Bynum close to an extension, still unproven

In the first two previous games, the Lakers have demolished both opponents. The latest blowout defeat came against the Clippers in 117-79 win Wednesday night, seven Lakers scored in double digits including soon-to-be highly paid Andrew Bynum.

Bynum’s 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks were fine a dandy after coming off of a knee injury, but still he hasn’t proving anything by playing in just two games. While it seems like the Lakers and Bynum has agreed in principle on a four-year contract extension worth about $58 million, the extension talks are coming to a deadline

Players under rookie contracts have until Friday to reach a deal on contract extensions. Otherwise, Bynum will become a restricted free-agent next summer. The Lakers certainly don’t want to toss away their future by freeing up a future elite big man.

Bynum, who will make $2.8 million this season, will earn close to $42 million over the first three years of his contract extension. But the fourth year he will become a team option.

For the Lakers, the desire to lock up their big man in a powerhouse western conference isn’t a bad decision, but a four-year extension worth about $58 million is just too much for a player who hasn’t shown much last year.

Although, he showing a lot of poise and strength before sustained in knee injury, Bynum has to still show the same type of intensity late in the season and during the playoffs.

A week ago, David Lee, Bynum’s agent, tried negotiating with the Lakers about a possible extension, but the Lakers weren’t reaching agreements. However, Lee will return to Los Angeles today to formalize the deal.

Lee asking price earlier this week was close to an estimate of five-years $17 million a year, but the Lakers were willing to formalize an $11 million a year over five years.

Before Bynum underwent knee surgery during the off-season, he averaged 17.3 points and 12.3 rebounds in six games. Certainly, the numbers were impressive, but the contract extension isn’t nearly as impressive.

The Lakers are unsure about Bynum’s future, yes he’s an elite big man, but will he still perform like a big man. When players sign to enormous deals, sometimes they have the tendency to slump and underachieve.

Also, Lakerland is unsure about his natural ability under a full season. Bynum has to show the Lakers he can handle playing 80 more games without faltering and has to continue to dominate the boards and dominate the post.

If Bynum proves he can play the big-man role this season, then he’s worth the big-money.

Lakers, Clippers halftime reactions

Baron Davis, striped, stole and created plays in transition for an easy two points, but the Lakers put a halt to the easy two points. They defended the perimeter and the paint and the Clippers without Davis on the floor seemed incompetent.

Meanwhile, when Davis is on the floor, the Clippers seem as if they’re the better team. He’s a prolific point-guard who’s an outstanding playmaker. He created easy shots for Al Thronton, who has 10 points on four-for-six shooting and Davis has nine points on three-for-eight shooting.

Kobe Bryant has four turnovers with seven points on three-for-six shooting, but the bench mob as being the story for the Lakers outscoring the Clippers bench. And the Lakers have outshot the Clippers in three-point shooting, which describes why the Lakers are in front at the half.

49 Lakers 37 Clippers second quarter reactions

Let’s talk bench mob, the Lakers bench has outscored the Clippers 30-4. Trevor Ariza leads the bench with eight points and Jordan Farmer has nailed a pair of threes. Now, Lakers own a 12 point lead.

41 Lakers 33 Clippers second quarter reactions

The Lakers are reliving the “Showtime” era. Sasha Vujacic fires a three-point shot, following Jordan Farmer’s bounce pass to a driving Trevor Ariza for a two-hand slam. Lakers blow the game open to a 41-33 lead.

32 Lakers 33 Clippers second quarter reactions

Kobe Bryant has four turnovers as the Lakers have a total of eight turnovers in the game. With Baron Davis’ quick hands, gives him the ability to force turnovers and create a play in transition.

Tim Thomas has a 11 points and just made a dunk on Ricky Davis assists.

Lakers 30, Clippers 27 First quarter reactions

Baron Davis seems solid in a Los Angeles uniform. He might not be wearing a Lakers uniform, but he’ll last in a Clippers uniform and has lasted dust far in the first quarter. He’s a great playmaker and it has shown, making Al Thronton better and everyone else better.

Davis has collected three-steals and has harmed the Los Angeles Lakers defense. Also Kobe Bryant has been stripped by the Clippers three times. That’s rare for an MVP.

Bryant has seven points in 11 minutes and Davis has five points, while Thronton has looked impressive with nine points.

