Why Andrew Bynum's Immaturity Will Derail L.A.'s Title Hopes

Perhaps no player in the NBA has matured on the court more than the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum.

The Lakers have been waiting on Bynum for over six years and he's finally rewarding their patience, making the All-Star team and putting together a dominant season in which he's averaged 17.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG and 2.0 BPG.

To say Bynum has been outstanding would be an understatement, but for all the ways he's matured as a player, Bynum still has a ways to go to mature as a person.

Ultimately it could be that lack of maturity that could cost the Lakers in the long run.

It cost the Lakers in their 107-104 loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

The fact that Bynum got ejected is hardly the issue. Things like that happen throughout the course of a season.

The way Bynum handled it though is an issue.

After getting the second technical and the ejection, it was as if Bynum hardly cared. Before walking off the court, Bynum had a smile on his face as he high-fived teammates on the bench and fans sitting on the courtside seats.

He's still young at 24 years old, but that can't be used as an excuse. Bynum's in his seventh season in the league. He's a veteran now. It's about time he starts acting that way.

What Bynum needs to eventually realize is that things aren't about him. There's a locker room filled with guys that count on him on a nightly basis.

Bynum's had a career filled with immature acts, but after he served his suspension for last season's postseason incident with J.J. Barea, it's been all about his play this season.

That was until Tuesday, when his actions not only hurt the team, but infuriated head coach Mike Brown in the process. Brown told ESPN:

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"He's got to figure out what he wants to do," Brown said. "You got to ask him what his response was to the ref when he had the interaction with the ref, but we need him on the floor. He, nor anybody else right now, can put themselves in jeopardy -- even if it was unjustified or not. That's not what I'm saying here. Nobody can put themselves in jeopardy to get themselves removed from the ballgame."

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Eventually Bynum is not only going to have to step up, but grow up as well. It's fine to play with a chip on your shoulder. That actually makes Bynum a better player.

But actions speak louder than words and Bynum's actions speak volumes about a guy that still has a ton of growing up to do. If he doesn't do so soon, the Lakers could pay the ultimate price.