Centers: Officially Dead

During this week that both Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard were knocked out of the Los Angeles Lakers lineup due to injuries, amidst a season that is rapidly nearing an all-star game that for the first time has eliminated the center position from the ballot--this topic seems fitting.

It is very possible that the NBA has reached a point that truly elite, back-to-the-basket centers are no longer viable building blocks.

Center of Attention

The Lakers won for only the third time in December last night in Philadelphia. While they won by 13, it wasn’t particularly impressive considering the Sixers were missing Jrue Holiday. The more interesting takeaway from the game was the comments made by former Laker Andrew Bynum.

As standalone quotes, his words come off a lot more scandalous-sounding then they actually were. That said, Bynum sure did have a lot to say—especially for a guy who has yet to log a single minute of playing time this season.

Let’s break down his quotes…and his logic.

Blake & DeAndre Convo #1,321

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers make up the most athletically gifted front court duo of all time. This season, both have shown vast improvement in their respective games.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 3)

Data from last season shows the opposite of the eye test regarding whether Bynum can carry a team or not. According to John Hollinger at ESPN.com, Bynum spent 20 percent of his time playing without Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol last season (384 minutes). Hollinger’s advanced stat PER indicates that Bynum put up identical numbers and efficiency with a 23.2 PER without Bryant and Gasol, and a 23.1 PER with them.

Of course, Bynum was usually the first starter to sit, and he’d usually come in with the bench squad in the second quarter—meaning, a good many of his 384 minutes without Bryant and Gasol came against other teams’ bench units.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 2)

In the 2011-12 season, the Philadelphia 76ers had an up-and-down campaign because they were an elite defensive team (for half the season) that relied on transition offense triggered by quick, active, pressure defense. Pace-wise, they were one of the slower squads, which was unfortunate because when things slowed down, they didn’t have the types of players who could dominate multiple possessions and make things happen in the half court.

Enter Bynum, who is a traditional, back-to-the-basket, power center who excels in the halfcourt. At first glance, eHarmony couldn’t have found a more ideal partner.

But by both widening the scope as well as focusing in on the details, this marriage could end up closer to Kardashian/Humphries than Grant and Tamia Hill.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 1)

There is plenty of excitement in Philadelphia this year regarding the 76ers, and with good reason too. Trading away Andre Igoudala, amnestying Elton Brand, and bringing in Andrew Bynum, the team got rid of its two highest paid players and began in earnest its youth movement on the broad shoulders of one of the NBA’s best centers.

Having watched about 70 to 80 percent of Lakers games over the course of Bynum’s career, I feel it is important to give a realistic look at how he will fare as the main option/best player for Philly this season.