The Lakers have a slight edge with a 30-27 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lakers stepping up defense epitmomizes big things to come

A year has made a difference for the Los Angeles Lakers. Last year, Kobe Bryant was booed, they lost their season-opener to Houston and in their first 17 games they finished one game above average.

In grander schemes, the Lakers are an epitome of the latest invention. Coach Phil Jackson has emphasized defense and they’ve played defense. No questions, the Lakers should be favorites to contend and win the championship, heck they came close to winning last year without stepping up their intensity level on defense.

The Lakers were interested in acquiring Houston’s Ron Artest during the offseason, but after shoving and bumping their way to 96-76 victory in their season-opener against young-rising Portland, illustrated they’ve had enough weapons to defend.

Meanwhile, Portland didn’t blossom, and there wasn’t a showdown between Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden. The game surrounded the Lakers’ defense and by playing defense they proved they’re championship bound.

Last year, everyone criticized the Lakers softness and their lackadaisical intensity on defense. This year, they indicated they can get in your face, shove, bump and bulldoze their way pass Portland, a team known for giving them a tense battle.

Although, Portland is a young team, the Lakers jumped on them from the gate and never gave them an opportunity to take control of the lead. The Lakers are big, fast, and efficient from outside.

Seemingly everything was purple and gold, the showdown everyone anticipated wasn’t the headline. Oden and Bynum didn’t receive any hype, once Oden left after the second quarter with a sprained right foot.

Playing against a physical Lakers’ defense, Oden finished with no points, four missed shots, two missed free throws, five rebounds in 13 min, fizzling is way back to the bench and causing concerns for the Blazers.

Bynum wasn’t a apologue of the game, collecting just eight points, three rebounds in 13 minutes. The showdown was won by Bynum, a climax which wasn’t worth watching. Instead, the Lakers defense was worth watching, and they are definitely worth watching after improving in a weak spot.

The Kobe show appeared in the second half. He made shots as the crowd in purple and gold responded with cheers. He scored 23 points, 17 in the second half, earning his popularity back after winning the MVP trophy, Olympic gold medal and a Finals appearance.

Pau Gasol, didn’t seem soft, scoring 15 points all in the first-half on seven-for-10 shooting, an ostentatious offense that wasn’t perceived last season.

Now, their offense is discerned after the Lakers held Portland to 35 percent shooting and outrebounded them 49-44.

The Lakers aren’t soft, they’re rigid and there’s a great season ahead for them if they continue their strong efforts, which is defending.

Beast of the west happens to represent purple, gold

Andrew Bynum, the beast of the West. He’s the Los Angeles Lakers seven-foot center and the leagues ferocious beast. Now, the Lakers are dangerous, every team has to be aware of the gigantic seven-foot rising star.

Certainly, Bynum gives the Lakers a legitimate chance at a repeat to represent the Western Conference as he represents the purple and gold, attracting more fans’ and taking pressure away from Kobe Bryant, who scored six points under eight minutes, playing for the first time since sustaining a hyper extended right knee.

Obviously, Bryant’s presence doesn’t matter when there’s a beast playing on the same team.

There’s a healthy big-man in the middle, in fact they have another giant who’s a threat, Pau Gasol, which makes it difficult for any team in the league to defeat the Lakers.

I know it’s only preseason, but preseason is when a team gets an understanding on their upcoming season and the Lakers got their preview on Friday, in a 105-94 exhibition victory against Oklahoma City. Mostly, big plays came from Bynum, who’s emerging before our very eyes.

Seemingly, he’s the next dominate center in the league while Shaq seems washed up with Phoenix. In the season-opener, the Lakers play against Portland. They have a monster in the middle as well, Greg Oden, who is returning from knee surgery, but might not make an impact immediately, he will develop into a star, to where we might see an era of legitimate centers.

With the Lakers and Blazers meeting four times in the regular-season, it should be interesting match ups between Bynum and Oden, though it might take Oden some time to adjust and fully recover.

They’re two potent centers and will terrify their opponents, while waiting for them to drive to the paint. There won’t be much driving to the paint with Bynum nearby as opponents will force jump shots, whether than attempting a sure dunk or lay-up.

That’s how powerful and frighten it is facing a fierce competitor like Bynum, with him the Lakers are contenders to win a championship. And they have a chance to win a least 60 games in the regular-season.

