Delusions Of Grandeur?
If you were to read a news story about a former Los Angeles Lakers center taking credit for teaching Andrew Bynum everything he knew, you’d probably assume it was about Shaquille O’Neal. Especially if you saw a quote like this:
“I’m one of the better defenders in the league and we played against each other every day in practice. I told him if you can score against me, you can score on anyone.”
Of course, Shaquille O’Neal and Andrew Bynum never shared practice time together, so your assumption would be wrong.
No, that quote came from none other than Kwame Brown, the legendary Lakers big man who controlled the paint for them from 2005-2008.
Well, Ok, “control” might not be the right word for the seldom-used and often disappointing Brown, but to hear him tell it he had everything to do with Bynum’s success.
“He’s a grown man now,” Brown told the Sacramento Bee‘s Mike Bresnahan. “He’s grown into his body well. He’s a lot more physical than when he first came in.
“That was my young fella,” Brown continued. “I taught him everything he knows.”
Eh? Kwame Brown? The man who averaged eight points and six rebounds per game in his hay day? He taught Andrew Bynum everything he knows?
Bynum’s response to the absurdity from Brown was very diplomatic. He simply changed the subject.
“Kwame and I are friends,” Bynum said, smiling. “We used to talk about cars. We went bowling, too.”
For the record, Bynum is tearing up the league this season, averaging just under 19 points and 16 rebounds per game. If Kwame Brown taught him how to do that, one might wonder why Brown doesn’t do a little more himself.