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**Bartholomew Hunt** · 10-07-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

"I was surprised that he played as well as he did at the start of the year," Newell said. "I think that he was a little confused at the end because he was catching a little hell from Kobe. He was grabbing him by the shirt and telling him what he should and shouldn't have done. That wouldn't help anybody, let alone a young player.

"If [Bynum] does stay with the Lakers, and they don't trade him, they've got to make it clear to Kobe that he's not the coach and he should be positive, not negative, when he makes the mistakes that he made. I don't think he's going to prosper if the older players start to get on him in the court in front of all the people, and that is what happened."

"From the first year to the second year was amazingly different in terms of the steps he made and how much he improved in some areas," Newell said. "The first year he had no idea what he was into. He showed [last season] that the potential is there."

Bynum hit the wall physically once February rolled around, a sudden lack of confidence joining overall lack of conditioning. He ended up averaging 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds.

"Big kids in high school don't seem to need to exert themselves -- getting back on defense, getting up the court on offense," Newell said. "It's something, especially the big player, it takes time for them to recognize they should get down that court. It just is the habit of not having had to do it. He will learn that. He's willing to learn. It's just habits that have to be broken."

Bynum has tried to break some of them on his own.

Chastised byCoach Phil Jackson for apparent lack of work ethicat various points last season, Bynum became more serious in his conditioning.

"I've been hitting the weights, been out there on the track," he said. "My wind is a lot better. I'm a lot stronger. I have a bigger base, so I'll be able to hold my ground in the post."

Still, he is among three centers vying for starter's minutes, trying to beat out veterans Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm to reclaim the starting spot he held for 53 games last season.

"He's definitely looking for his offense. He's an offensive-minded kid," Jackson said. "He makes some big blocks in practice and that's what we want to see -- rebounding and defense is what's going to win it for us in the middle."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...ck=1&cset=true

Pete Newell is the guy that runs in the big man camp in the offseason and is well renowned for it. I'm encouraged to hear this from him. However, I think Newell should stick with technique lecturing rather than leadership. Kobe has a lot of room to improve in this department, but I sure as hell better not see any coddling. That helps nobody, including Baby Bynum. Good to hear the improvements.

Showtime87 · 10-09-2007, 10:31 AM

It's very encouraging to hear good things about Andrew from someone as respected as Pete Newell, though it really doesn't surprise me at all. The vast improvement he showed last year from his rookie season was enough to make me a believer. And from what I've seen recently, it looks like he's definitely put in work in the gym which should only translate to better stamina on the court. I think Bynum is by far the best center on this team and should make it evident by the start of the season. The Lakers front office has essentially been a disaster over the last 4-5 years, but they should absolutely be commended for keeping AB and not being suckered into trading him to Indy this offseason.

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