For a preseason game, Bynum produced monster numbers, after scoring 23 points, on 10-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Yes, his dominance puts the Lakers in a good position, in a tough Western Conference.

Bynum had 15 points by halftime, giving the Lakers a 63-53 lead at halftime. He’s so physical in the post, where he pulverized damn near every opponent inside, taking lob after lob and finishing each time with a dunk.

Making baby hook shots, while backing down players into the low post, makes you want to believe this is their year to win it all.

Now, since the Lakers have a beast, which is armed with many weapons, it will make Bryant’s game a whole lot easier.

Bynum has matured and developed into one of the league’s most dominant centers, and gives the Lakers a chance to dominant every team they encounter in the regular-season and playoffs.

It should be interesting to watch Bynum continue to leap, catch and dunk and it should be interesting to watch if the Lakers sign him before Oct. 31 to a five-year contract extension.

But, watching him perform in the playoffs will be the biggest stage of his career and an interesting time for him to prove he’s a true legitimate star.

Still, Bynum is the biggest star entering the season.

Kobe's history amid injuries Lakers don't have reasons to be concern

Anytime a player goes down with any type of serious injury, usually causes a level of concern, unless you’re the amazing Kobe Bryant.

Usually, Bryant falls down paining for a couple of seconds, raises gingerly, then hobbles off the court into the locker room, while Lakers’ fans hold their selective breath concerned about his status.

But a few minutes later, Bryant jets through the tunnel back to the bench, moments later walking to the scores table as if he just came off the bench from a brief rest, not needing assistance or even a wheelchair like his nemesis in last season’s finals.

Boston’s guard Paul Pierce sprinting his way back to the court, after taking a shot to his leg before using a wheelchair. It seems as if Pierce was trying to play mind games with the Lakers and his theory worked, returning to the game to demolish the Lakers with his shocking three-point spurt.

Bryant sat on the bench in street clothes during Tuesday’s preseason game against the Charlotte Bobcats after sustaining a knee injury, confirming the initial diagnosis a hyper extended right knee injury, listed day-to-day.

Still, there’s nothing to be concerned about anytime Bryant suffers an injury, particularly during preseason when games are meaningless. The Lakers aren’t hurting without him and he isn’t hurting.

They’ll need him in next Tuesday’s season-opener against Portland, but if he’s still isn’t back at full strength then they shouldn’t rush his comeback. Missing one game of the regular-season won’t harm the Lakers’ season and they have enough alternatives when he’s limited.

They have there big man Andrew Bynum back, after missing 42 games last season and underwent knee surgery and they have Pau Gasol, two giants who will have to face another giant on opening-night when they play against Greg Oden of the Portland Trialbrazers.

After banging knees with teammate Josh Powell, while going for a rebound off Sun Yue’s missed shot, Bryant injured the right knee.

Coach Phil Jackson isn’t too concern, very confident he’ll return for the season-opener. Of course, Bryant will play in the season-opener. He’s committed to playing basketball whether he’s banged up or just having an off-night.

Rarely, Bryant has an off-night and he rarely misses games while battling an injury. Everyone within the Lakers organization are accustom to seeing their star play through pain.

However, Bryant did not participate in practice, wearing an ice bag on his knee, ready for the season-opener. He’s a contender and he’s definitely going to play next week, seeking redemption after last season’s embarrassing loss to Boston in the finals.

And he’s confident after bringing home a gold medal in the Beijing Games. But, Bryant is just a competitor who has a passion for the game and desires winning. He’s a tough competitor who will play through any injury.

Bryant was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right pinkie finger last season, decided to forgo surgery that could have possibly sidelined him for six weeks. Still, he hasn’t undergone surgery to replace the tear in his finger.

Amazingly, he’s gripping the ball with four fingers, still knocking down shots and dunking in transition or on a fastbreak.

During the Western Conference semifinals last season, Bryant injured back in the opening minutes of Game 3, forcing him to get treatment for his back. He wore an electronic stimulation device hooked up to his sore back and had to days’ rest before playing through the pain in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series.

Eventually, Bryant will need to undergo surgery on his finger before causing further damage. But he’s defied when it comes to playing in a game, challenging his body to play through adversity and has done well.

So, why should we have concern about Kobe, who unlike many players, forgo surgery and play through serve and threaten injuries.

The Lakers don’t have any reason to worry.