LOS ANGELES - Instead of taking umbrage at Andrew Bynum admitting that he's more focused with Pau Gasol out of the lineup, Lakers coach Phil Jackson defended his young center's approach.
Jackson insisted there's a better explanation for Bynum's production increasing so dramatically when he doesn't have to share the block with Gasol than just a lack of concentration.
"It's a matter of productivity," he said. "Who are they going to put on Pau? The biggest guy on the floor? No, they're going to put him on Drew because he's got the size. So for the most part Pau's going to have the advantage situation, so he's going to have more opportunities and he's probably going to be more productive in the post than Drew is."
The discrepancy between Bynum's scoring numbers with and without Gasol is staggering this season. Entering Wednesday's game, Bynum averaged 20.5 points in the 11 games in which he played and Gasol didn't, but his scoring average dipped to 12.5 in the 21 games in which they shared the floor.
That trend continued Wednesday night as Bynum again was the focal point down low against a Clippers team he torched for 42 points and 15 rebounds last January. Bynum scored eight first-quarter points despite frequent double teams, finishing with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
"I get a lot more touches on the block," Bynum said. "We get close to the basket. If they double me, I just kick it out and we swing the ball."
No GM Job in Future
Whatever Jackson's future holds when his contract expires after this season, it appears a general manager position will not be part of it.
Asked whether he could ever envision having both the coach and general manager's role as Mike Dunleavy has with the Clippers, Jackson said he has "no interest" in ever becoming a general manager.
"I don't want to deal with agents. I don't want to have to lie," Jackson said. "I don't want to throw out there like "lie," but you have to do some negotiating with truth a lot of times, and I don't want to do that."
So Jackson never has to negotiate the truth with his players?
"I tell them they're better than they are," he said, chuckling.
Gasol Pain-Free
Gasol had a pain-free session of stretching and therapy on Tuesday afternoon, another sign this hamstring strain is not as serious as his previous one, according to Jackson.
"If there's no pain that's significant or noticeable, that's a good sign," he said.
Posts
