone elsewhere, and the Lakers could very well be sitting at 15 banners.

Next. 10 Greatest Centers In Lakers Franchise History. dark

So from all of us apart Lakernation, we would like to with Andrew Bynum a happy 31st birthday, and thanks for all the memories you brought us.

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