Andrew Bynum: Latest Fine Shows Star Center Not Cut out to Carry Lakers

Hey, Andrew Bynum! Are you a parking ticket? 'Cause you've got fine written all over you.

No, really, you do. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Los Angeles Lakers have fined you an undisclosed amount for "numerous infractions," and not just the ill-fated Kobe Bryant impression against the Golden State Warriors last month:

Bynum's list of offenses allegedly includes skipping out on a meeting with GM Mitch Kupchak, though one needn't be a rocket scientist to figure out that things are and have been amiss between the Lakers and their young big man for some time now.

After years of fighting through injuries and inconsistency, Bynum appears to have finally arrived this season, staying healthy enough (until suffering a sprained ankle against the Warriors on Sunday) to take his game to the next level and earn a spot as the starting center for the Western Conference squad at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game.

But as Bynum's role with the Purple and Gold has grown, so too has his petulant, or at least it would appear to have so far. Watch Bynum for a game, or a few games or a whole season, and you'll see a guy loaded with talent, the kind of talent that allows him to dominate the competition when he's focused and playing hard.

Keyword: when, because the effort isn't exactly a constant for Bynum. Those same clips will show a guy who tends to loaf from time to time, who takes plays off on both ends of the floor, who oftentimes appears disinterested on defense and doesn't box out, assuming that his superior size will be enough to secure every rebound.

Not that every talented hoopster necessarily should be expected to go hard on every play, like Kobe or Kevin Garnett or Blake Griffin or any other franchise cornerstone.

Except, the Lakers seem to assume that Bynum will be that guy for them when The Black Mamba decides to hang 'em up.

Thus far, Bynum has done little to show that he's capable of carrying the NBA's glitziest, most glamorous brand into a successful future, aside from dunking the ball and putting up double-doubles. His childish struggle against Mike Brown's coaching (and foray behind the three-point line) suggests a a level of maturity far below that of a true leader.

As opposed to Kobe, who's been refreshingly candid about his need to support Brown for his own benefit, as much as that of the entire team.

Of course, one measly fine isn't likely to change Bynum's outlook on the intersection between life and basketball. Neither is a bum ankle, which will keep him out of action against the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday and might hinder his ability to play against the Clippers on Wednesday.

But, these are concerns to be dealt with more thoroughly in the offseason, when Kupchak and Jim Buss have another opportunity to evaluate Bynum's status with the team and (potentially) seek out a trade of some sort.

Because if there's anything to be learned from such a fine, it's that Bynum is not fine as the face of the Lakers for the foreseeable future.

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