Andrew Bynum

No. 17 – Los Angeles Lakers
Center
Personal information
Born	(1987-10-27) October 27, 1987 (age 24) Plainsboro, New Jersey
Nationality	American
High school	Solebury School St. Joseph (New Jersey) West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North
Listed height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight	285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Pro career	2005–present
Career history
2005–present	Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA Champion (2009, 2010) All-NBA Second Team (2012) NBA All-Star (2012)
Stats at NBA.com

Andrew Bynum (born October 27, 1987) is an American professional basketball center who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has won two NBA Championships with the Lakers, and he was a first-time All-Star in 2012. Bynum was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Lakers.^[1][2] He became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year. Amidst the 2007–08 season, he suffered an injury on his left kneecap and eventually missed the rest of the season and all of the playoffs. He made a successful return at the beginning of the 2008–09 season. In January 2009, however, he suffered another injury, this time to his right knee. He was able to come back before the playoffs started and was part of the Lakers squad that won the 2009 NBA championship. In the 2010 post-season, Bynum played in every single playoff game with a torn meniscus and strained Achilles tendon and the Lakers repeated as NBA champions against the Boston Celtics.

Early years[link]

Bynum was born in Plainsboro, New Jersey.^[3] His parents, Ernest Bynum and Janet McCoy, divorced when he was one year old.^[4] He spent summers visiting his father in North Carolina. Bynum has one older brother, Corey.^[5][6]

High school[link]

Bynum attended St. Joseph High School, in Metuchen, New Jersey during his junior and senior year. For most of his freshman year, he attended West Windsor Plainsboro High School North located in Plainsboro, NJ. For the remainder of his freshman year and his sophomore year he attended Solebury School in Solebury, PA.^[7] He was in the 2005 McDonald's All-American game where he tallied 9 points and 5 rebounds.^[8] In his junior year of high school Bynum averaged 16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.0 blocks. As a senior, he averaged 22.4 points, 16.8 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game.^[9] During his junior and senior year at St. Joseph High School, Bynum finished his high school career averaging 19.2 points, 14.9 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks in 32 appearances.^[10] He originally planned to attend the University of Connecticut; however, the 17-year-old made the decision to go directly into the NBA and made himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft,^[11] where he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA career[link]

Rookie season[link]

Bynum playing in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.

In the 2005 NBA Draft, Bynum was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. At age &1000000000000001700000017 years, &10000000000000244000000244 days, Bynum was 12 days younger than former Indiana Pacers player and current Boston Celtics center, Jermaine O'Neal, the previous youngest player drafted by an NBA team.^[12] After selecting him in the draft, the Lakers hired Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to work with Bynum.^[13] On November 2, 2005, during the Lakers' season opener against the Denver Nuggets, Bynum played six minutes and became the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game at age &1000000000000001800000018 years, &100000000000000060000006 days.^[2][14] During the game, he missed his two field goal attempts but had two rebounds and two blocks.^[15] In his second season, Bynum was still the youngest player in the league,^[16] due to his draft year being the last that a player could be drafted straight out of high school.

In a game against the Miami Heat on January 15, 2006, Bynum matched up against former Laker center Shaquille O'Neal for the first time. At one point, O'Neal dunked over Bynum on a putback attempt. On the next play, Bynum spun past O'Neal and dunked the ball. He then ran down the court and shoved O'Neal with his elbow, who retaliated by elbowing Bynum's upper chest. Teammate Kobe Bryant quickly stepped in between the two. Both Bynum and O'Neal received technical fouls for the incident.^[17]

Bynum showed flashes of dominance but was far from consistent. He had then-career highs of 16 rebounds and seven blocks on January 26, 2006 against the Charlotte Bobcats. His first career double-double on November 7 included a career-high 20 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he had 19 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks on January 5 against Denver Nuggets.

