I will throw out my WWE reference in response to this idea: REALLY? REALLY? REALLY? REALLLY? No thank you as well in response to this idea. Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star has his own take on the addition of Andrew Bynum, and you can read all about that right here.
“You think David West would let Bynum pull the kind of nonsense he’s pulled in Philadelphia and Cleveland? If this group can keep Lance Stephenson on a leash, it can certainly force Bynum to fly right as the team pursues a title. This is as strong-minded and as close-knit a group as there is in the NBA, much like the Heat. If Bynum has any interest in resurrecting his career and his reputation, he’ll come in here, happily play behind Roy Hibbert and give the Pacers 12-15 quality minutes at center.”
Now this is a point that I do have to agree with Mr. Kravitz in his article defending the idea that the Pacers take a chance on Bynum. You better believe, it would be taking a huge chance at him. I just don’t know if he’s the guy that you want around here that doesn’t seem motivated enough to get better and help improve a team.
That’s why you make a move if you do make a move for someone: to improve upon what’s already working. That point right there, this is working for the Indiana Pacers. Sure, we don’t know what will happen come playoff time, but you can get a great sense that this team is so focused on the big task at hand, why would you tinker with the parts right now?
Even moving Danny Granger back into the lineup caused a little bit of shifting that has finally found it’s way back to where the team was going when you look over the past few performances. Everyone is locked in to what the other is doing. I love seeing Granger and Luis Scola out there in the second unit as they look to be those team leaders on the floor.
You bring in Bynum to make sure he doesn’t get to the Miami Heat? Once again, I don’t buy that as a worthy reason to bring in a guy. You might as well say, the Pacers got Chris Copeland here, so the New York Knicks didn’t have him. I really would have to look if that’s ever been a reason for bringing someone to your team.
This idea does seem like a lot of hot air to get people talking. With the way Bynum has downgraded so much, it doesn’t even seem to be in the Pacers’ plans for what they want to do, so you have to wonder why someone would throw it out there. It’s right up there with the idea of Danny Granger and George Hill for Rajon Rondo. This one might be even more out there if you really want to think about it.
Maybe Andrew Bynum does find that team to help salvage the career he has, but that team won’t be the Indiana Pacers.