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Drew, this is exactly why they traded you cause it’s not a question of your talent,

it’s you immature actions that’s the problem…

PHILADELPHIA – Andrew Bynum played seven seasons with Kobe Bryant as his

teammate before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. He shared

success with his fellow prep-to-pros product, making three NBA Finals, winning

two championships and even both being named All-Stars last season.

But by the end of his time in L.A., Bynum felt that Bryant’s ball-dominant ways hurt

his development as one of the league’s best centers.

“I thought it really helped me a lot obviously at first, because he draws so much att-

ention it’s hard for guys to double team and key on you, so it helped me tremendously,”

Bynum told a group of L.A. reporters before the Lakers played the Sixers on Sunday.

“Later, I felt I was able to get the ball more and do more things with the ball, so I

could definitely see how it could stunt growth.”

Despite not logging a minute with his new team yet because of knee problems, By-

num still has a very high opinion of where he currently ranks among the game’s

big men.

“Personally I think they traded No. 1 for No. 2,” Bynum said, referring to the Lakers

acquiring the 27-year-old Dwight Howard as the major part of the four-team ex-

change that landed him in Philly.  The 25-year-old Bynum warned that Howard will

have to get used to the balancing act of playing alongside Bryant.

“I think Dwight is a great player, but he’s going to have to get accustomed to play-

ing with Kobe and not touching the ball every single play,” Bynum said.

Of course, Howard is getting the chance to make those adjustments by being on

the court. He hasn’t missed a game all season after undergoing back surgery in

the offseason. Bynum, meanwhile, has yet to suit up for the Sixers but sounded

optimistic about his health on Sunday.

“Actually I’m feeling better and the pain is down in both knees, which is good,”

Bynum said. “But, there could be something floating around in there.”

Bynum has an MRI scheduled for Thursday in New York City to examine both

of his knees. He said his right knee has improved considerably, but he is still

feeling discomfort in his left one.

“The update really is I’m feeling much better, I would say, than the initial state

of injury,” Bynum said, detailing how he has been able to add shooting drills to

his rehab process. “When I see the doctor, hopefully I will be cleared for impact.”

Bynum has yet to be able to run, however.

“I’m going to have to work extremely hard to get back into form,” said Bynum

who also revealed that he wasn’t sure if his offseason trip to Germany to receive

Orthokine therapy helped him or hurt him. “Obviously I’ve been off for quite

some time now. It’s kind of ridiculous. But, I’m just looking forward to getting

back on the treadmill and running for the first time this entire summer.”

Bynum could still not pinpoint the exact stress that caused his knees to become

hurt in the offseason, noting that whatever happened came during his regular

offseason training regimen.

“I don’t think it was avoidable,” Bynum said. “I just think it’s something I have

to go through.”

While Bynum has been sidelined, he’s paid attention to the struggles of his for-

mer team. However, the only teammate he’s kept in touch with is Pau Gasol and

he also hasn’t spoken to Howard since the trade.

“They’re just struggling,” Bynum said of the Lakers’ 10-14 start to the season.

“They got injuries and they’re not posting the ball, so, that’s tough too.”

Bynum wasn’t done there.

“They got to make a commitment to defense, No. 1, and No. 2, I think they’re going

to have to post the ball within a system that’s going to do that,” he said. “Obviously

the talent is there to win a championship from a starter’s point of view, anyway. I

think they struggle a little bit off the bench, so that kind of hurts, too.”

Bynum said he has “no regrets” about the path that led him out of L.A. He added

“my time is done there” and that the location of where he plays isn’t as important

to him as him being healthy enough to allow him to play.

“It doesn’t really matter to me where I play as long as I get to,” Bynum said.

The Lakers play the Sixers again New Year’s Day, so it is very unlikely Bynum will

get the opportunity to play against the only other team he’s played for in his eight-

year career.

“You want to play against your old team always,” Bynum said. “It’s just a shame.

I don’t know when I’ll be back. I guess I’m just excited to play any game at this

point.”

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