2006–07 season[link]

With Lakers centers Chris Mihm and Kwame Brown injured at the start of the 2006–07,^[13] Bynum served as their starting center. Bynum scored 18 points and had 9 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on October 31, 2006, making seven of his eleven attempts from the field. He appeared in 82 games and started 53 and finished the season with averages of 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, in just over 21 minutes per game. He also averaged 1.6 blocks per game.^[18] During the season, the New Jersey Nets were interested in acquiring Bynum for Jason Kidd.^[19]

After the season, Coach Pete Newell was impressed with Bynum's development, and stated that teammate Kobe Bryant should back off on his negative treatment of Bynum on the court.^[20] Bryant was also shown on an infamous amateur video saying that center Bynum should have been traded for Kidd.^[21][22] The Indiana Pacers also made a trade offer for Bynum.^[23] The Lakers would exercise a fourth-year contract option on Bynum.^[24]

2007–08 season[link]

Bynum on a slam dunk.

Bynum's helped the Lakers start to a 26–11 record, which was at the time the best record in the Pacific Division. Bynum played 35 games and started in 25 games during the season. On Christmas Day against the Phoenix Suns, he made 11-of-13 shots for 28 points to complement 12 boards, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

On January 13, 2008, he suffered an injury during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum partially dislocated his left kneecap when he landed awkwardly on teammate Lamar Odom's left foot while attempting to grab a rebound.^[25] In March, there were reports that he could return before the end of the 2007–08 season or the first round of the playoffs;^[26][27] however, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said that he did not foresee Bynum making serious contributions any time soon in April.^[28] In May, rumors about his return were put to rest when Bynum underwent arthroscopic surgery on his kneecap.^[29] Bynum finished the season with averages of 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks and a .636 field goal percentage.

In September 2008, Bynum said that he was 100% healthy and was ready to participate in training camp, which was scheduled to begin at the end of the month, after working with his trainer.^[30] On October 30, 2008, he agreed to sign a 4 year, $58 million contract with the Lakers.^[31]

2008–09 season[link]

Bynum set a new career high in scoring with 42 points to go along with 15 rebounds (8 offensive) and 3 blocked shots on January 21, 2009 against the Los Angeles Clippers.^[32] On the next night, January 22, versus the Washington Wizards he scored 23 points to go along with 14 rebounds.^[33] During a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 27, 2009, in a double overtime loss against the Charlotte Bobcats, Bynum committed a flagrant foul, fracturing the rib and subsequently collapsing the lung of Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats.^[34] While playing against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 31, 2009, Kobe Bryant had an off balanced shot, fell and collided with Bynum's right knee, resulting in a right knee sprain. On February 2, 2009 it was revealed that Bynum had suffered a torn MCL in his right knee and would be out 8–12 weeks. This was the second straight year that Bynum had suffered a knee injury against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum had averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds in his previous five games, posting five straight double-doubles.^[35]

On April 9, 2009, Bynum returned in a home game against the Denver Nuggets. He went 0–2 in the first half, but finished with 7–11 by the end of the game. With the 21 minutes that he played, Bynum scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.^[36] Bynum and the Lakers would go on to win the 2009 NBA Finals.

2009–10 season[link]

In the 2010 NBA playoffs, Bynum injured his knee in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.^[37] However, he kept on playing, and the Lakers won their second championship in a row.^[38] Postponing surgery until after the playoffs, Bynum appeared in all 23 of the Lakers' playoff games, averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. Teammate Pau Gasol called Bynum's "tenacity remarkable. He gave his best. He sacrificed himself in order to help the team and have a better chance to win the championship."^[39]

Before having surgery on his knee, Bynum attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and vacationed in Europe.^[40] "It's not the most serious (injury)," Bynum said of his torn meniscus. "I'm going to get it taken care of, and then everything is supposed to be cool."^[39] Bynum underwent surgery on July 28.^[40]

2010–11 season[link]

Bynum and teammate Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace) watch a shot along with Manny Harris.

A longer than expected recovery period was needed for Bynum's surgery that caused him to miss the beginning of the 2010–11 NBA season. Bynum gave the Lakers advance notice hours, not weeks, before the opening of training camp. He acknowledged that his doctor told him in advance that he might need more repair to the knee based on findings once the surgery began. Bynum said he would make the same decision again to delay the surgery until after his vacation, even with the knowledge that it would cost him a portion of the upcoming regular season.^[41] Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register and Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated criticized Bynum for his summer activities and not expecting complications based on his history with injuries and recovery time.^[41][42]

Bynum came off the bench in his first game of the season on December 14 in a 103–89 win over the Wizards. He finished with 17 minutes, 1-of-5 from the field, seven points, four rebounds and two blocks. "I feel light-years better than back [in Game 7 of 2010 NBA Finals]," he said.^[43] In his first 24 games played during the season, Bynum averaged 24.6 minutes per game and 27.4 minutes in 17 games as a starter. Jackson was limiting Bynum's minutes in an attempt to minimize his risk of injury.^[44] At the All-Star break, Jackson discussed with Bynum his primary role to defend and rebound—not score. It was a role Bynum had previously resisted.^[45] On March 8, Bynum had his third straight game with at least 16 rebounds and had 50 rebounds and 12 blocks in that span.^[46][47] As the Lakers went 8–0 after the All-Star break, Bynum had 10 or more rebounds five times and blocked three or more shots four times while the Lakers held opponents to just 87 points per game. The Lakers revised their defense to have big men no longer were responsible for the perimeter against guards coming off screens, and Lakers' defenders would instead funnel the plays inside to Bynum.^[48] On March 14, Bynum tied his career high in rebounds with 18 against Dwight Howard and the Magic.^[49] On March 20, Bynum was suspended for two games by the NBA for a flagrant foul on Michael Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves. On April 5, in a loss to the Utah Jazz, he grabbed a career high 23 rebounds. On April 12 against the San Antonio Spurs, Bynum hyper-extended his right knee ^[50] A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam revealed he had a bruised knee, and he missed the last game of the regular season.^[51] Bynum ended the season averaging 11 points, 12 rebounds and 2.4 blocks after the All-Star break.^[45] He returned to the lineup for the start of the playoffs.^[52] After the Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets in the first round, 4–2, Hornets head coach Monty Williams said, "Kobe's Kobe, but I thought Bynum decided the series. He was that good."^[53]

In the Lakers' second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Bynum was ejected in the final game of the Mavericks' four-game sweep for a flagrant foul on J.J. Barea moments after teammate Lamar Odom was ejected for fouling Dirk Nowitzki. Bynum's actions were condemned by the sports news media, and on May 10, he was suspended four games for the next season and fined $25,000.^[54][55]

2011–12 season[link]

Bynum playing at a game in March 2012.

In his first game of the season after serving his suspension, Bynum scored 29 points on 13 for 18 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds, leading the Lakers to a 92-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets.^[56] On January 3 against the Houston Rockets, Bynum had 21 points and 22 rebounds in the first 20-20 game of his career.^[57] He was selected as a starter to his first All-Star Game.^[58] Bynum was awarded Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the second time of his young career for games played Monday, March 12, through Sunday, March 18. He led the Lakers to a 3-1 week, leading the West in rebounding (14.8 rpg) and placed second in scoring (27.5) while shooting .665 from the field (fourth in the Conference).^[59] On April 11, 2012, Bynum grabbed a career and an NBA season-high 30 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs to become only the fifth Lakers player ever to register at least 30 rebounds in a single game.^[60][61] Bynum finished the regular season with career highs in minutes per game (tied NBA 24th overall), rebounds per game (NBA 3rd overall), and points per game (NBA 20th overall). He also finished with the 3rd highest field-goal percentage in the league and 6th overall in blocks per game. Bynum ended the season tied with Oklahoma City All-Star guard Russell Westbrook at 10th overall in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) with a PER of 23.00.^[62] Bynum only missed one game the entire season due to injury (ankle).^[63][64]

In a 103–88 win against Denver in the opening game of the playoffs, Bynum had a triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots. The blocked shots broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's franchise record of nine, and tied the NBA playoff record set by Mark Eaton and Hakeem Olajuwon.^[65] After the Lakers led the series 3–1, Bynum said, "Close-out games are actually kind of easy."^[66] The Lakers eventually won the series 4–3 with Bynum contributing a career playoff-high 18 rebounds in Game 7.^[67]

NBA career statistics[link]

Correct as of May 21, 2012

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

See also[link]

• List of National Basketball Association players with most rebounds in a game
• List of National Basketball Association players with most blocks in a game

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Find more about Andrew Bynum on Wikipedia's sister projects:
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	Quotations from Wikiquote

• The Official Website of Andrew Bynum
• Career statistics and player information from NBA.com, or Basketball-Reference.com, or ESPN.com